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HTC Unlocks Bootloader For All of Its Devices

Posted by timothy on from the hunting-goodwill dept.

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."

8 of 133 comments (clear)

  1. This is good news! by americamatrix · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Congrats to HTC for actually knowing what their customers want and giving it to them.

    Hopefully some other companies follow suit as well!


    -americamatrix

    1. Re:This is good news! by bennomatic · · Score: 3, Insightful

      If other companies don't follow suit, this is a huge differentiator for HTC. Caveats aside, this will make it easier for their customers to reap the same advantages of updates that iPhone owners have had for a couple of generations. Of course, it's the same disadvantages, too. Most 3GS owners, for example, would suggest that their device's support of iOS 5 is, well, limited. Upgrading an old device to ICS may yield a similar ratio of unhappy people.

      Of course, they can always downgrade...

      --
      The CB App. What's your 20?
    2. Re:This is good news! by Mordok-DestroyerOfWo · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I've always been happy with HTC and took it as a given that I'd have to find some way to unlock the bootloader on my own (thank you, XDA!). I figured that if a company ever trusted me enough to give me that kind of access on a competitive product I'd purchase my next phone through them. I don't think this will mean a whole lot more business for HTC, but it will make the existing ones much happier.

      --
      "Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right" - Salvor Hardin
    3. Re:This is good news! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

      See, while I agree Sony did a cool thing with the Android issue...does it really negate all those douchey things they've done for years?

      They locked down the playstation so no more Linux.

      Every damn device they release uses their obnoxious memory card. It might be superior to the others it might not, but the difference is, it isn't standard. It's been around for a decade and still isn't standard. And it's expensive.

      They got hacked and basically gave no fucks.

      So I might buy an Ericson if faced with a choice, but I would probably buy the HTC. Just sayin'...

  2. In other words, we hate updating software by blahbooboo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Like most hardware manufacturers, they are trying to get out of updating and maintaining software since it's a loss for them. Unlocking lets the whiners who notice or care about updates go play and leave HTC alone to abandon the handsets after ~12 months post release. It's the real challenge Android has versus WebOs, Windows Phone, and iOS. (Yes, I know get a Nexus, but Google abandoned their first phone already too)

    1. Re:In other words, we hate updating software by oakgrove · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Like most hardware manufacturers, they are trying to get out of updating and maintaining software since it's a loss for them.

      So, you're saying HTC is using this as an excuse to not update their software? Last I checked if an OEM doesn't want to update, they just don't. They don't need to throw any bones. You're reading way too much into this.

      Unlocking lets the whiners who notice or care about updates go play and leave HTC alone to abandon the handsets after ~12 months post release.

      So people that want to use their devices with their own software are "whiners" now? I thought they were paying enthusiastic customers who might or might not have a trusted opinion their less tech savvy friends and family might be relying on to make future smart phone purchases.

      It's the real challenge Android has versus WebOs, Windows Phone, and iOS.

      Normal people don't care about updates or unlocked boot loaders. Do a poll of the next 100 Android users you see and see how many of them even know what version of Android they are on and if there is a newer version than what they have. You will find that the vast majority don't know and will be more annoyed by the question than anything else because they just don't care. Updated competitor handsets is not what Android has to worry about. Android has the formula down pat. Give the customer the features they want at the price they are willing to pay. That's it. In that arena, only windows phone has a hope of competing in any time soon if they can get the price of the handsets down with some cheap SOCs. Until that happens, Android will reign supreme as it has for a while now and the dominance will only accelerate because the formula ain't changing anytime soon.

      --
      The soylentnews experiment has been a dismal failure.
    2. Re:In other words, we hate updating software by mounthood · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Like most hardware manufacturers, they are trying to get out of updating and maintaining software since it's a loss for them. Unlocking lets the whiners who notice or care about updates go play and leave HTC alone to abandon the handsets after ~12 months post release.

      Divide and conquer: complain when it's locked; complain when it's unlocked. If their update process is the problem, why are you complaining about unlocking the boot loader, which lets you update when you want? Your problem isn't fixed by this change, so you're complaining about this change?

      I want to *own* and control the hardware I buy. Unlocking is about more then just an update schedule.

      --
      tomorrow who's gonna fuss
  3. @Motorola - hope you're paying attention! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Hopefully Motorola will also be "committed to listening to users and delivering customer satisfaction" and do the same.