Good News Is Here (OS 4.1&SAM440 amigakit.com)

[Trev]

It's probably been said, but tying OS4 to specific hardware keeps everything under their control. If OS4 were an open platform (not open source, just open specifications), you'd see boot loaders, drivers, and other bits popping up for all sorts of platforms: Mac, Gamecube, PS3, Xbox 360, RS/6000, iSeries, etc. Platforms based on the PowerPC and its derivatives are plentiful. Amiga, Inc. legal issues aside, Hyperion is the only thing between OS4 and a solid, open future.

[Trev]

@matthey

I don't think anyone actually believes OS4 (or any other Amiga-like operating system) will directly compete with Windows. In truth, they're not even viable Windows replacements for enthusiasts.

It is true, however, that the days of hardware differentiation are over. There's nothing about the SAM440, Efika, AmigaOne, Pegasos, et al that sets them apart from any other platform, PowerPC or otherwise. It's just a frustrating attempt at continuing the marketing practices of yesteryear.

Whether or not OS4 would be successful on x86 is arguable, but it would at least guarantee deliverability to 100% of the Amiga userbase. I'm sure someone, somewhere has run the numbers. That could explain why Amiga, Inc. put what resources they had behind Amiga Anywhere and outsourcing, i.e. there's no money in OS4 as a general purpose operating environment.

[Trev]

@Hans_

I know, and I think it was a mistake to stick with PowerPC in the first place. Of course, what's to prevent them from porting the operating environment to an existing kernel on another platform?

@AeroMan

I'm itching for a PS3 port, too ("more powerful" is questionable), although one presumes Hyperion would still have significant hurdles to overcome, particularly where parallel processing is concerned. The hardware is certainly at a price point most enthusiasts can afford.

My favorite dream option: port OS4 to a portable hypervisor and add native hardware support where it makes sense.

[Trev]

I don't think Hyperion is too concerned about what they do or don't have a license to do. As far as they're concerned, they own OS4 and have a perpetual license to use the Amiga OS trademark.

I think OS4 will eventually go the way of all other "cool" Amiga things though, e.g. Amithlon and the new Amiga Guru Book: some middle aged hacker will get butt hurt and rather than act like a reasonable adult and resolve their issues, they'll whine and complain and stop sharing. ;-)

[Trev]

@jorkany

I guess that could be interpreted multiple ways, but considering Hyperion's history with Linux....

@CLS2086

Counterfeiting? No. Copyright infringement? Perhaps. Trademark infringement? Perhaps. Breach of contract? Perhaps.

@AeroMan

Yes, sir. The PS3 could (should!) be the platform of choice for 0S4. Hyperion and the community would gain the benefits of volume purchasing essentially for free.

That leaves ACube in a hard place, but if they're brought in to manage the boot loader and hardware abstraction (assuming this is their thing), then everyone wins. ACube can still push custom hardware and OS4 on the industrial market. There's also the matter of display performance. Access to the PS3's display hardware is managed by the hypervisor, so there would still be a market for Amiga users wanted high-performance graphics solutions.

@all

AMD is having difficulty keeping up with the Joneses. Intel and nVidia are definitely the price/performance leaders.

[Trev]

@amigadave

The system on eBay is very complete and has several
nice pieces of hardware.

Rather, it did until those pieces were manhandled out of the chassis and recklessly photographed on the seller's static-loving carpet.