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Apple Businesses Software Linux

Linux for iPod Matures 469

elinenbe writes "The Linux on iPod Project has just crossed a milestone. Currently their firmware works on all ipod models other then the new mini. Sound plays and for many people it has more features then the original iPod firmware!"
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Linux for iPod Matures

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  • by tcopeland ( 32225 ) * <tom&thomasleecopeland,com> on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:20AM (#8776647) Homepage
    ...although, as the announcement [sourceforge.net] says, "Most things seem to be working but there are still some problems with IDE & the framebuffer."

    Wired has an article [wired.com] on this, too.
  • Anyone know enough about the IPOD architecture to say if it would be possible to fix up this linux to play OGGs? All I want for xmas is a cool MP3 player that plays mp3s and oggs :)
    • by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:23AM (#8776662)
      I'll settle for Easter OGGs
    • May I suggest the Rio Karma [digitalnetworksna.com]?
      • Though the Rio Karma has impressive specs for a lower price than the Apple iPod, it still sells far less than the iPod. The reason for this is all about aesthetics. I showed some people the iPod and the Karma at an electronics store, and all of them said that the iPod looked more attractive. Though many websites claim the Karma has a smaller footprint, they fail to point out that, like one person said, it was "thicker than a hockey puck."

        I guess Jobs was right in saying that Apple's competetiors don't "ge

        • I'm a typical slashdot type, hell, programming pays my bills, but i held out on buying an iPod UNTIL the mini came out.

          Why? Because I walk everywhere I go, and the mini is small enough that it fits (when clipped into my jean pocket) above my pager and cell phone. Plus, it's just damn cool. And 4 days of music is more than i need on me at any one time.
        • That's cause the iPod is just a sign for the average person to consume. They have it and for them it signifies: "Hey, look I'm hip." Even the songs they put on, just more signs. "Oh yeah, the Darkness, they rock. They're like Zeppelin."

          The iPod, like most things, is not priced based on it's use or exchange value, just it's sign exchange value.

          Look at the ads for the iPod. They're just a bunch of silhouettes of girls and guys with hip hair cuts holding their iPods over a background of nouveau-retro-colo
          • by Basehart ( 633304 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @02:12AM (#8777217)
            Man, you just don't get it!
          • by Drakonian ( 518722 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @02:25AM (#8777282) Homepage
            Nice rant. But gimme a break. The iPod is extremely valuable. I think it's the coolest thing I've ever owned. Despite paying a lot of money for my 1st gen 5 GB iPod, it's well worth every penny. I use it all the time. It works perfectly. It is an absolute delight to use. It honestly improves my quality of life. Listening on the train, listening while walking home, listening while studying, etc.

            Oh, and even Joe Satriani digs that Darkness tune.

            • by a whoabot ( 706122 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @02:45AM (#8777366)
              I'm not saying that it cannot be truly valuable to anyone. You seem to have use for it, that's good for you. I will give you, or anyone, "a break", for sure for sure. You need not reply if you feel authentic, I can't judge you from here. If you have no regard for the "signs" I describe, then you're obviously on the good side of my rant. And all of us are inauthentic to some extent of course: I, myself, don't feel like some sort symbolically-exuding philosopher-poet in that aspect, far from it, this is just kind of an area of interest for me, tis all.

              I've heard some Satch(at least, I have Live in San Fran buried somewhere, I think I've heard more), but he's hardly a true artist is the musical sense. He's more a guitar acrobat. Perhaps he makes an art out of his acrobatics(or some music-acobatic hybrid), but I wouldn't say he makes much of an art out the music itself. There's a world of difference in relation to the art of the actual music between someone like Mr. Satriani and, say, Pere Ubu. I would stress the difference between musicianship and musicality. And I've never heard the Darkness, actually.
          • by killjoe ( 766577 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @02:39AM (#8777344)
            You left out the biggest one of all.

            Harley Davidson.

            The CEO of harley davidson once said "we are not a motorcycle company, we are a fashion company". People don't buy harleys because they want a good bike they get one because they think it makes them cool and rebellious. This despite the fact 99% of harley owners are doctors, lawyers, assorted actors and politicians. What the heck put on a harley shirt, harley leathers, harley helmet, get on your harley and go to sturgis and hang out with all the other people wearing the exact same clothing and riding the same bikes to prove you are different and cool.

