How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

Hi,

I'm a disappointed customer of Nokia Asha 311. It lacks many basic functionalities.

Is there anyway I can run MeeGo, etc on it?

Thanks

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

sure ..when pigs fly ! :D lol

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

Jolla, some long time ago, claimed that they can port Sailfish OS (it's Mer-based, just like Meego?) to any phone (within a week or two?). I wonder if they would be willing...

So far, I haven't heard of any alternative OS on Asha (not that I searched much). The main question: is the bootloader on Asha locked?

Thank you. Best wishes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Per aspera ad astra...

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

Thank you for replying. I must confess I'm completely clueless about the bootloader thing.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

i think its locked. otherwise you have already seen an Android port for it.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

Unfortunately this is not possible and with a high certainity never will be.

Regardless on whether the bootloader is locked or not, no port is possible for a device which has undocumented HW.
Ports to Android-based devices are easy because there is existing linux kernel with working HW adaptation. Same goes for N900 and N9.

For all Ashas and Lumias, as well as for example iOS and BB devices this is not possible, ever.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

Being locked or not is not relevant here.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

Ok, I can see that there is no existing linux kernel compiled specifically for Asha 311. But what kind of HW documentation would be needed to begin to do such a kernel-or-whatever?..

Service manual
Service manual and schematics

Or just search for "RM-714" "Service manual" in engine of your choice (DuckDuckGo was what I used), and the documents will spring out at you.

I do not know anything about compiling operating system for a different hardware. I just heard that the reason for BB devices to not-run an alternative operating system is locked boot-loader - that's why that was my first question.

Article about operating system of Asha does not mention the boot-loader to be locked or unlocked...

Thank you. Best wishes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Per aspera ad astra...

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

nirasha_user, Ashas are inferior to smartphones produced 5 years ago, hardware-wise. It's not wise to waste your time on them.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

An Asha 311 has 128MB of RAM and a slow as ***** processor. It is an impossibility to have it run anything other than Series 40.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

@Wikiwide schematics and service manual is not documentation, lol.

And remember please: if phone is not on Android or Linux (Maemo, MeeGo, Tizen) You CAN NOT change builtin OS on it to any other.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

Not true.

Bada OS came on the (cheap and, for its time) phenomenal Samsung Wave smartphone. Its got a fully working port of Android. I think it was version 4.0.3

The HP TouchPad also got an Android port.

The O2 XDA TyTN II and TouchPRO got Android ports too. Version 2.1 or was it 2.3 ?

HTC HD2 was the last device and it came with Windows Mobile 6.
It got ports for WebOS. FirefoxOS. Android. MeeGo. Mer. Ubuntu Touch. Ubuntu. Windows Phone. Windows RT. Windows 10.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

Not really true, you could opt for an older flavor of android. In fact, 2.0 has been seen running on the old n95 back in the day.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

The kernel is no-brainer. Just about the only thing needed to build a working kernel is to know the CPU architecture and rough estimate on the available core memory.

But this is nearly not enough; I can easily build and boot a kernel for Asha 311, and if it has something resembling an UART then most probably I can launch a serial console (even with no pins existing outside the device, access to pins can be had by opening the case...)

Booting the new kernel is again no problem, with a bit of hacking and breaking the user security with any number of known faults, or in the ultimate case force-feeding the kernel loading via JTAG interface...

The problematic thing is the HW adaptation;
Because the device runs a totally different OS you do not have any useful drivers, binary blobs, knowledge on which registerers to twiddle to make it dance...

• Impossible to have even a text console on the native screen, not to mention any kind of GUI
• no access to wlan, BT, 2G/3G/4G modem
• no access to DSME
• ...nothing really

Having a locked bootloader is just a hindurance, it is not the main thing that prevents porting an OS to a device.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

Now I wonder where did the HW adaptation pop up, hmm?
Might be something to do with the fact that in each case there was leaked information from manufacturer or employees who had developed the HW in the first place :D

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

Thank you all for your replies and the discussion you got going, it's very helpful and informative. I'm glad I'm part of this active community.

According to Wikipedia it has 1GHz ARM 11 and it doesn't have 4G modem.

I strongly suspect it runs a highly stripped version of MeeGo. On Microsoft's meddling, it has been made hard to use, so that customers are goaded/cajoled to buy their higher priced mobile phones.

My previous phone N73 had much less hardware and it still has lot more convenient features.

I'm afraid you're mistaken. The Asha phones run Symbian Series 40. The 311 has a touch opptimized UI but at its core it's old S40. Microsoft didn't have much involvement with Asha at the time the 311 was released.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

That's wrong, they sent that IDIOT Stephen Elop who managed to sabotage it so that people will upgrade to Lumia.

There is no way to if it is Symbian, it could be MeeGo and they are calling it S40.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

talking about something you can still buy in market, okay?

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

I appreciate you well meaning advice but I don't see it as a waste, whatever I'll learn from my struggles on this will deepen my understanding of how computers, etc work.

Thanks

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

Its Nokia Series 40, its not Symbian Series 40. Symbian is Nokia Series 60, 80 and 90. S40 have nothing about Symbian.

Well either way the point is there's no Meego on the Asha 311 like nirasha_user is insisting. It's an S40 dumbphone, there is no Meego. Microsoft is not "disguising" any part of it.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

I said it could be a highly stripped down version of MeeGo(plausible), their promotional material would disagree with you.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTSA_sWGM44 <- Just close this thread..

