Meizu M8 Runs Hacked iOS, Grabs Apps from iTunes

A bunch of code-savvy individuals have successfully employed an unconfirmed hack to enable Meizu M8 handsets to run Apple’s iOS mobile operating system. The Meizu M8 has been under heavy criticism for it resembles the Apple iPhone 3GS in almost every aspect.

Adding insult to injury, the knock-off now even runs the iPhone’s operating system, allowing users to carry out tasks such as visiting the App Store and downloading apps.

Given that transactions need to be made using a valid Apple ID, this should not constitute an illicit practice on its own, though it surely doesn’t fall well with Apple whose OS hasn’t been acquainted with the M8’s silicone chips.

As expected, the ‘solution’ (if you will) does not support calls. iOS is well trained to carry them out, but only as long as it runs on actual Apple iPhones.

According to OS X Daily, missing microphone drivers are preventing the M8 to make calls with iOS. But the skilled coders are expected to make the proper adjustments before Apple is even fully briefed on the latest hacking practices involving its mobile OS.

According to the aforementioned source, those working on the iOS port say “We want those who wish to experience iPhone OS to be able to without having to buy the expensive iPhone”.

Softpedia note
Our question is “why?” They know it’s illegal, and it’s not like stealing from the rich to give to the poor. What they’re giving the poor is a poor iOS port with poor functionality on an even poorer piece of hardware.

At least the iPhone Dev Team is promoting hacks that make iOS a bit more open, while everything stays in place - both the original OS, and the original hardware. And even they are bad guys, so to speak.

Meizu CEO Jack Wong revealed last year that the company had been undergoing negotiations with Apple regarding an M9 handset.

While some of the details of their ‘negotiations’ remained unclear, Jack felt that Apple's lawyers had been using “less than decent negotiation tactics,” according to a person identified as Err0r in an October 5 post on the MeizuMe forums.