Linux boots on the iPhone 11, and we believe we’re the first in the world to do it.

Every line in the boot path is code we wrote. There is zero Apple code between power-on and Linux. The bootloader is ours, top to bottom. To our knowledge, no one has done this on an A13 device before.

www.patreon.com/partshacker/posts/linux-boots-on-172091834

This could be good news for then environment. Apple’s planned obsolescence means their phones are essentially life-long e-waste but with an initial few years of enrichment for some.

The devices are still destined to be ewaste, but the more years we can get out of them is still slightly better.

Not just Apple, I know.

Aren’t apple like the least bad guys here with their phones? My wife is still using an almost 7 year old iPhone without any issues at all. It’s still fully functional and snappy to use, still using all the original parts (never needed repair)

That’s comparing tech with other tech, rather than comparing it with environmental impact. I think we need to decenter tech and focus on the environment as a matter of urgency.

My iPhone is six years old. But these devices will spend centuries in land fill. Apple’s recycling program is criticised for destroying phones that could have been repaired.

There is a long list of things not being done to extend the life of these devices, and the way they are repurposed later in life. All to the benefit of selling more devices.

That’s comparing tech with other tech, rather than comparing it with environmental impact.

I mean in that case, it would be best to not own any smartphone at all. Not having one manufactured at all is always the best option. And if you buy used, you’re helping someone else finance their next new phone down the line, so even that is worse than simply not owning a phone at all.