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HTC Unlocks Bootloader For All of Its Devices
An anonymous reader writes "HTCDEV announced today: 'HTC is committed to listening to users and delivering customer satisfaction. We plan on releasing the updates that will allow you to unlock your bootloader in the coming months.' However, they do note this: 'It is our responsibility to caution you that not all claims resulting or caused by or from the unlocking of the bootloader may be covered under warranty,' and this: 'We strongly suggest that you do not unlock the bootloader unless you are confident that you understand the risks involved.' This looks like a new year gift to some."
Now, if only Motorola can do the same, I'd be a lot happier with the Atrix I'm posting this from. (I love the gigantic battery in this thing, but I don't want to be stuck with Gingerbread on a premium phone that's only a few months old).
All devices? It only applies to "All HTC Android devices launched after September 2011". Also, tho process means they will have a record of a certain device requesting such unlock, possibly affecting warranty.
I'll be in the market for a phone in the next few months...I'll remember this.
Dude what? This is HTC copying what Sony Ericsson did months ago:
http://unlockbootloader.sonyericsson.com/
They even went further and released an ICS alpha build to the dev community before christmas!
http://developer.sonyericsson.com/wp/2011/12/15/ice-cream-sandwich-alpha-rom-available-for-unlocked-xperia-phones/
I'm another person with an HTC phone. What I really want from my next phone is Android without Sense UI crapping it up. Yes, I could get an HTC phone and put CyanogenMod on it, but I'd rather support manufacturers who give me what I really want without having to invalidate my warranty and mess with firmware.
But of course you can! Buy one of the nexus series phone, and you'll get the pure android experience and direct support from google for software updates. As for me, I recently switched from HTC Desire Z (which got stolen) to Nexus S, and I'm already missing the text reflow on the built in browser, pinch to switch browser window, the ability to force the phone to use 3G only (you need to enter certain code to get to that option on a plain android), HTC IME keyboard, and lots of other tweaks from HTC.
Actually, it doesn't even include all of their Android phones either, take a look at the link. The Amaze 4G, EVO 3D, EVO 4G, EVO Design, EVO View 4G, Flyer, MyTouch Slide 4G, S710d, and Sensation are the only phones listed. Also worth noting is that you have to register a developer's account and send your device ID to HTC to get the proper unlock file back. While allowing users to unlock their phones is great, I'll stick to the traditional method of using third party tools.
SonyEricsson are not Sony, in the same way that SCEE aren't SME either. Yes, the whole brand has been tainted, but it's not necessarily because of anything the mobile phone guys did.
If God forks the Universe every time you roll a die, he'd better have a damned good memory.
"They got hacked and basically gave no fucks."
Not true. They took countermeasures to protect against such an event occuring again. Specifically, they updated the PSN licence agreement to forbid users from bringing class-action lawsuits.