Unlocked Bootloader - I think so!!

[wildtouch83]

2. i wouldn't be surprised if they're referring to future phones only

HTC's official statement...

"There has been overwhelmingly customer feedback that people want access to open bootloaders on HTC phones. I want you to know that we've listened. Today, I'm confirming we will no longer be locking the bootloaders on our devices. Thanks for your passion, support and patience," Peter Chou, CEO of HTC

 

[telemore]

Heck yeah. This is great.... I wonder if they'll release an update for current gen handsets to unlock it...?

 

[EarlyMon]

Thats awasome!!! After emailing all the top guns at HTC a few days ago, I wake up to this email from Peter Chou at HTC:


Dear Greg,

Thank you for your support to htc. We hear your concern. And we take it seriously and now we will unlock it.
Our original intent was to reduce the potential quality problem when user upgrade their phone.
Any way we will unlock it. Customer satisfaction is very important for us and we want you have a good experience when you deal with htc.
Thanks again for your support.

Best Regards.

Peter

Made my day and then some!!!

Talk about calling the White House and having the President answer the phone!

 

[Skorpios1027]

That is great news! Thanks for listening HTC!

 

[valorian]

Just read this in the Blog page.

Verizon Support: An HTC Device With an Unlocked Bootloader Cannot Be Activated on Our Network

 

[valorian]

To counter HTC's news.....

Verizon Support: An HTC Device With an Unlocked Bootloader Cannot Be Activated on Our Network

 

[Usta]

Bootloader subject seems to be super popular today.
Here is another article going into the details of bootloaders locking/signing posted at Androidpolice.
So You Want To Know About Bootloaders, Encryption, Signing, And Locking? Let Me Explain | Android News, Reviews, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets, Tips, Mods, Videos, Tutorials - Android Police

 

[flyjbaker]

All that is left is for HTC to amend the rules of how you can use your phone so even when you root your phone it is still covered by insurance and warranty

You have to be fair to the manufacturer here. What you are saying is that you can do absolutely anything to your phone and you want insurance/warranty to cover it???? That is somewhat off base if you think about it. What if you put a 200 shot of nitrous on your car....would you expect the warranty to cover it if you burned a hole in a piston??? Of course not. You are certainly free to do what you wish to your phone but if you go "outside the lines"....ie root, then you are responsible if you screw it up. That is only fair and reasonable. Now if you root and the hardware breaks, then it should be covered....if that is what you are talking about....since rooting has nothing to do with the hardware.

 

[Jackietreehorn]

Yeah, it would seem so Early, but I received the exact same email, word for word about ten hours ago. Even if it is a mass reply, still adds a bit of a personal touch.

I replied to it though with questions about recovery and kernel signing...hope to hear back on that, or that we hear sooner rather than later. Would it seem dumb to unlock the bootloader and keep other areas locked down? Sure, but would you put it past really any company at this point?

 

[EarlyMon]

My opinion on that in the don't panic thread.

 

[jerofld]

Wouldn't an unlocked bootloader permit you to overwrite anything else, protected or not?

 

[EddyOS]

HTC just need to make the RUUs available for all handsets - branded and unbranded - so people can revert back to stock if needed

 

[LBPHeretic]

So, this will cover the Sprint HTC EVO 3D too, eh? That is fantastic news.

Wow, a flurry of anger from the Android development community, including me, got them to bend. Color me extremely impressed.

 

[rb312102]

Here is a link with the email people have been getting HTC EVO 3D bootloader to be unlocked

It's vague to say the least "Any way we will unlock it." So will it ship unlocked or will they unlock it ota or just release the keys is the big question.

 

[LBPHeretic]

Here is a link with the email people have been getting HTC EVO 3D bootloader to be unlocked

It's vague to say the least "Any way we will unlock it." So will it ship unlocked or will they unlock it ota or just release the keys is the big question.

As long as they do, indeed, follow through and unlock it, I will be happy. It may be an OTA thing as mentioned by several members before this good news even appeared.

I am riding a rush of excitement about this right now. Haha.

 

[trophynuts]

To counter HTC's news.....

Verizon Support: An HTC Device With an Unlocked Bootloader Cannot Be Activated on Our Network

All Clear: Verizon WILL Allow Unlocked Bootloaders on Their Network

LOL and right back at ya

 

[Mr. Clean]

So, being an Android nooB, what does this change do for me?

 

[EarlyMon]

Android is kinda like a PC in that you normally do things from a user account, but if you want to do fancy stuff, you need an admin account.

Getting admin account access on Android is called rooting your phone (because the admin user name = root).

With the bootloader locked down the way they had, many customizations would have been impossible for us.

More info on the ins, outs, and descriptive terms here: http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all-things-root/129648-quick-intro-rooting-those-new-rooting.html

Rooting and customizing isn't everyone's cup of tea, most people are happy with their phones right out of the box.

For many of us, those customizations make or break the enjoyment of our Android use.

The above link will help clarify.

 

[valorian]

All Clear: Verizon WILL Allow Unlocked Bootloaders on Their Network

LOL and right back at ya

, yeah, I saw this shortly after I posted this.

 

[fattank]

I guess everyone who has been threatening to walk and cursing HTC will have amnesia and go buy their products now.

You bet. Sign me up! And my friends and family! It's 3D time, baby!! Add qHD 16:9 and MHL+bluetooth keyboard and we're rearin' for the big haul.

 

[iowabowtech]

Kick ass. Wasn't planning on buying a moto anytime soon but this seals the deal.

 

[Medion]

Good news. I was looking at an Incredible 2, but due to the rooting issue, I started to let my thoughts wander to other brands. Still, the Incredible 2 is locked down, so I'm going to have to hold off regardless.

 

[scotty85]

the Incredible 2 is locked down,

moreso than the thunderbolt?

 

[Medion]

moreso than the thunderbolt?

Both the Incredible 2 and the Incredible S it's derived from have yet to be perma-rooted or S-Off without an XTC Clip.

 

[scotty85]

good thing i dint get one of them! ill have to research that a lil,thanks for the info.

edit: i see now why thats not such a viable option,even if it did work on the inc2. i found one "one sale" for about $300 with the exchange rate