A commercial Linux bootloader and open source Linux distribution will be offered for Microsoft's Zune multimedia player, according to forum posts at Zuneboards.com by a “Mys Videl” user. The posts generated considerable discussion, much of it questioning whether the port might be a hoax.

The Mys Videl user did not share the customary photo showing the hacked device booting to a console prompt, and offered few technical details about the alleged port. Nevertheless, the story was picked up by Engadget, after which the Mys Videl user closed the Zuneboards thread, apparently flummoxed by the publicity generated by the stunt. The closed, four-page thread can be found here.

Microsoft's Zune is an iPod-like multimedia player widely available in retail outlets around the U.S., priced at about $250. It is reportedly based on a Freescale i.MX31, the first commercially available SoC (system-on-chip) powered by an ARM11 core. The Zune is optionally available with a cradle aimed at enabling it to record content from video sources such as televisions and set-top boxes.

Additional details about the Zune can be found on WindowsForDevices, here.

Meanwhile, a Linux port for Apple iPods enables the devices to be used as voice recorders, with the headphones serving as a microphone.

 
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