Smartcase allows iPhone users to run Android - video
New York developer creates 'magic' chunky cover that switches Apple's device to Google's software
The developer responsible for rigging an Apple Watch to run Windows 95 is back and this time he's smashed two of the smartphone world's giants together.
In a detailed blog post, Nick Lee, of New York-based product design and development studio Tendigi, unveils a new phone case that will allow an iOS-fitted Apple iPhones to run Google's rival Android system.
As Alphr explains, to make the "magic" cover, Lee made use of the open source nature of Android OS to modify its most recent software, Marshmallow, and allow it to run through a USB-C/Lightning Port connection.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The whole thing is wrapped up in a chunky looking 3D-printed case. It's not sleek by any stretch of the imagination, but it features HDMI and USB ports, plus expandable Micro SD card storage.
Strictly speaking, the setup isn't an iPhone running Android as its operating system, says Mashable. "The iPhone is effectively being used as a surrogate display for the Android board," it argues, and the Android OS actually runs through an app, which is why there are one or two teething problems: the system is a little jittery and doesn't fill the entire screen, although overall everything seems to be in place and works.
Because this is effectively Android running inside the bounds of the Apple system, a tap on the iPhone's home button will bring users straight back to the iOS homepage they are familiar with.
"Here at Tendigi, we’re no strangers to putting strange operating systems on Apple hardware," says Lee. Who knows what we'll see next?
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
The Internet Archive is under attack
Under the Radar The non-profit behind open access digital library was hit with both a data breach and a stream of DDoS attacks in one week
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'Stunningly lifelike' AI podcasts are here
Under the Radar Users are amazed – and creators unnerved – by Google tool that generates human conversation from text in moments
By Abby Wilson Published
-
How will the introduction of AI change Apple's iPhone?
Today's Big Question 'Apple Intelligence' is set to be introduced on the iPhone 16 as part of iOS 18
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
FDA OKs Apple AirPods as OTC hearing aids
Speed read The approved software will turn Apple's AirPods Pro 2 headphones into over-the-counter hearing aids
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Will the Google antitrust ruling shake up the internet?
Today's Big Question And what does that mean for users?
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Wall Street tumbles on poor tech results
Speed Read US markets had their worst day since 2022 as Tesla and AI stocks dropped
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why is the tech industry up in arms about Google's search algorithm leak?
Today's Big Question A leak of about 2,500 documents shed light on how Google's search engine operates, and not everyone is happy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Apple unveils AI integration, ChatGPT partnership
Speed Read AI capabilities will be added to a bulked-up Siri and other apps, in partnership with OpenAI's ChatGPT
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published