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

"Ever" is a strong word. For example, iOS hardware is undocumented, but it has been reverse-engineered to the point that there is an Android port for certain iPhone models. Theoretically that same work could be used to port Meego or SailfishOS.

But as for the Asha series, forget it. The hardware is not worth it.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

I'm not trolling. What made you think that?

I'd just like to do it as a way of learning things. Where do I start first? Point me.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

we already answered you couple of times. S40 is not symbian and not meego, it contains none of symbian or meego parts, and it can't be replacced with any other operating system, and it can't launch any other applications.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

How would some users know what it contains or doesn't contain? Few other users are telling that it is possible. So who is trolling who? Why?

How would you know it is not Symbian or MeeGo? How would it doesn't contain parts of it? Maybe because of your intellectual limitations you feel it cannot be replaced with other OSes.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

The Palm treo 650 did also had an Android port.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

compare:
coderus
Posts: 4,441 | Thanked: 6,967 times

nirasha_user
Posts: 9 | Thanked: 5 times

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

Also,
That quote suggests that writing operating systems for mobile phones it not what you do 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. You have been given answers by a few members with a lot of experience in that area. Those answers range from "impossible" through "incredibly difficult" to "impractical". Either way, it is not a task one person can take on, "as a way of learning things".

Where do you start? Spend a few years studying computer design, a few more years writing software, enhance that with some system programming and then you will have a rough idea.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

The only meego part in asha is harmattan homescreen design with "squircles" or whatever they call it ...

I would not be surprised that meltimi platform used asha's hardware internally... but this is dead end right ?

I feel that RE forces should focus on devices that really worth it (RIM lumias ? ithings etc)

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

Okay... Since getting Meego to work on Asha requires:
1. knowledge of hardware inside it (for example, knowledge of processor to compile the kernel for it; knowledge of screen to get any UI onto it; and so on);
2. drivers existing for said hardware;
3. boot-loader unlocked to accept random operating system without complaint;
4. maybe, something else...

I would say: go from opposite side. Series 40 OS, pre-installed on Asha, already includes drivers and operating system.

If there is something wrong with it (lacks basic functionality, right?), then you could begin with programming applications for it?

Customizing the operating system, replacing (if possible) the default lacking apps with your own open-source (if you wish to share them :-) ) ones? With time, you could have more-or-less open-source operating system on Asha, customized to your content?

I do not wish to lock you to single operating system, and to Java programming - but it seems to be easier route than trying to get a different operating system work "from scratch". This way, it may be possible to just slowly replace Series 40's bits and pieces with better-working ones.

Some links:
https://github.com/nokia-developer/s...omponent-demos
http://idkf.bogor.net/bio2/mobile-do...i_overview.pdf
http://www.slideshare.net/nokia-deve...0-java-me-apps
http://developer.nokia.com/resources.../3456/?id=3456
http://developer.nokia.com/resources...k&category=s40

P.S. Nokia Asha platform is later successor of Series 40; Asha 311 has Series 40 operating system.

Thank you. Best wishes.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

Not sure why this is still even being discussed.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

Many thanks for your help.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

No problem. I have never met a Java-based phone before, so I am just going to give random links, in hope that they help:

https://github.com/nokia-developer/lwuit-for-series-40/ For developing applications
http://stackoverflow.com/tags/series-40/hot For asking questions and finding answers
http://developer.nokia.com/community..._for_Series_40
http://developer.nokia.com/community..._on_the_phones
http://folder.mywibes.com/mobile_coads/hack_nokia_s40/ Multi-tasking?

It seems that accessing system files is not easy - but hopefully, it will not be the first thing you need to do: http://nokias40club.webs.com/apps/fo...s/show/3361345
http://xp-twiks.blogspot.com.au/2010...rity-make.html

For official Nokia software (flashing, accessing all the files, back-ups and the like? Internet seemed to say that it works for Series 40 devices): http://www.cpkb.org/wiki/Nokia_Phoenix_Service_Software

Service manuals and schematics (hopefully, you will never need them): http://www.cpkb.org/wiki/Nokia_Asha_...service_manual

I am not sure if there is an active Series 40-dedicated developer community out there; http://nokias40club.webs.com/apps/forums/ definitely seems to be too slow, like dead.

You are welcome here. No phone should remain a dark and closed place... never mind the intention of manufacturer.

Thank you. Best wishes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Per aspera ad astra...

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

Thank you Wikiwide, and also pichlo, juiceme and coderus to make this s***** question become also informative and benefiting.

I have two Asha prototypes (RM-919 and RM-922 dual sim, both with a different back key than commercialised ones) wanted to say if anyone attempts to replace the OS I'm happy to give out the device for developing. They are really useless...

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

Sorry for offtop but what about Asha 501 and double tap feature - it use accelerometer for double tap detection. Is there any way to read accelerometer registers from asha so we could use similar settings in n900?
I tried configure accelerometer in n900 but with little success (too sensitive or too little). From asha videos I can see that it works quite good.

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

The only one who has helped is Wikiwide. I'm thankful to him.

Other you mentioned have been mostly discouraging.

What was that word you used which started with 's' followed with 5 asterisks? Why did you use that word?

Re: How to run MeeGo on Asha series of phones?
 

I did not found "the others" I mentioned are discouraging - in fact I found them encouraging, at least I have a clearer understand of "how phone works" or "how to build a smartphone" after reading their post.

There are thousands of words begin with "s" and has 6 letters. Could be simple or stinky or whatever you think it is.