- 2006.03.20
Finally, the other shoe drops
Apple computer's new dual-core
Intel iMac has successfully booted a version of Windows XP, so
Mac users can now enjoy the benefits of having two boots - one for
each foot. "The left foot is for Windows, and the right one is for
OS X," writes Paul Thurrott in his weekly technology column,
Why I Can't Make Up My Mind About Apple.
An enterprising hacker-like person (this isn't really a hack,
it's an exploit) developed the method and won over $13,000 in prize
money,
according to vnunet.
The success of the contest, similar to the X-prize contest, the
DARPA autonomous vehicle challenge, and several new NASA
initiatives, has inspired Apple CEO Steve Jobs to try a similar
approach.
"This spring, we'll be sponsoring several competitions to jump
start new applications and new technology," according to Jobs.
"We're hoping to develop algorithms, though, not hacks or
exploits."
PodPortPro Competition
The first competition to be sponsored by Apple is the design for
the new PodPortPro, a device which will effectively turn an iPod
into a functioning portable computer. Slated to include USB ports
and a video-out port for a computer monitor, the PodPortPro will
include leftover G3 processors and just enough RAM to boot.
"We're starting with $72.50 in seed money we raided from the
third floor coffee can," said Jobs. "Hopefully others will
contribute when they see what a great product this will be." Early
supporters will get first dibs on the inevitable flood of security
patches that will follow release of the device.
Extreme iPod Competition
The next challenge involves determining under what extreme
conditions an iPod will still boot up and run. "We're asking people
to chuck their existing iPods over the balcony, take them in the
shower, bake them, put them in dryers, and drop them in toilets,"
said Jobs. "We'll pay $650 for every iPod that survives an
'extreme' test."
If the iPod dies, Apple accepts no risk, and the user must buy a
new iPod. "We figure this program will pay for itself in six to
eight minutes."
MacGyver Competition
The final competition is getting a Windows-based PC to boot up
as a Mac using nothing but a scratched copy of Tigger, a pirated
Windows XP install disk with no codes, and a paper clip (sorry,
duct tape is not allowed). "If you can get this thing to boot up,
we'll buy you lunch in our really cool cafeteria," said Jobs. "We
might even spring for a candy bar for dessert."
"By the way, this one is a hack, because it's done to a PC,"
said Jobs.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution a zillion years
ago and keeps reminding us of its past glory in footers like this
one. It also redefined the word "Pod" in everyone's mind when it
developed a great MP3 player and called it iPod.
