For all you nay-sayers, this is idea is like going the TI calc route (for those that don't know about this then please read up at ticalc.org). I just read somewhere that the current iPod OS is no more than an image stored on the iPod's hard drive, so it could theoretically be replaced, I need to know if this is true.
TI was still able to issue firmware updates to their calcs, and this usually required a simple fix to the OS that TI calc programmers had created. But most games/apps were unaffected (as long as they called OS hooks, and not direct ROM calls that might be changed.)
I think this could really be cool. We could create apps for the iPod to extend its functionality beyond what Apple first thought of.
First a new iPod OS would need to be written, and then someone could write an mp3 app, someone could write a game, someone could write a contact manager, etc. As long as the OS was multitasking, mp3's could play while doing other things (looking up contacts, playing a game, etc).
Some good games were written in assembler for a 6 MHz Z80 processor (a TI-83 for example). Now, we have a good size display, some decent controls, and a faster processor (2 if I am not mistaken).
I believe the original gameboy was no more than a 6 MHz Z80 (modified a bit). Discussion of this goes on in the TI comunity every so often.
Well going off of what I said above, I just ordered a free evaluation CD, it contains the following:
What's On the Evaluation CD
The evaluation version comprises:
• C and C++ compilers
• Assembler and linker
• An Integrated Development Environment
• Powerful GUI based debugger
• Instruction Set Simulators
• ROM-based debug tools
• Support for all ARM cores
• An interactive demonstration of features and benefits of ADS
• Documentation in PDF format
The tools included in the evaluation version are in no way different in functionality to those provided in the full product. The evaluation tools are supported on Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0 and 2000.
The built-in evaluation license lasts for 45 days from the date of installation. No technical support is provided with the software.
I have two things to say/ask.
1) Do you think that is enough to start writing new iPod apps? I am thinking yes, but am not sure. A full package is like $6000, so actually ordering it is out of the question, but tinkering around for 45 days would be cool. And they only have a PC version (so people would need to fire up VPC for this to get going.)
2) Please don't everyone go asking/requesting these kits. They would probably stop the program. If all works out, I would be happy to put a disk image on an ftp server so others could try it out as well.
Ben
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