When the PS3 first hit the scene, one of the cooler features was being able to run Linux on it. Sony killed that with the release of the PS3 Slim in 2009, thanks to fears of piracy, but it also killed 13 years of love for homebrew. Yes, Sony once officially supported and endorsed the homebrew community.

Let’s go all the way back to 1997 and the original PlayStation. Sony released something called Net Yaroze. This package contained a matte black PS1, a couple of controllers, software, and professional documentation. In short, it was a “full” homebrew development kit for the avid hobbyist.

There were limitations on the size of the games, but it demonstrated that Sony was interested in allowing regular folks make their own games. This continued with Linux for PlayStation 2 (complete with size restrictions), but again, it demonstrated Sony’s dedication to endorsing homebrew.

And then the hackers kinda ruined the party for everyone, Sony got scared, and here we are today. It’s a shame, really, but I guess they’re trying to push these enthusiasts to develop games for PSN instead… though that’s an entirely different beast altogether.

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This is not in references to SIM locks. This has nothing to do with having a phone “locked” to AT&T or Rogers Wireless. Instead, the Chevron WP7 Windows Phone 7 unlocker is more akin to “rooting” an Android device or “jailbreaking” an iPhone. It allows you to “sideload” experimental applications that are either not available in the official Windows Phone Marketplace or were never approved for whatever reason.

The sideloading of applications was supposed to be restricted to people who have a Marketplace developer account, because they need a way to test their apps. With the unlocker in place, though, you can try your own hand at those unauthorized applications. Windows Phone 7 is still in its relative infancy, but if it is able to pick up some steam, I foresee a Cydia-like utility for “jailkbroken” WP7 devices.

Oh, and if you’re worried about bricking your phone or voiding your warranty, the developer of the unlock assures us that it is “completely safe and reversible for the phone,” and the app will even allow you to “relock” your phone should you need to bring it in for whatever reason. [Chevron WP7]

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