Windows Phone 7 can run native code, expect a jailbreak soon

[Emil]

Windows Phone 7 can run native code. Until today, it was believed that third-party WP7 apps could only be written in Silverlight. The ability to jailbreak Microsoft's latest mobile operating system may come sooner than you think.

First, a user by the name of hounsell on the XDA Developers noticed one of the recent additions to the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace, Network Profile by Samsung, used native code, as opposed to Silverlight-managed code. He then went on to document the application characteristics that gave it its native capabilities, including a DLL called "Microsoft.Phone.InteropServices" that provides COM access.

Building on this, Australian developer Chris Walsh (via istartedsomething) managed to prove it is possible to run native unmanaged code on a retail Windows Phone 7 device. He coded and deployed a WP7 application with native code using the developer sideloading process. The method requires a Windows Phone developer account and registered device to load the application. All that remains is writing a solid jailbreaking application and figuring out a way to distribute it (it's not like Microsoft will let it on the Marketplace).

Walsh is promising tutorials on hooking into the file system and registry access. He notes, however, that apps using these hooks are still running as managed tasks, meaning the kernel can still kill, suspend, and so on to any of them, just like for any typical WP7 app.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/41112-windows-phone-7-can-run-native-code-expect-a-jailbreak-soon.html

 

[Nima304]

Gotta love smartphones. They're so easy to exploit.

 

[Chazz]

Another one bites the dust. I can't wait to see what they can get as a result of this.

 

[Recipe7]

This may be good news though. A jailbroken phone = more people interested.

 

[fpsgamerJR62]

Jailbroken phone = more app choices, also = greater chance of getting viruses or malware

 

[sMILEY4ever]

fpsgamerJR62 said:
Jailbroken phone = more app choices, also = greater chance of getting viruses or malware

It's like saying cars are bad because a lot of people die in car accidents. Stuff happens.

 

[bioflex]

just one word......sweet, still looking forward to a windows 7 phone so badly.

 

[MrAnderson]

Just one unword... Duh... of course it runs native code.

What do you think MS wrote the base applications with. I doubt the IE mobile browser is Silverlight or XNA...

And of course people will try to free it. It is the way of computer tech people everywhere and we love them for it. Its great to have options for now or later.

 

[fritz123]

a jailbroken phone also means more people will develop apps. it will get a lot more people interested on the platform. more apps will probably attract more buyers. more buyers=more money. so having the jailbreak is good news right?

 

[Micro Watt]

IDK that apps can only be written in silver light (till now). I reaqlly enjoyed making little programs for my HP iPaq 110. I used Visual Basic.Net to create neat little apps. Sad to see that I won't be able to easily make any apps for the new Win Phone 7

 

[MrAnderson]

Its the same as the Apple SDK only... it is only controled in the software. The hardware can run native code if you get passed the software blocks. But it still stands that when you start downloading software that almost anyone can right, you own personal security is more in danger. We have less tools to determine what our phones are doing then on our desktop machines. These are new times for security threats if you don't have strong technical skills, and even then...

 

[poertner_1274]

This is the great part of technology. Bring out something new and it will be taken apart and investigated through and through until someone figure out exactly how it works.

I love this.

 

[Leeky]

This is the great part of technology. Bring out something new and it will be taken apart and investigated through and through until someone figure out exactly how it works.

I love this.

Seconded.

How long before a Linux based or derived kernel is seen to be running on a W7 phone though. :haha: