Yep, the iPhone runs Android 2.2, too
By Donald Melanson 
posted June 6th 2010 9:01PM
posted June 6th 2010 9:01PM
Sure, we might be seeing some big changes to the iPhone tomorrow, but what if you could see some big changes on your very own iPhone, today? Well, you can if you're brave enough to try installing Android on your iPhone, which we've seen done before, but not with Android 2.2 (otherwise more deliciously known as Froyo). Still not convinced that such a thing is possible? Then head on past the break for the video evidence, and hit up the link below for the complete, not-for-the-faint-of-heart instructions for performing the feat yourself.
P.S. Of course, "runs" isn't exactly the same as "runs well." The iPhone in the video apparently got noticeably hot after five minutes of use, and there's some issues with Android not recognizing little things like WiFi or the phone's GPU.
P.S. Of course, "runs" isn't exactly the same as "runs well." The iPhone in the video apparently got noticeably hot after five minutes of use, and there's some issues with Android not recognizing little things like WiFi or the phone's GPU.
my evo and i want froyo as well.
@pshetters Pretty sure you can root your Evo and they have a 2.2 ROM out.
@pshetters engadget didnt make it nub
@pshetters
I think the reason why the iPhone got hot is because of the secret hidden app... Android-Embedded-Compact-iPhone-Killer 7
@pshetters
Isn't it sad that androids updates can be put onto a completely closed and locked apple device before their own customers get it? And the phone came out AFTER past phones got froyo! Pathetic!
@pshetters
NOW MAKE THIS AVAILABLE FOR IPT 3G ALREADY
ARGGGGGGG
@Btbessey
I want all of your honest opinions. SHUTUP ANDROID FANBOYS, BE HONEST. I know you all hate apple and their success/iPhone, but do you not find it funny that every android, WP7S, WebOS, etc. Device that comes out is compared to the iPhone. "oh this phone destroys the iPhone" "no wait THIS phone destroys the iPhone!" give it a rest! iPhone obviously wins. I'm not a fanboy but just look at the track record.
@Btbessey ironic that sounds like an apple fan, android and iphone are too different and will never "kill" eachother, both good and for different uses. If you werent biased you would know and admit that, not side with one or the other.
@Btbessey ...you really need help. Buy an EVO and snap out of it.
@Btbessey Actually not really. The fact that they are open-source and you can get Froyo onto an Apple device AND a Android device is actually quite refreshing, it's nice to have a community of modders who are accepted and empowered rather than being relegated to back-channels and (itunes) updates which are just meant to block out any one who has jailbreaked.
@Btbessey
not either way at this point...i have an iPhone 2G...but i like the integration android has to offer...when u have a document...u can edit it with an app of ur choice. Basically its more "open" and actually an OS rather then an app-store. Yes, Apple has "won" as of now but android it catching up. It has less advertising and is less known to the general populous. I just know that I am installing froyo and the "cracked" version of OS 4 for my iPhone and I'm getting a Motorola Shadow this July/August.
@fast
I had sprint before switching to iPhone due to a lack of smartphone choice (windows mobile and palm pre... No thanks) and I do admit (not hard to) that I would have the EVO if I had not switched. BUT I would never leave my iPhone for any android phone. Thts just my choice. But yes the EVO is the phone to get If you are on ANY other carrier w/o iPhone. Or incredible I suppose. Long story short. I do respect the evo and if someone gave me one for free, I would use it gladly. Just not over my iPhone.
@patp
Different? I suppose so but mobile OS's are built or one thing and one thing only. Customers. I choose iPhone OS. I honestly wanted your fandroid opinions of my prior question.
@Btbessey His iPhone 3G was rooted, I wouldn't call that closed and locked. A cool feat nevertheless but you make it sound like he just downloaded the Android OS 2.2 from the iTunes store for free and everything works.
@DBG
You mean that got denied from the app store!!! For why!!!!
@pshetters
computers dont RUN operating systems, they utilize them to communicate with the hardware.
@Btbessey This is like putting shit on a silver platter.
/flamebait
@youngluck
Amen. I'm not sure what flamebait is. Googles first choice of dessert beginning with letter f? Before froyo of course.
@WindowPhoneOwnsAndroid
The kernel is the only thing that ever communicates directly with the hardware, the operating system is built to communicate the user input to the kernel.
@Btbessey your clearly missing the point, what your pointing out is a difference in opinion that's really it, and by different i mean in the os itself (android being open, iphone being closed as well as many other differences some bad and some good on both sides)..... really mobile os's are built for one thing? I honestly cant really respond to your statement that cell phone os is meant for one thing "customer"? I mean... I get it but your just furthering me saying that the os that suits you as a customer is the iphone os.... and your just saying it and trying to support it in a way that you dont want to seem like you are but...you are it's simple.
@Btbessey Maybe ask a question and i'll answer it.... I saw no question mark so what do I answer to?
@Btbessey
You're obviously just trying to start a flame war here. I honestly don't see how you can suggest that the iphone has some kind of superiority simply because some guy was able to throw an unfinished, unofficial build of Android 2.2 on a hacked iPhone. Did you even watch the video? It's slow as all hell, it lags just trying to swipe to the next screen, half the features don't work. So what is your point? Any Android phone can run Froyo at any time as long as they're rooted and there's a ROM for it.
