HP adopts WebOS Internals' homebrew compcache configuration in webOS 2.1 26
Tue, 22 Feb 2011 7:47 pm EST
Homebrew group WebOS Internals has long mandated that any kernels and patches distributed through their system be fully open source such that if HP (previously Palm) wanted to adopt the work into webOS they would be more than able to do so with zero legal ramifications. While there have been many calls for patch X or kernel Y to be integrated into webOS, we haven’t seen the bait taken. Until now.
In analyzing the webOS 2.1 update released for European Pre Plus owners, WebOS Internals chief Rod Whitby noticed something that looked very familiar: a slightly modified version of their compcache configuration in the webOS kernel. Whitby assures us that this is most definitely the webOS-specific method of using compcache for combating memory issues as configured by the homebrew developer community, and that it looks like HP may have even made some changes to make it even better.
Okay, now you’re probably wondering what compcache is all about and why it even matters. Here’s the deal: compcache is not a new invention: it’s an amalgamation of the words “compressed cache.” Compcache virtually increases the available space in your RAM by allotting a slice for compressing cache items, in essence making things in your RAM take up less space, and thus enabling more things to be stored in your RAM. For devices like the original Palm Pre, webOS Internals implemented compcache in their custom kernels to virtually increase the 256MB of RAM and allow more apps to run simultaneously and cut back drastically on the dreaded “Too many cards” errors.
HP has taken this implementation of compcache from WebOS Internals and integrated it in their webOS 2.1 kernel. It sets aside 10MB of RAM as compcache space, allowing the more resource-intensive 2.1 to run on older devices like the original Pre and Pre Plus. Perhaps HP was saying "thanks for the code" when they gave WebOS Internals that spiffy new server.
26 Comments
this is so freakin' cool. Serious props to HP. Obviously there's a lot of controversy about this 2.1 update, but they communicate more with their userbase than almost any other company
since its now coming from hp, does that mean its considered closed source now?
No, never was, never will be. The "compcache" code is open source and HP's implementation must (and does) abide by that. Edit: although that said, Palm hasn't yet released the 2.1.0 source code to opensource.palm.com - probably a matter of time however.
And as noted in @webosinternals, the "compcache" code isn't theirs either, they just ported it to webOS to boost performance for low-memory devices. The Android homebrew community has done similar.
Still. Extremely cool. I think the "original Pre" part of quote "allowing the more resource-intensive 2.1 to run on older devices like the original Pre and Pre Plus" is a bit speculative...
You may wish to peruse http://opensource.palm.com
-- Rod
It was GPL already before anyone even put it on WebOS http://code.google.com/p/compcache/
Its a similar setup, I don't think webos internals invented compcache.
Correct, neither WebOS Internals or this article (after I had Dieter update it) implies that we invented compcache.
We invented how it is used on webOS devices to combat memory issues.
The compcache kernel module is a well-known GPL upstream package.
-- Rod
I kinda like the sound of this. Will wait patiently for a stable US doctor for my 6 month old VZW Pre(+)
Testament to the awesome WebOSInternals team and HP/Palm's openness. Very cool.
I'll be waiting patiently as well for my pre- from sprint.
Thanks a million WebOS internal group.
HP made some changes to make it better? I wonder how long it will take for us to see those changes in our Pre- kernels.
If HP actually has made it better, which remains to be seen, I'm sure we'll see them very quickly after HP releases the source code, which they are required to do under the GPL.
From everything I've seen, Rod and the other WebOSInternals guys all follow the traditional Linux mindset, which is that true innovations are welcome, and sharing code in both directions is a fundamental responsibility.
very cool. Props to webOSinternals and HP and homebrew. Let's quit griping so much and just give everyone time to think and work beyond. We legacy pre's will get good stuff. I am sure Palm and HP had every intent to give us upgrade to webos2. Just hasn't worked out yet. It will.
The only way HP/Palm will do so, is we give them pressure.
The abandonment of their most loyal users is a clear business calculation. To force us spending more money on their new products, and to reduce spending.
They need to be called out for what they did, otherwise they will just push us around, even tho we are the one who supported them from the beginning, and stayed onboard when other options are available.
They are being extremely ungrateful and arrogant. They need to know we are not to be taken for granted.
Wow, talk about "ungrateful and arrogant", let's add "self-entitled" to your own personal adjectives.
We CHOSE to stick with WebOS, no one held a gun to our heads, HP owes us NOTHING (especially petulant children like yourself). They have done more to continue supporting legacy users and engage their core base than any other OS provider. Android cuts updates as short as 6 months after launch, Apple prosecutes users for daring to look behind the curtain of products they've bought. Someone as conceited and self-entitled as yourself would make even the "Me" generation blush.
Hi all,
This makes me more proud of the Home brew Community then I ever was, (which is saying a lot)...
We all owe a huge debt to the Home brew community...many of them have tolled countless hours for free or for very like funds for the benefit if the rest of us...To that I say THANK YOU!
HP has just shown they are always open to the ideas of the home brewers as well as a tremendous vote of confidence of all of the hard work that makes up the community.
Unlike other smart phone OS's, webOS, Palm & HP have always worked to gether....
Now that HP has pumped so much $ into Palm, we will see more input from both HP & the Home brew community.
This will also cause the app catalog to continue growing rapidly....along with the fact that HP has made it very clear that they will convert existing apps to the webOS for the developers....which is fantastic for all of us...it means more apps, more sales for the app writers and therefore a larger webOS & Home brew community.
This way we all win!
Take care,
Jay
BEHOLD THE TRUE MEANING OF WEBOS lol
I tell you guys, no other OS community, as big or large as they may be, come close to the drive, and smartness that the Homebrew community has!
Props to you guys!
This was an intelligent move by HP/Palm. Kudos!
That's what I'm talkin bout ;)
Is that supposed to be funny? A photo of a legacy Pre Minus on an article about WebOS 2.x! NLOL. Definitely NLOL.
- Sent from my Palm Prē
Now Palm just needs to adopt overclocking, and use Preware to distribute a 2.1 doctor for every carrier...
PAAAALLLLMMMM!!!
now for adopting garbage collection..
What a pathetic company. A huge organization like HP needs hackers to make their products usable. That's embarrassing.
Your an idiot. Plain and simple. That is how companies become companies and how innovations come about.
On top of all of that if you read any of the above information and posts you would clearly see that that is the point of the Open Source GPL. D-bag.
what is with the first palm pre..no love for us here in Germany..thanks for nothing HP...you suck
I don't see why the Pre Plus itself would "need" virtual memory considering it has the same amount of RAM as the Pre 3. Though certainly I don't object to virtual memory being available for use even if their is plenty of memory.
10MB of virtual memory seems a bit small though, is it only able to be used by the OS or is it shared?