HTC HD2 Android and Ubuntu Builds Now Available

As we slowly approach the end of the Windows Mobile handset legacy, some of the Windows handsets have been spotted running open sourced operating systems shortly after their release. With Windows Phone 7 around the corner, the HD2 will surely be one of the last phone spotted running Windows Mobile, but you can extend the life of the phone by installing an OS of your choice between Ubuntu Karmic Koala or Android 2.1 The builds have been made for general consumption thanks to the folks over at XDA developers and installing them is something you should attempt to do at your own risk. Luckily, neither of them touch the phone's internal flash, so you can always just reset the phone to the comfort of Windows Mobile. If you are feeling adventurous then try them out and drop us a comment with your experience.

Note:

* None of the current releases will touch your internal flash. All changes made in Linux are stored inside files on the Storage Card. After a soft reset (press little red button under battery cover) you get back to your WM 6.5 !
* All running windows mobile programs are closed without notice when you boot Linux. Save your documents before running HaRET
* Make sure you have at least a 2.08 radio rom version. If you have an older version you might not be able to boot Linux
* Note that all of this is work in progress. Don't expect a perfectly smooth operating system yet

Ubuntu:

Ubuntu 'Karmic Koala' for HD2 version 0.1

Needs Storage Card with at least 2GB free space. Recommended is a fast Storage Card (Class 4 is ok)
This is intended to be used as a netbook/desktop type setup with keyboard and mouse connected via USB. Check this site for information on how to do this.

Be sure to read included README.txt for install instructions, features and developer information.
Quick instructions: Put the ubuntu directory into the main/root directory of your Storage Card and tap HaRET executable.
password: ubuntu
use shutdown button to stop the system cleanly

Size: 635M
md5sum: 327a4b2c17e14dd5649964fe18f837e9
Mirrors:
http://linuxtogo.org/~lgorris/hd2/hd2-ubuntu_0.1.zip
http://gamesquare.co.uk/hd2-ubuntu_0.1.zip

Android:

Global instructions: Just extract to Storage Card root directory and run HaRET executable.
Note this is not specifically designed for the hd2. It is just the hd2 kernel with random android rootfilesystems - It makes no sense to discuss usability of those builds

Android build with HTC sense (tm)
composed by DarkStone1337
http://gamesquare.co.uk/LEO_SENSE.7z

Different random build
http://media2a.com/android/Android_Boot_Test_TS.zip

Builds for Advanced Users:

zImage (latest kernel build)
http://linuxtogo.org/~lgorris/hd2/zImage

HaRET (bootloader)
http://www.netripper.com/leo/haret-p...D8250-ONLY.exe

startup.txt (bootloader configuration)
http://linuxtogo.org/~lgorris/hd2/startup.txt

rootfilesystem (initrds etc.)

Let us know how it goes in the comments section below, and stay tuned for more news and info by following us on Twitter and/or subscribing to our RSS feeds.