Palm's webOS Root Image Leaks Out

Kohenkatz writes "As noted in PreCentral.net's forums, the 'webOS Reset Doctor' has been leaked. It includes the webOS root image. From the article: 'Code-inclined individuals on the PreCentral forums have already cracked open the ROM and are getting an unfettered glimpse at the Palm's new platform, which, for the layman, means it should open the doors for some crazy Pre hacking and possibly hint, by way of unfinished / unused code, at what's to come for the platform — and, if we're really lucky, maybe someone will be able to look at this and move us one step closer to an unlocked Pre that could jump onto Verizon's network. Amusingly, you also get to see all the comments left by the devs in the code, guaranteeing a few good chuckles from others who can relate.'" People have already uncovered icons for MSN and AOL, as well as references to the Palm Eos, a rumored successor to the Centro line.

Comments

Cool, but where are the kernel sources?

[Qubit]

Cracking open the ROM is nifty and all (although it might cause issues for you later if you want to develop on the platform), but what I still want to know is where are the Palm Pre Linux kernel sources?.

I've looked all over the Palm sites and even Googled for it, but I haven't come up with anything but speculation. I can't believe that they're using a prebuilt kernel from TI, so what gives?

Re:Cool, but where are the kernel sources?

[piquadratCH]

If it isn't Linux based, I'm wondering what stuff like this does in webOS.tar

./lib/modules/2.6.24-palm-joplin-3430/kernel/net/
./lib/modules/2.6.24-palm-joplin-3430/kernel/net/wifi/
./lib/modules/2.6.24-palm-joplin-3430/kernel/net/wifi/sd8xxx.ko

So, yes, it's Linux based.

Re:Cool, but where are the kernel sources?

[Qubit]

Doesn't that mean they're obliged to release their source anyway

That's pretty much the assumption I was working on... :-)

(or will be, when the item ships)?

According to Wikipedia it has already shipped: Available: June 6th, 2009 (Sprint Nextel).

That's why I've waited until now to ask for the kernel sources!

Re:Amunition for Apple?

[_merlin]

Doesn't work the same way at all. iTunes produces an XML file detailing the contents of its library. The Blackberry (and, incidentally, Nokia) synchronisation software reads this file. You need to install a separate application from the handset vendor and use it to synchronise your music (iTunes is blissfully unaware of your Blackberry/Nokia). The Pre is a different kettle of fish - it masquerades as an iPod so iTunes will handle the synchronisation with no additional software.

Re:Will this make be an iPhone killer?

[Em Ellel]

Not until you can develop Pre apps in something other than Javascript/HTML/CSS...

Like what? Objective-Crap? Puh-lease. JS/HTML/CSS is a bold choice - but makes perfect sense. You have all the web developers and all the flash developers who are already trained in it and you can develop on ANY platform you want - so a lot easier to get apps created faster. Now if only they would release the SDK!!!!

-Em

Re:Will this make be an iPhone killer?

[rho]

Why is the Pre better? Can you give specific examples?

Good for developers

[StreetStealth]

This could actually be very good for developers versus the iPhone.

The plan is, from my understanding, that the WebOS SDK should allow devs to build capable but high-level apps in a Javascript-style environment (though I'm pretty sure these things are still compiled). Thus a lower barrier to entry than even the iPhone, at the expense of more intensive system-level access.

If Pre homebrew software doesn't require firmware modification like the iPhone does (does the Pre even need to be jailbroken?), that goes a long way toward legitimizing it to a mainstream audience, giving potential Pre developers two possible avenues for development.

Re:Intiguing comment?

[Hognoxious]

Me, but only because I saw it mentioned in a book (Code Complete?) as an example of a bad comment.