Linux claimed to be running on Zune

With Linux running on iPods for a few years now, it would seem that it was only a matter of time before someone got a version of the operating system up and running on Microsoft's Zune, especially given the fact that the player's Freescale iMX31L processor can already handle the OS. Well, according to one fearless warranty-voiding individual, that prospect is now at least one step closer to reality. In a post on ZuneBoards, "Mys Videl" claims that he's managed to get Linux on Zune "partway working," currently only able to be booted while synced and with limited capabilities. While Videl's not willing to let the secret loose just yet (or even provide pics of it in action for that matter) he is promising to release it as open source when its finished, and open it up to beta testing before that. Exactly when that might happen, he isn't saying.

[Via Zune-Online.com]

[IL_MORO @ Feb 15th 2008 7:28AM]

Well, Sorry for bothering; But I would like to ask (again) about the ZuneLinux Project. I'm from the Dominican Republic (my English is a bit rusty, so forgive any mistake on my writing); here, just like me, many of my college fellows prefered and have adcquired the zune; And just as I do, they are pretty worried about the limitations. We are Linux users on PC (some Ubuntu, Some SuSE), We have seen It's potential, and also on the Ipod (by the iPod-linux).
Almost One year ago, I readed about this project that you are deploying and got pretty excited about it... And i would like know if the project really exists and if we can wait for it. We like linux and We need it to help us free our Zunes. if someone can answer me can do it ([e-mail]) and I will really appreciate it. Thanks a lot.

[Darren @ Jul 1st 2008 3:29PM]

Well, this is not going to happen as Jasmine (Mys Videl) has passed away due to serious illness.

So, on that note, I don't think anyone else is working on it now.

[wilso850 @ May 2nd 2009 1:37AM]

okay, obviously you guys just want to bicker and bitch untill it comes out. well here is some news, THERE IS NO NEWS!!! my god! microsoft pisses me off when they do stuff like this, anyways, there has got to be a way to hack the zune, what if like while it was updating the firmware, something happened and therefore corrupted the firmware? would that not create some kind of hole or something that we could get somekind of a boot loader onto it?
idk wtf a bootloader is, but it sounds pretty obvious what it is. idk, im not a programmer or anything close to that, the closest i have ever came to that is hacking my psp to use homebrew, but for some reason i have a strong feeling, corruption is the key to getting our own firmware on the zune, maybe im wrong, but its worth a shot.

long live hacking.

[pounce @ Jan 7th 2007 5:15PM]

Um, how exactly is this bit of fluff Engadgetworthy? I mean geez....

Scrapping the bottom of the barrel due to the holidays?

If there were pics or code or something other than some random murmors then it would be news.

[steve @ Dec 29th 2006 1:59PM]

well, let me answer your question. First, this is a "gadget" site. Second, hacking a cool new gadget to run something like, well lets see here, Linux, is pretty darn cool. And considering that most everyone that reads this site are geeks, and geeks love Linux, well.... just put two and two together. That and the irony of an open-source OS running on a Microsoft gadget is just awesome. Hope that clears things up for you.

[... @ Dec 29th 2006 1:32PM]

Well, if it were true, this would be a great advance to making the zune something useful...

[offbeat @ Dec 29th 2006 1:42PM]

What's so great about having linux on zune anyways? Unless someone figures out a way to do something with the wireless transfer hardware thats included...i don't see much use.

[Gil @ Dec 29th 2006 2:21PM]

You answered your own question. It's all about the WiFi

[Ray-- @ Dec 29th 2006 1:46PM]

I have to agree with the first post on this one... an unsubstantiated claim on a messageboard??? wow imagine all the news you can find with that as your source....

"IPnwBillGates" was quoted today on the MacFanBoi forums as claiming to have broken into Bill Gates' Zune and installed linux. While no screens or proof have been provided he claimed to have seen unlicensed mp3s on his device...

[3rdsun @ Dec 29th 2006 5:49PM]

Im not a geek...I think.

[Jeff @ Dec 29th 2006 2:12PM]

MS just got Zuned!

We need a leetspeak version of "zuned". I propose "x00ned".

[Failedgrace @ Dec 30th 2006 9:43PM]

I like it, but without the "e": x00nd

[Das @ Dec 29th 2006 2:14PM]

Pretty cool.
Heres hoping he can get the wireless to work for some hot webrowser action.

[Alan Strangis @ Dec 29th 2006 2:14PM]

Couldn't this story have waited until the hacker at least had some grainy photos so we could have debated whether they were real or photoshopped first?

