Earlier this month HTC released details about their roll-out plans for its bootloader unlock process and the devices that would be supported. Today, in answer to some of the questions posed by HTC’s Facebook fans, HTC released an update on how the bootloader unlocking process will actually work and why HTC’s newest phones are still shipping with a locked bootloader.

As mentioned in their earlier post, HTC is continuing to make every effort to release OTA software updates within the month to enable unlocking of the HTC Sensation followed soon by the HTC Sensation 4G and the HTC EVO 3D. However, HTC has clarified that because an unlocked bootloader provides "extensive control over the device and modifications may cause operation, security and experience issues," new phones released by HTC will have their bootloader locked (this is actually a good thing, so long as a method for unlocking it is provided, but keep reading).

If a competent user wishes to take the drastic step and unlock the bootloader, HTC will support this by way of a "web-based tool," launching later this month:

The Web tool … requires that you register an account with a valid e-mail address and accept legal disclaimers that unlocking may void all or parts of your warranty. Then plug in your phone to a computer with the Android SDK loaded to retrieve a device identifier token, which you can then enter into the Web tool to receive a unique unlock key via e-mail. Finally, apply the key to your device and unlocking will be initiated on your phone.

In essence, all HTC devices will ship with locked bootloaders which will be unlockable (fully supported by HTC) using the web-based tool. Existing phones will need an OTA update in order to gain this "unlockability" - as expected, they won't just suddenly all get unlocked automatically.

Since we are already in August, it is anyone’s guess as to precisely when HTC will roll-out the OTA update unlocking the bootloader and the web-based tool to complete the process.

Here is the updated statement from HTC on Facebook:

**UPDATE 8/3/2011**

Since our last update, many of you have asked how the bootloader unlocking process will actually work, and in particular why HTC's most recently released devices still have a locked bootloader. Rest assured we're making progress toward our goal to roll out the first software updates in August to support unlocking for the global HTC Sensation, followed soon by the HTC Sensation 4G on T-Mobile and the HTC EVO 3D on Sprint. Because unlocking the bootloader provides extensive control over the device and modifications may cause operation, security and experience issues, new devices will continue to ship locked but will support user-initiated unlocking using a new Web-based tool.

So how will this work? The Web tool, which will launch this month, requires that you register an account with a valid e-mail address and accept legal disclaimers that unlocking may void all or parts of your warranty. Then plug in your phone to a computer with the Android SDK loaded to retrieve a device identifier token, which you can then enter into the Web tool to receive a unique unlock key via e-mail. Finally, apply the key to your device and unlocking will be initiated on your phone.

We're excited to bring bootloader unlocking to developers and enthusiasts, and we feel this new Web tool will meet your needs and continue to provide customers with the best experience. Thanks to the community for supporting these efforts!

Source: Facebook