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Apple Locks Down Intel Tiger Kernel

by , 2:30 PM EDT, June 27th, 2006

In what appears to be a move to curb piracy, Apple is not releasing open source Darwin code for Intel-based Macs. According to TechNewsWorld, withholding the Intel version of the code that Apple makes freely available to G3, G4, and G5 Mac users is intended to stop potential hardware pirates from making unauthorized Intel Mac clones and installing their own operating system based off of the Darwin code.

Darwin is the open source core of Mac OS X. Apple makes the code available on its Web site, but does not offer the proprietary Aqua graphic interface for free.

The average home user that isn't even aware that Apple releases the underpinnings of Mac OS X for free isn't likely to be concerned by Apple's decision, but power users and programmers that want to optimize their system performance for specific tasks will be. These users often want to optimize network throughput for specialized servers, or maximize the processor usage for data-intensive tasks.

Other technologies that Apple has traditionally made available as open source, like QuickTime Streaming Server and Bonjour, are still available.

The future of an open source version of Darwin for Intel Macs is in question. Right now, Apple says that the state of an OS X-compatible open source x86 Darwin kernel is "in flux."

ComputerWorld's Tom Yager recently met with Apple to discuss his concerns over the closed nature of the Intel version of the Darwin kernel. He feels Apple will eventually re-open the Darwin kernel for Intel Macs, but until then, some users will stay away.

TMO originally covered this issue in May.

Observer Comments

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Close Name:Tiger Posts: 937 Joined: 17 Jun 2003
Tue Jun 27, 2006 3:39 pm Subject: more likely

It is more likely that developers who wish to have access to the kernel will be able to petition Apple for access to do so and have to sign NDAs to get it. It won't be made "freely" available to the public at large, but rather to a user or group that is a trusted and known entity who won't be a threat do redistribute or worse, pirate the code.

That said, I bet Tom Yager is first in line. Although very vocal and often critical, he seems to take the logical approach and state his case very well.


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Close Name:brett_x Posts: 312 Joined: 24 Jan 2006
Tue Jun 27, 2006 4:17 pm Subject: Deja vu?

Am I having DeJa Vu? Or was this story already reported yesterday:
http://www.macobserver.com/article/2006/06/26.15.shtml
Am I missing something?? Where's the new information to make it worth writing about 2 days in a row? With the heading "Apple Locks Down Intel Tiger Kernel", I expected to see that Apple officially locked down the kernel. Instead, they just still haven't opened it up. That is very much different.
Let's not make a stir about something that hasn't changed... especially 2 days in a row.


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Close Name:Rainy Day Posts: 607 Joined: 07 Jun 2005
Sat Jul 01, 2006 2:58 am Subject: Fact Checking

You might want to read this: The 'Mac OS X Closed by Pirates' Myth


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