            • People don't buy harleys because they want a good bike they get one because they think it makes them cool and rebellious.

              Fuck that belt-driven piece of shit. So much power loss, and it makes the single part that connects the engine to the drive wheel a regular maintenance replacement. Give me anything else, a chain, (preferably) a shaft, but not that belt. Harley owners are frequently proud of that belt. Can't figure out why, it's the single most annoying point of failure on those bikes.

              I can make an

              • Two points:

                No, you can't make any bike sound like a Harley, unless you don't know what the Harley sound is. A big chunk of that sound is from the angle seperating the clinders, and the sound is copyrighted. You are breaking teh law if you ever sell that bike that you made to "sound like a harley", which probaly just means "loud" to the non-mechanic's ears (even a quiet Harley sounds like a Harley).

                Regarding the "belt-drive" - well, if you like a harsh ride on your "comfy cruiser" then sure, go with a ch
                • Cloudmaster,

                  You're right on all those technical points but...

                  I'm sorry to say that the Harley Davidson company doesnot hold a copyright on the sound. They did try to Trademark it back in the 90's but gave up on that for two reasons.
                  1. its pretty much impossible to trademark a sound
                  2. The metric cruisers didn't really try to copy the sound (they produced engines than were in tune) and so lost the commercial incentive to protect the "sound".

                  But right on abou the belt :-)

                  Rethin
            • The CEO of harley davidson once said "we are not a motorcycle company, we are a fashion company". People don't buy harleys because they want a good bike they get one because they think it makes them cool and rebellious.

              Speaking as a biker, riding a Harley is a unique experience.
              Its powerfull, its loud, it shakes the earth.

              And people get out of your damn way.
              Now, if you don't ride, you can't understand the value of that, but normal bikes are ignored by cars, they change lanes to a lane where you are, they
      • by smilinggoat ( 443212 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:59AM (#8776902) Homepage Journal
        I have had 2 of the lovely little Karmas die on me. RMA'ed the first one after an HD failure only to have it replaced almost a month later by one that skips while playing most of my songs and has repeatedly required formatting just to get it to shut down.

        Once I RMA this sucker for the 3rd time I will sell it and pick up the iRiver iHP-120 [iriveramerica.com] 20 gigs of OGG, WMA, MP3, WAV, plus a remote with LCD, FM radio tuner, and can record into WAV or MP3 in realtime from a built-in mic or stereo line-in. Pretty kickass. Sure the Karma is about $75 cheaper, but for a unit that WORKS, it's worth it.

        Plus, the Karma only has a 90 day warrantee. The iRiver has a 1-year warrantee.
        • by Fizgig ( 16368 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @01:10AM (#8776958)
          I second that. I had one power button failure and then one where the little wheel slipped out of place (if you read the forums, this is pretty common even if you take care of your karma).

          I just got back my third karma today, and it had a sticker saying, "We will respect your initial warranty, but this unit does not come with an additional warranty." Of course, by this point they've had my karma longer than I have (it took 1.5 months to get the second replacement), and the original warranty has expired. Plus, I think it's illegal not to give a warranty on RMA'd products.

          I like that the Karma supports oggs, and it's a fairly nice device, but it's pretty fragile (two external moving parts), and the RMA service is _horrible_!
      • A mini Karma Review (Score:3, Interesting)

        by ebbomega ( 410207 )
        They're having troubles.

        A lot of people are getting Hard Drive errors with their Karmas. I just got mine back from Warranty replacement (after a month-and-a-half wait and plenty of complaining). Mine broke after 2 weeks of use. Apparently, according to the folks at the Riovolution Forum [riovolution.com] a lot of people have had this problem (in the same time frame) and are currently going through Hell getting a replacement. I'm surprised I got mine so quickly.

        Aside from that, I'm liking the Karma a lot. I just hope my rep
    • 3.3 Is there a OGG player
      The Tremor player is running at about 80% real-time. Apparently an update is on the way so hopefully that will provide some speed-up.
    • by BillyBlaze ( 746775 ) <tomfelker@gmail.com> on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:45AM (#8776821)
      There's hope for real-time playback, not just 80%. See here [xiph.org], someone is working on it again, and others think the hardware is sufficient.
  • by cujo_1111 ( 627504 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:23AM (#8776658) Homepage Journal
    How do you use a command line interface on an ipod?
    • Re:Command line? (Score:5, Informative)

      by Nebu ( 566313 ) <nebu@NOSPam.gta.igs.net> on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:33AM (#8776732) Homepage

      How do you use a command line interface on an ipod?