The reason it takes a few months to get a Froyo release to phones like the EVO or Incredible (or 2.1 to the Hero/Eris) is because of the custom UI on top of the stock Android. Sense UI, Motoblur, Rachel, etc need to be optimized to work in a new version which takes time. Adding to that, the carriers also regulate when the update is distributed to their phones. That has nothing to do with Google or Android itself. If you want someone to complain to, complain to Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile. The nexus one has already been updated.
And to answer your question: I personally have never said anything "kills the iphone". The only thing that will kill an iphone is another iphone because they are two very different OSes. It all comes down to personal preference. Some people like the simplicity of the iPhone and don't mind being locked down and having to stick to Apple's policies. Others like the openness and customization of Android and don't mind a little extra complexity. I for one, am glad that Engadget has stopped comparing every new Android phone to the iPhone in their reviews because it's really pointless. Neither the iPhone nor Android are "better" than the other, they just cater to different types of consumers.
And lastly, no, popularity does not make something better than another. There are plenty of examples of this in the media. Simply because something is widely popular does not automatically mean quality (McDonalds anyone?). Not saying the iPhone isn't a device of quality. It is, but it just pisses me off when people try to use that as an excuse for something being "better" than another.
@sfox8 Your comment about catering to different types of consumers should be adjusted. Iphone caters to CONSUMErs, android, winmo, blackberry cater to customers. There's quite a difference there. Annoys me to no end nowadays that customers are refereed to as consumers now
@Btbessey and you say your not a fanboy.
@d0ug Could you elaborate on those differences? I'm actually genuinely curious about what you mean.
@pshetters Froyo gives me diarrhea
@sfox8
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/consumer
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/customer
Iphone is entirely designed around consuming of media and lining apple's pockets with cash with every itunes/appstore transaction, with a somewhat feeble attempt at productivity
Where as other platforms are more centered around productivity.
The most productivity that comes out of the iphone platform is probably the app creation which isnt done on an iphone, its done on a desktop to further the consumption on the iphone platform. The media part of the picture would have been produced anyways, as it always was before iphone/ipod ever existed.
@juanvaldez
Device drivers are lacking and they are not mostly open source on Android (as per SW license and mfg discretion).
However, as soon as Galaxy S ships in volume, is completely rooted, things might change for iPhone Android ports, esp. for iPhone HD which has almost identical CPU/GPU as Galaxy S.
Then it's a matter of getting the radio and camera working, and it'll be interesting to see how Android handles the non-standard resolution.
Not a bad idea for your next phone: iPhone HD - run iphone OS or Android. The best two choices for many.
@d0ug
I actually feel enlightened by your post.
I've actually been screaming this for a while now just not as elegantly.
A great example is Winmo. They were designed for the hardcore biz user that wanted funtionality (similar to pc) witch also required a higher learning curve.
The Iphone was designed for the "consumer" simplifying features while making sure they ran extremely well.
I never understood why early on all the winmo devices were being compared to the iphone. They were developed for diff audiences that's why the user experience is diff.
Bottom line winmo started out for hardcore users, while iphone designed for the masses from the start. Android seems to lie in the middle.
@EggoEspada Yeah there is a rooted 2.2 for the Evo, but wifi doesn't work yet.
@Btbessey
The track record is that they all obviously destroy the iPhone and the only reason we have to keep saying it is becuase apple fanboys won't shut the hell up about your "magical" device
Nice and blurry. Just the way I like my Engadget videos.
@CarlosE
I'm pretty sure this just owned Jobs that night before the WWDC...
@sjavvaji
How so? Because lack of wifi and added "flash" support while turning the phone into an easy bake oven? Seems like ole Stevie would take this announcement with open arms. Flash literally melts the iPhone.
@Btbessey lol
@Btbessey
lol I hate you. However I must give you credit o n the easy bake oven joke
@Btbessey Maybe Steve can announce some decent hardware this time around. You know... The kind that can run modern software?
iPhone with Flash support!
@Spaceshipped
I literally did the Hiro Nakamura stance (put my hands up in the air) when I read this.
@Spaceshipped
Lolololol
@Spaceshipped And as suspected, the phone overheats from use.
@Spaceshipped
Steve Jobs:
If it has flash, they failed!
Oh wait, that's our phone...
*avoids media attention
@Spaceshipped
I'm pretty sure this just owned Jobs that night before the WWDC...
@sjavvaji
How so? Because lack of wifi and added "flash" support while turning the phone into an easy bake oven? Seems like ole Stevie would take this announcement with open arms. Flash literally melts the iPhone.
@Btbessey I'm pretty sure that Flash or the lack of wifi didn't melt the iPhone, it's that Apple won't allow control of the GPU...
Its missing all the major features and lags like my stuttering cousin. Might as well not show it off until its usable. Impressive nonetheless I guess.
@beatboiii
My guess is they wanted Froyo on the iPhone before it got on native Android phones. ;)
10 page flames ahead
This just in:
iPhone could run android before
iPhone can still run android now
Gripping news as always, engadget
@Sunderphon oh shut up