HTC Begrudgingly Allows Bootloader Unlocking

From DailyTech: If you own an a phone with Google Inc.'s (GOOG) Android operating system, beware there are likely two significant locks on it.

The first is the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) (or Universal Integrated Circuit Card) lock. This lock prevents the user from swapping in a different SIM (or UICC) card to jump ship to another carrier. UICC locks are sometimes somewhat misleadingly referred to as "SIM locks", though the most appropriate title for locks on the UICC/SIM are "carrier locks".

A second level of digital-rights management (DRM)/locking is the bootloader lock, which prevents users from loading custom ROMs. Taiwan HTC Corp. (TPE:2498) -- a giant of the Android world who is currently perched atop U.S. smartphone sales charts -- has taken a big step forward in begrudgingly opening up an easy bootloader unlock.

It writes: "HTC is committed to listening to users and delivering customer satisfaction. We have heard your voice and starting now, we will allow our bootloader to be unlocked for 2011 models going forward. We plan on releasing the updates that will allow you to unlock your bootloader in the coming months, please keep an eye on this website for more details on which devices will be adding this feature. We are extremely pleased to see the energy and enthusiasm from our fans and loyal customers, and we are excited to see what you are capable of. HTC eagerly anticipates your innovations."

Again the key phrase here is "for 2011 models", meaning older HTC best-sellers like the EVO 4G likely do not apply. HTC's unlocking tool reportedly works on the HTC Amaze, EVO View 4G, Design, Flyer, myTouch 4G Slide, and the Sensation (officially), plus the Rezound, Vivid, Rhyme, and Thunderbolt (unofficially).

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