Seriously. :)

PS: would be cool if true, of course. :)

[david offbeat @ Dec 29th 2006 2:27PM]

Yea just saying, like it mentions in the post, theres not many things that geeks haven't put linux on, not to mention this is just a rumor, so I don't really see it as news-worthy until they release and verify wifi capabilities.

[Chris @ Dec 29th 2006 2:45PM]

Ha ha. I commented something about zunelinux a while ago and here it is. No DRM, web browsing, maybe a chat client. Like I said, the possibilities are endless.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/18/installing-zune-firmware-v1-2-also-sucked/4#comments my comment is somewhere in that page.

[What the... @ Dec 29th 2006 2:52PM]

I already have Linux working on my Zune. It's awesome. I'm not going to show it to you tho... no pictures... nothing... Maybe i'll hook you all up someday... I just umm... want to make sure its working perfectly.

You can write a story about me now.

[Brian @ Dec 29th 2006 3:27PM]

I

[Andy Melton @ Dec 29th 2006 3:34PM]

I totally agree with one of the previous posters. With Linux, the limits of the device would be removed and even more features could be added AND, most importantly, it would work with all operating systems.

[yeahsurewhateverok @ Dec 29th 2006 4:26PM]

How about a pic of a zune running OSX?

http://yeahsurewhateverok.wordpress.com/2006/12/30/unfounded-claim-on-message-board-makes-headlines/

Now that's news baby!!

[Huge @ Dec 29th 2006 8:25PM]

Dude, there is a problem, your Mac OSX running on your Zune seems to have a huge resolution. The thing is.. the screen is only able to provide 320x240. Sorry, you've been owned! :) FAKE! wait.. do i said FAKE?? FAKEEEEEEEE

[LPXXFAINTXX @ Dec 29th 2006 4:28PM]

Hi guys,

This is LPX, the admin from ZuneBoards. We'd just like you to know that Mys Videl is a "she" not a "he." ;)

Thanks!

[Robert Lew @ Dec 29th 2006 4:31PM]

Now I really don't believe it.

[el gato gordo @ Dec 29th 2006 6:15PM]

Sounds like a great ambiguous marketing ploy to get you all to buy a Zune in hopes of some mystical day when MS products work well and play nicely with others only after you void your EULA to get the product to that point.

[whiskey @ Dec 29th 2006 6:35PM]

People, people!
You seem to be missing the point here...
Expect to see lots of "bricked" zunes. It's "hilarity-waiting-around-the-corner" + linux + zune.

[Michael @ Dec 30th 2006 1:08AM]

Dude, there is a bigger problem, it's a joke!
Sorry, you've been owned! JOKE! wait.. do i said JOKE?? JOKEEEEEEEE

I just had to said that...

[Richard @ Dec 29th 2006 9:58PM]

I think everyone is missing the points, if the Zune "can" run Linux this means you can have a wireless portable media device with streaming with "no DRM".

[Kevin @ Dec 29th 2006 11:28PM]

Geez, I know remember why I hate You answered your own question. It's all about the engadget commenters. It's been established that the processor CAN run linux. This is really nothing more than a reminder.

I believe that someone does have some linux going on the Zune, but it's probably not too much. I bet they don't even have graphics yet, MAYBE some simple X, but probably not a full-featured desktop environment.

Once the device is fully supported (input device, display, wifi) then some REAL magic can happen. Think OGG support, and unlimited sharing. Maybe basic web browsing? Podcast RSS feed support? Internet radio? The possibilities are numerous.

[James Smith @ Dec 30th 2006 12:18AM]

Linux FTW!

[Karl Viklund @ Dec 30th 2006 5:47AM]

Hehe. Ok, even if Linux on any device is cool I can feel that this just was some Linux fans who just had to get Linux to be running on that Microsoft product :)

[zundude @ Dec 30th 2006 10:15PM]

Ok guys mys videl from that site having linux on the zune is a total scam. If you look in the thread where she claims to have done it, she wont provide any proof. then when someone calls her out on it she closes the thread. Pretty suspicious if you ask me.

http://www.zuneboards.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,28/topic,1438.45

[Diedemus @ Dec 31st 2006 2:59AM]

Videl is extremely arrogant like that. I am a member of the forum over there. I have to say I am far more interested in the possible rockbox port than anything she may or may not get working. That said, there are some interface components in the zune that may open up some decent options for linux. Maybe a little keyboard action like the snap on deals for the older ipaqs.

[Money2themax @ Mar 13th 2007 10:26AM]

maybe this will cause MS to stop trying to squish open-souce softwere or bring about the worst lawsuits ever seen. And god knows that they love there lawsuits.