      If you read the documentation, it says when the iPod boots the Linux kernel it will automatically configure its local ethernet device (ethernet over firewire/IEEE1394) and then starts inetd so that network connections via telnet may be made.

      The default configuration is for the iPod to use 192.10.1.2 and to allow telnet connections. The default address may be changed by editing the /etc/rc script.

    • by McCrapDeluxe ( 626840 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:46AM (#8776826) Journal
      Scrollwheel moves through a list of letters. Middle button confirms selected letter.
    • by System.out.println() ( 755533 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:47AM (#8776836) Journal
      The scroll/touch wheel wouldn't be too hard to turn into a keyboard. spinspinspin TAP spinspinspinspin TAP, you've got "ls".
    • Re:Command line? (Score:4, Interesting)

      by Bilestoad ( 60385 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @02:46AM (#8777376)
      Generally I don't give a shit about desktop Linux because the UI is crap. I tend to think of Linux desktop users as people fighting against reality for idealogical reasons. However, when the UI is out of the picture it's great.

      I use Linux on a server for FLAC/MP3 serving with Slimserver from slim devices. The UI in that case is a simple web interface, no command line required. It does the job it's supposed to do, and I don't much have to care what else it does. Windows in that situation would be too complicated and perhaps not capable of the very long uptimes my Linux box gets.

      On the iPod, it's a lot like the Apple iPod UI - task oriented, simple functions that do one thing well - or at least it will be when it's polished. Which is fine, I don't much care if Apple patent or copyright or sue or whatever. As long as I get to have menu items like "Capture from CF" and "Record" without buying garbage like the Belkin accessories that enable those functions (the Belkin CF reader should NOT be sold. It is incomplete, useless with RAW images). To think that Linux is going to let me use my iPod in more useful ways is awesome.

      It's the first Linux project I've ever thought I could be interested in contributing to. Well done guys! (and let's not forget the ucLinux people, who have been working for quite some time to get where they are.)
  • This is great, now that Linux can run on the iPod I can.... play music? Pretty good stuff. Now I don't have to rely on Apple's crappy interface or poor integration with iTunes.

    Honestly, I know this projects are mostly for shits & giggles, but the iPod seems to be about the least-appropriate MP3 player to port Linux too. You're paying a premium for software design & integration with the iPod. Linux on the Dell version would seem to be a more natural fit.
  • by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:23AM (#8776660)
    Maybe apple really is an "open" company, they just didnt want anyone to know =)
  • Sighs... (Score:5, Funny)

    by moosesocks ( 264553 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:23AM (#8776661) Homepage
    Let me reiterate this for the last time.

    On an MP3 player, the ability to run EMACS is not a feature. The lack of music-playing ability also seems like a pitfall.
  • Say what? (Score:5, Interesting)

    by numbski ( 515011 ) <numbski&hksilver,net> on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:25AM (#8776680) Homepage Journal
    Where are you getting "for many it has more features than the original firmware" from?

    Seems to me everything is very basic, unless you count the ability to browse by file a new feature, but the datbase accessibility of the original firmware is conspicuously missing.

    Still...I like it. The iPod has a usb bus. A firewire bus. Throughput is an issue, but I imagine some hotplug devices will get support. ;) How's about automount picking up on another iPod plugged into the firewire bus and mounting it fat32, access it's database, copy the files over and naming them logically based on either id3 tags or on the database, and then update the localhost database? >:)
    • Re:Say what? (Score:5, Informative)

      by GoRK ( 10018 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:55AM (#8776883) Homepage Journal
      Well, the USB in the ipod is not host mode, so you can't really attach something to it; but firewire is a different story.. In theory you could do all kinds of things with that.
    • Re:Say what? (Score:3, Interesting)

