Locked bootloader on HTC phones: No More!

[diogen]

This is really good news!
HTC officially dissolves locked bootloader policy -- Engadget

If Samsung and/or LG follow, promise not to lock it, the rest would have no other options...

The biggest differentiator between Android and iOS devices!

Diogen.

 

[Ramy]

YAY!!!!

 

[stogie5150]

Motorola needs to be next. Good on HTC.

 

[Hall]

Can the carriers "re-lock" them though ? I suspect they can...

 

[diogen]

I don't think there is a simple answer to that...

First, there is signing and locking.
Second, there is encryption: of the image, of the HBOOT, of the recovery, etc.

Every phone's ROM is signed. Even NexusOne.
You can't flash any ROM onto it, just the one signed by Google. Unless you root it. Then sky is the limit...

I think carriers can lock it to themselves but they cannot sign the ROM and/or HBOOT.

Encryption is a whole different layer that leaves phone hackers at the mercy of a leak most of the time...

HTC announcement means the main obstacle in "freeing" a phone will be gone.
Carriers can lock it, but for $50 (at least in Canada) you can unlock it...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

A good write-up...
HTC’s bootloader decision: what does it mean? | This is my next...

Diogen.

 

[John Kotches]

Diogen,

Your post doesn't indicate the differences between rooting the phone and unlocking the phone. They are discrete entities.

As an fyi, every "google experience" phone has been a one line command to unlock the bootloader:
fastboot oem unlock

Hopefully when htc unlocks the boot loader it will be similarly easy.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[diogen]

More details on HTC unlocked bootloader strategy and timeline...
HTC lays out timeline for unlocked bootloaders on Sensation, Sensation 4G, and EVO 3D | This is my next...

Diogen.

 

[Rey]

sweet!

 

[LER]

I just wish all the "developers" and "Advocates" over on XDA would just shut up and let HTC do what it SAYS they are gonna do. I'm tired of EVERY OTHER thread being about this.

This phone (Evo 3D) ROCKS! Rooted or not.

 

[Hall]

Huh ?