Apple's HDMI-Lightning Dongle Successfully Runs 'Doom'

In a surprising twist, a tech enthusiast has demonstrated that Apple's Lightning Digital AV Adapter, primarily designed for streaming video and audio from iPhones and iPads to HDMI displays, can also run the classic video game 'Doom'. This revelation highlights the hidden capabilities of the device, which retails for approximately 59 euros.

The HDMI-Lightning dongle, typically used to connect Apple devices to monitors, televisions, or projectors, has been repurposed by a hacker who successfully executed a jailbreak on the adapter. This jailbreak revealed that the dongle contains a powerful System on Chip (SoC) capable of running a stripped-down version of iOS.

In a demonstration, the YouTuber known as 'Nyan Satan' showcased the process of running 'Doom' directly from the dongle. By circumventing the device's security measures, he was able to unleash the game, achieving a commendable frame rate. However, the dongle's limited memory necessitated a connection to a Mac via a Lightning to USB-C adapter, with the dongle outputting to a standard monitor.

While this innovative use of the adapter proves its computational potential, the setup is still a work in progress. The hacker has acknowledged that further refinements are needed to optimize the gaming experience. As of now, specific details on how the jailbreak was accomplished remain undisclosed, but the hacker has hinted at a future write-up to explain the technical aspects.

This discovery isn't entirely new; the notion that the dongle functions as a computer has been known since 2019. It operates with a Darwin kernel and implements Apple's Secure Boot technology. Recently, the hacker received suggestions to attempt porting Linux to the device, though the feasibility of such an endeavor remains uncertain.

Notably, newer iPhone models, starting from the 15th generation, no longer require the HDMI-Lightning dongle for display connections, as they feature USB-C ports that support direct connections to USB-C monitors.

This development opens up exciting possibilities for hardware enthusiasts and gamers alike, demonstrating that even seemingly mundane devices can hold hidden capabilities.