The ongoing issue with HTC’s locked bootloaders looks to finally be coming to an end. The Taiwan based HTC, announced on their Facebook page that starting in August, select HTC smartphones will be receiving updates that will allow the user to unlock the device’s bootloader.
The first device to get the bootloader update will be the HTC Sensation global version, which will come in August. Then it will be followed by T-Mobile’s HTC Sensation 4G and Sprint’s EVO 3D. The update for the two U.S. based phones are not set in stone as of yet. Both T-Mobile and Sprint need to approve the update, and you know how that goes.
The updates will essentially be a two part process. First off, eligible devices will receive an over-the-air (OTA) maintenance update. Then the actual unlocking tool will come shortly after, probably in early September. The combination of the two will allow the user the choice to unlock the bootloader.
Earlier this year HTC quietly decided to start locking the bootloaders on all of the new high-end Android smartphones. HTC was always known as a hacker and developer friendly company, so when it was discovered that phones were being shipped with locked bootloaders, customer outcry was huge. Customers, owners and HTC fans took the fight to Facebook and voiced their dislike for HTC’s new policy. It didnt take long for HTC to change their mind. In late May, the popular smatphone maker announced that they were going to reverse their decision and start to once again ship phones with unlocked bootloaders.
We’re thrilled to announce today that software updates to support bootloader unlocking will begin rolling out in August for the global HTC Sensation, followed by the HTC Sensation 4G on T-Mobile USA and the HTC EVO 3D on Sprint. We’re in the testing phase for the unlocking capability now, and we expect it to be fully operational by early September for devices that have received the software updates. We’ll continue rolling out the unlocking capability over time to other devices as part of maintenance releases and new shipments.
HTC continues its commitment to unlocking bootloaders and supporting the developer community. Because of the importance of this community to us, please expect an update on this about every few weeks as we make progress toward launch. Thank you for your patience and continued support!
HTC plans to add more devices to the list and will also start to ship new and current models with the unlocked bootloader. There is no precise timetable on which devices will be next in line or when they will receive the update, but I would assume HTC will work pretty fast to make all customers happy again.
via Facebook