      by dave420 ( 699308 )
      I already wrote one of those, but for Windows. It uses PHP to parse the iTunesDB file on the ipod, and it extracts the MP3s off the ipod to the disk, storing them in an artist > album > song directory structure, re-tagging the mp3s with the fields from the iTunesDB file. It even makes .m3u playlists from the playlists on the ipod... It can also update a MySQL database with the song details, which I use for powering my web-based ipod streaming software. I can listen to my ipod wherever I am. It ev
  • by Perdition ( 208487 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:26AM (#8776685)
    Begun the "KDE looks better on iPod than Gnome" war has.
  • by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:28AM (#8776692)
    Don't get me wrong, I love Linux (I manage an 80-node Linux Beowulf cluster at work) for the things that it's good it. But why would you take a working iPod and install Linux on it? It's not as if you get a discount on your iPod for running Linux. And it's not as if the Linux community has produced a wealth of iPod "killer apps." Straight out of the box, the iPod does what it's supposed to do. And until Linux has native support for some of the consumer technologies that make the iPod so cool (i.e., DirectX) what is the point of installing Linux on it? I realize that there's a certain "cool factor" involved with being able to run Linux on (insert consumer electronics device here), but at what point does one cross the line from usability over to zealotry? The fact that I can run Linux on my toaster isn't going to help me make bagels in the morning.
    • Mainly a "because we can" thing. Now all them nerds can make a Beowulf cluster while riding the subway.
    • It's not necessarily about being zealious or anything like that. It's just a hobby project for now. Some Linux coders got to gether and thought it might be fun to do just for the hell of it. Just something to tinker with. Then again that's how Linux itself started out so who knows. I think it really does have some potential once it matures a little.
    • by Drakonian ( 518722 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @02:37AM (#8777335) Homepage
      There are tonnes of reasons! First, copy the Apple firmware look & feel as closely as possible. Then, add features and fix bugs. Here are a few ideas:

      • Fix the terrible lack of randomness in the shuffle
      • Implement cross fade
      • Implement on-the-go playlists for the people who originally clamoured for them - 1st gen owners
      • Implement a file browser
      • let me add some more.

        * add SIDPLAY and MOD/XM support so that one can enjoy the full MOD galore without first going through the arduous task of converting them to AAC or MP#
        * implement a pitch control with the wheel (so I can do some actual dj'ing on the device, or, rather, on 2 devices :)

        what's more? there must be a lot more features I want to have. from file formats to fixing stupidities of the existing software :)

  • by (exu) $viality$ ( 768796 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:30AM (#8776706) Journal
    Even though many of you ask, "Why??" the news of a new OS for the iPod does present some interesting possibilities. iPods could be used as webservers (a webserver in the palm of your hand) or fileservers. Now that would be cool.
    • a webserver in the palm of your hand

      You are gonna need one hell of an firewire extension cord when you are on the go...
    • You don't need a full blown OS to run a web server. Indeed Microchip has an appnote showing how you can run a web server on a PIC micro. The whole thing fits in the backshell of a D9 connector. (ie. less than 1sq inch of real estate). Sure it is limited, but is is a web server.
    • Yeah, but why would you do that when you can buy a Zaurus that fits in your hand and comes with Linux, a nifty keyboard, and a CF slot for your WiFi card all for around a buck fifty?

      It is like turning a G4 Cube into an aquarium, only worse. No, maybe it is like running Linux on a iBook. Or having the leather seats in your Porche replaced with vinyl. It is one of those things that is so bad, the whole "because I can" argument doesn't even hold up.
    • by dasmegabyte ( 267018 ) <das@OHNOWHATSTHISdasmegabyte.org> on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:53AM (#8776867) Homepage Journal
      Uh, sure would. Except:

      1) The iPod does not have any networking capabilities. You'd have to plug it in to a slave device to get this functionality, and in doing so you'd still have little more than a hard drive.

      2) If you really want to waste your time making a palm sized file or webserver, you'd be much better off with a pocket PC or miniATX machine. Seeing as these already operate as a web/file server in the palm of your hand, really you add nothing by doing the same with an iPod.

      3) WTF do you want a portable file server for in the first place? File servers are supposed to be STATIONARY. That's why they're servers...so they can efficiently deliver you files without you having to get up! If the fucking thing is a portable hard drive already, you'd be much better off just copying files from it. The extra overhead and memory cost are just going to slow down the transfer, which would be inefficient to start with considering the kludges you'd have to pull to get the thing on the network (without slaving it to a PC).

