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Dec

[Update: Incredible S Added] HTC Expands Bootloader Unlock Compatibility – Incredible 2, Thunderbolt Make The Cut

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Development, HTC, Incredible 2 (Vivow), News, Thunderbolt (Mecha)

In a continued effort to unlock bootloaders everywhere using their online tool, HTC has added several exciting entries to the "supported devices" list. Perhaps the most notable of the new entries are the Droid Incredible 2 and HTC Thunderbolt. Officially, HTC's online unlock tool is compatible with all devices launched after September 2011, but the new additions reflect an effort to add compatibility for older devices.

Update: HTC just added the Incredible S to the mix. Go get unlocked!

"What does this mean for users of the Incredible 2 or Thunderbolt," you may ask. An unlocked bootloader basically allows users not only to root their device with (relative) ease, but also to write to partitions that may otherwise be protected (namely the recovery partition), opening up even more possibilities for those interested in tweaking their phone to perfection.

Dec

[Updated x3] HTCDev.com Now Unlocking HTC Rezound, Vivid, Jetstream, Rhyme, And All HTC Devices Released After Sept 2011

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in Development, HTC, Jetstream, News, Rezound, Rhyme, Vivid

Last Updated: December 29th, 2011

HTCDev.com has been unlocking the bootloaders of select HTC smartphones for some time now, but up until today, the Rezound was not among their ranks.

Update #1: HTC Vivid is unlockable as well - thanks again for the tip, jcase.

Update #2: HTC just updated the bootloader unlock site and announced that "All HTC Android devices launched after September 2011 are unlockable. The website will be updated accordingly to reflect this in the coming weeks. We continue to work on models launched prior to September 2011, please check back often for the status of older devices."

Here's the changelog if you will:

We've confirmed the Jetstream is also unlockable.

Dec

HTC EVO View 4G And MyTouch 4G Slide Now Officially Unlockable At HTCDev.com

Posted by Cameron Summerson in EVO View 4G, myTouch 4G Slide (Doubleshot), News

HTC is continuously adding phones and tablets to its official bootloader unlock page, and a couple of new devices have made their way into the now-unlockable arena. The EVO View 4G is one such device, as it now joins its Wi-Fi only brother, the Flyer, in the world of open bootloaders. Also joining the mix is the T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide, the first device from the myTouch family to make its way onto the portal.

As always, the unlock process is a simple one, but keep in mind that, while it is an official method, it will still void your warranty.

Dec

Easy Bootloader Unlock Now Available For The LG G-Slate, Custom ROMs Incoming

Posted by Cameron Summerson in G-Slate, News

Owners of the LG G-Slate have been waiting a long time to get some custom ROM action on the 8.9-inch device, and now that dream may finally become a reality thanks to a quick hack that unlocks the bootloader. The process is stupid-easy - it's basically as simple as flashing a .zip file in ClockworkMod.

While there aren't any custom ROMs available for the device just yet, the first custom kernels are starting to show up on RootzWiki - a good sign indeed.

For full instructions, including all required downloads, head over to this Google Code page.

Good luck!

Thanks, Aaron!

Nov

HTC EVO Design 4G's Bootloader Now Unlockable At HTCDev.com

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Amaze 4G (Ruby), EVO Design 4G, News

Looks like HTC jumped a new member into the unlockable bootloader gang this morning: the EVO Design 4G. The Design now joins the ranks of the Sensation, EVO 3D, and Flyer in the realm of unlocked bootloader-dom, along with another recent newcomer to the scene, the Amaze 4G on T-Mobile.

As always, the process will void your warranty, but if an unlocked bootloader is what you're after, then this is the place to get it done. The process is pretty simple and easy to follow, so, if you're feeling froggy, head over to HTCDev to get started. Good luck!

Nov

Editorial: Android Custom ROM Developers, I Think We Need To Have A Talk

Posted by David Ruddock in Android OS, Development, Editorials

Dear Android Custom ROM developers: I love most of you. Really. You're part of what makes Android so awesome, because you're so enthusiastic about it, and about making it better. Because of you, we have awesome things like CyanogenMod.

I want to give you some numbers. Let's just look at some popular Android devices:

T-Mobile Galaxy S II: 9
AT&T Galaxy S II: 8
HTC ThunderBolt: 23
DROID BIONIC: 7
Epic 4G Touch: 10

What do these figures represent? The number of different custom ROMs found on the first page of the XDA forums for the above devices. The ThunderBolt's count comes from the pinned post on the ThunderBolt's forum with a listing of ROMs - and those are only the Gingerbread ones.

Oct

Motorola Droid RAZR Bootloader Locked, But Are You Really Surprised?

Posted by Cameron Summerson in News, RAZR / RAZR MAXX

It was inevitable that the question is the bootloader locked? would pop up within minutes of Moto's RAZR announcement. The answer should come as a shocker to no one: Yes. According to Moto's Twitter, the bootloader will indeed be locked. It's not necessarily Motorola's choice, though, as the tweet specifically states that "the bootloader was locked per the carrier" Oh snap -- it was all Verizon's fault.

What does this mean for future Big Red devices? Who knows -- perhaps they'll be putting the smack down on manufactures moving forward. Then again, that statement may be Moto trying to dodge a few bullets.

Sep

Thinking About Rooting The Kindle Fire? Amazon Won't Put Up A Fight To Stop You!

Posted by John Thompson in Amazon, News

Amazon's new tablet, the Kindle Fire, has been grabbing all of the headlines following Amazon's press event yesterday, and rightfully so. Priced at an aggressive $199, it has virtually alienated all other Android tablet manufacturers in one fell swoop, offering potential buyers a great piece of hardware and all of the content Amazon has to offer to back it up.

Despite this, there are still a few things that the Fire won't offer. It's running a heavily skinned version of Android 2.3, so the experience will be completely different to other Android tablets currently available. Also, it doesn't ship with the Android Market, instead offering Amazon's App Store (although it will support sideloading of applications).

Sep

[Complete Guide] Root, Custom Recovery, Backup, And De-Bloat Your DROID BIONIC

Posted by David Ruddock in Bionic, Tips & Tutorials

WARNING: We are not responsible for any destruction of data, phones, or small animals resulting from your use of these instructions. Utilize them at your own risk. If you brick your BIONIC, head to this link.

OK, DROID BIONIC owners - I think it's finally safe-ish (well, as safe as it can be for the moment) to start tinkering with your phone a little. There's enough information out there now to reliably root, backup, and de-bloat your phone - with the ability to unbrick if you screw something up. So, let's get this party started. Also, these instructions are for Windows only.

Sep

HTC Flyer Now Unlockable Via HTC's Bootloader Unlock Portal

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Flyer, News

The HTC bootloader unlock portal has been updated yet again, this time bringing the company's first tablet, the Flyer, to the mix. It appears that basically all versions that carry the Flyer name are supported, so if an unlock for the View 4G is what you're after, you'll have to keep playing the waiting game for a while longer.

Like with previous devices that made their way to the portal, the process seems simple and intuitive -- but keep in mind that it effectively voids your warranty if you choose to use this "legit" method.

So, if you're ready to see what all the fuss is about, head over to HTCdev to get started.