Gemini Bootloader going open source...?

[Grench]

In this video:
https://pyra-handheld.com/boards/threads/pl...20#post-1433606

At 19:00 (ish) the guy from Planet Computers talks about taking the Gemini bootloader open source in the next few days or weeks.

Ultimate.  Unlocked.  Bootloader.

This should allow us to boot any OS we want, from eMMC or microSDXC and, if released, ensure that the Gemini is never ever obsoleted due to the manufacturer ending updates.

That is important for Android too.  Personally I own a Galaxy Note 3.  Hardware wise it was bleeding edge when released and even today is better than most mid-range Android phones.  It is stuck forever on Android 5.0 as Samsung as ended support and the bootloader is locked.  That is why I'm leaving Samsung

Give us quality devices combined with the philosophy that allows releasing an open source bootloader ensuring that we will always be theoretically capable of updating our own devices?  Yeah, I'll be a long term customer at that point.

[Murple2]

It's really good news, but getting the kernel source at this stage would be more useful. There are normally preboot firmware blobs needed as well to create a flashable image - hopefully these are included. It's rare for those to be opensource buts its happened with some of the ARM chrombooks so fingers crossed. Compiling and flashing bare metal stuff like this is a fun way to brick a device so not for the feignt hearted. Of course if they are only releasing a bootloader that runs further down the chain then it's less of an issue.

What would be super useful/interesting is a full description of the boot process. Who watches the watcher? Oops I mean what boots the bootloader?

Edit: I've just watched the video at David talks about both the kernel and the bootloader source being released in the coming "days or weeks"

[user]

Kernel & bootloader source have already been released

[Murple2]

Kernel & bootloader source have already been released

Woohoo!

[Grench]

Kernel & bootloader source have already been released

Woohoo!

Fantastic!  Now, quick, someone create a 'developers bootoader' that kicks off with a menu allowing the user to pick boot target from a list of all partitions on the eMMC and microSDXC.

First one to 10 fully boot capable distinct OSs on their Gemini wins bragging rights.