      4) Anybody who thinks that an inefficient, clunky interface podged onto an MP3 devices just to make it a webserver is cool should really consider devoting some of their energy to real problems in computing.
      • by Anonymous Coward
        You sound like an asshole. Are you an asshole? I'm just saying because you really sound like one, is all.
  • by ericdano ( 113424 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:35AM (#8776746) Homepage
    I would happily put linux on my iPod if it would record stereo tracks. I hear it is technically possible, but.........no one has anything other than those crap voice recorders (mono).
  • by Xilo ( 741751 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:37AM (#8776760) Journal
    Anybody know if he's claustrophobic? Such a little window, geez..

    Next generation power for iPods.. Tux running on an exercise wheel?
  • by jdifool ( 678774 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:39AM (#8776777) Homepage Journal
    I know the 'subject' seems flamebait, but let me explain.

    Linux on an Ipod is basically pointless. Especially on this very device, which is what hip people [penny-arcade.com] buy in the first place (don't get me wrong, I have one). That doesn't mean people can't tweak with it, but it's not that useful, since the geek population using iPods is outnumbered by the common consumers.

    On the other hand, what about making a file browser that allow you to go through the files you stored on your pod ? I usually store isos, books, games, and the like on my 30Gb, and I really would like to be able to rename, delete, transfer to my comp directly from the iPod...

    Of course, I could move my ass, but I'm not a techie. My 2 cents.

    Regards,
    jdif

  • Hey, I don't really get why someone would ever spend so much time doing it, but if this ever really matures (it still looks pretty young) and impressive software is available for it this could be pretty cool. I think it's pretty neat that linux is that portable even though a lot of work was still put into modifying it.

    When they start putting linux in toasters, that will be useless, but this could actually evolve into something interesting as an "iPod customization pack"
    • Get ready for the embedded linux revolution!

      ipodLinux is based on uClinux [uclinux.org], which is a version of Linux that runs on processors without an MMU (Memory Management Unit).

      The research group [uq.edu.au] where I work is quite involved in embedded linux work. Last year I ported the Linux kernel [uq.edu.au] to an FPGA-based processor called Microblaze. I'm now doing all sorts of fun stuff involving dynamically self-modifying hardware and other bizarro stuff. All good fun.

      uClinux is running in something like 20 million devices, r

    • When they start putting linux in toasters, that will be useless

      You just wait.

      It'll be able to download settings for all your foods and intelligently decide what you're giving it, and how long to cook it.

      It isn't as far-fetched as it sounds.
  • Good thing they make a 40 gig iPod, you'll need it to fit on Emacs! :-)
  • This is just great for all of us tweakers, but for there to be a real surge in people going past what is considered normal with their iPods, there must be one or two alternative GUIs that are... say it with me now... user-friendly.

    Until then it'll be just us regular Slashdotters and geeks who will have any interest at all in this sort of thing. I still won't put it on, for the pure fact that it won't serve me well in day-to-day purposes, though it is cool.
  • by iamhassi ( 659463 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:45AM (#8776824) Journal
    "The Linux on iPod Project has just crossed a milestone. Currently their firmware works on all ipod models other then the new mini. Sound plays and for many people it has more features then the original iPod firmware!"

    don't even read this, just mod me flamebait, but isn't playing sound (perferably music) the entire purpose of a mp3 player? What exactly did the Linux on iPod do before? Display a cute penguin and nothing else? Forgive me if I don't consider playing sound a milestone.

    • by gotr00t ( 563828 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @01:07AM (#8776940) Journal
      Perhaps this sounds like a very insignificant step in the development process for the iPod Linux distro, however, don't forget that the whole point of making a firmware replacement is not for "coolness," but rather for adding in functionality that would not otherwise be there in the stock firmware. There are tons of features missing from Apple's firmware, such as a graphical equalizer, queues (no, that on-the-go thing will not do!), dynamic playlists, so on, so forth. And just to think, the iPod has enough resources, processing power, to run a good OS.

      For an example of what a replacement third party firmware can do for an audio player, check out RockBox [rockbox.haxx.se]. It turns the obsolete Archos Jukebox 6000 series models into machines capable of playing music much better than the stock firmware, and also capable of doing other stuff as well.

      The bottom line: iPodLinux is a work in development. When it reaches production quality, it WILL have more features than the stock firmware, and will support more formats as well. (ogg, anyone?)

  • by Perdition ( 208487 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:46AM (#8776828)
    But if you could get that Beethoven conducted by a robot illegally downloaded onto your Beowulf cluster of Linux iPods and played it back through your sake-soaked wooden speakers as Cowboy Neal dances like an insensitive clod, I believe this site would somehow slashdot itself.
  • Misdirection... (Score:3, Insightful)

    by Rick Zeman ( 15628 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @12:50AM (#8776852)
    ...while this is certainly a technical achievement, is it a useful one? Yeah, who am I to be the arbiter of that, but my mind is boggling.
    My microwave oven doesn't run linux yet; can someone get hacking on that?
    Seriously, with all of the real projects that need coders, this falls way off the map into the "There be Dragons" category.

    "Linux: We don't have a real UI yet, but it doesn't matter because your garage door opener doesn't need it."
    [shakes head sadly]
    • Re:Misdirection... (Score:5, Insightful)

      by moxruby ( 152805 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @01:30AM (#8777049)
      Seriously, with all of the real projects that need coders, this falls way off the map into the "There be Dragons" category.

      You're right. Coders have an obligation to provide their skills free of charge to a project that "needs" it, rather than one they enjoy working on...
  • by gatesh8r ( 182908 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @01:06AM (#8776939)
    The last time I heard it was after the ENIAC port which is after the PDP-7 which is after...
  • Why It's Useful (Score:5, Interesting)

    by obijywk ( 596747 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @01:26AM (#8777031)

    The reason to have an alternative operating system for the iPod is to add new features! There are so many great things that can be done with the hardware in the iPod, that Apple is only beginning to scratch the surface of (or not even considering at all).

    • Using the iPod as a recording device (better then those little voice recorders can do)
    • OGG (and other formats as well) support
    • iPod-to-iPod music transfers (legally questionable but still a cool concept)

    Not to mention adding features to the 1G and 2G iPods that are only available on the 3G firmware... I would run Linux on my 2G iPod if it provided functionality similar to the On-The-Go playlists on the newer iPods. Open-source firmware could even improve on these features, such as having the ability to name and save a playlist you've made away from your computer.

    Finally, feature additions such as these might keep Apple on their toes - they couldn't let their own firmware become stale, because the alternative would always be improving. I think the Linux on iPod firmware is a great idea, and I wish the developers the best of luck.

  • Limitless (Score:4, Interesting)

    by Nikker ( 749551 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @01:45AM (#8777116)
    For a bunch of nerd you disappoint me...
    • - How about pluging this thing via 1392 to an external CD-RW ???
    • - How about using the interface via WI-FI to do war driving / walking ;)
    • - How about using it to hold ISO's of your latest distro that you could use as a more direct form of data transfer .....
    Just to name a few ideas ......
    This can be alot cooler than some of you are even starting to scratch the surface
  • iRiver? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by Twintop ( 579924 ) <david@twintop-tahoe.com> on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @02:07AM (#8777189) Homepage Journal
    Has anyone heard of an effort to get Linux running on any of the iRiver series of MP3 players? I know they don't have as large of a hard drive (mine has 256 for storage, but they go up to 1GB I believe), but their firmware is just plain crappy. It might be interesting to see support for the FM Radio Tuner on it, too.
  • More Features (Score:3, Interesting)

    by Bruha ( 412869 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @02:09AM (#8777205) Homepage Journal
    I'd be cool to see a small 65k color touch screen that could be put into this unit also. Then maybe a media player could play small videos from the hard drive as well.

    I think the "Better features is a bust but the future holds promise"

    iPod meshing would be cool to tie into your buddies iPod and access his files and maybe someone could make aftermarket jackets that would let the usb port power a 1xRTT or 802.11x card which could turn the iPod into a digital media device over a network.

    With Linux the possibilities are endless!
  • by sagefire.org ( 731545 ) on Tuesday April 06, 2004 @04:26AM (#8777672) Homepage
    Oh, if /.ers would RTFA...

    User Tools

    The full uClinux distribution contains many basic tools (including Busybox) already patched for use with uClinux.

    MAD is a MP3 player that does not require a FPU.

    Tremor is an OGG player that does not require a FPU.

    SoX is an audio processing application capable of playing a variety of music formats (.WAV is probably the most interesting here).

    Intel's IPP package and IPP MP3 Sample program. Intel's IPP is a highly optimised set of libraries that includes MP3 processing. The sample program seems to work fine under uClinux.

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