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.

The not so good news is that this step undertaken by HTC is followed by a flurry of caveats and disclaimers of any HTC responsibility for the customers unlocking actions. Even if that brave customer uses an official unlocking tool designed by HTC themselves. Then, the unlocker will work first for the HTC Wildfire S, Wildfire, Salsa, Merge, and Desire brands that account for 22 models. Now, by PDADB data base reports, HTC has more than 500 phones, and it remains to be seen how many of them locked and how many will be presented with an unlocker tool in good time.

Then, the FOTA option for deploying unlocker tool is quite dubious at best: if its designed as FOTA with unlocker, it certainly much safer to have a FOTA upgrade option with factory unlocked bootloader.

Even if the HTC unlocker tool is already available as a separate download, there are some problems with deploying it over what hackers did to their HTC devices already, that is, without HTC help.

But don’t get me wrong, the movement to unlock their devices’ bootloaders widens across manufacturers, and it’s a very good thing. We need to shout this news out to Motorola for the RAZR and Barnes & Noble for the NOOK Tablet.

The post HTC Dev Team Unlocks Bootloaders On Their 2011 Phones appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

As before, FastSn0w comes by way of the Fast Unlock iPhone Team and the utility is currently compatible with both Windows and Mac, though a Linux version is also in the works. You can unlock and jailbreak your iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS running on 4.3.3 and iOS5 (but no ipad 2??). And yes, it’s entirely software-based with no extra hardware needed.

That’s the good news. The bad news is, unlike some of the other solutions you might try, this one isn’t free. FastSn0w can be acquired through FastUnlockiPhone.com for $25.99 US. That price includes the software, as well as a guide, bonus pack, and “lifetime member access.”  Whether how well it works is yet to be determined (since most of the links on their site are broken, we caution you). Or, if that’s still too scary for your, call the kid on Craigslist who does it for $20.

Photo: bestiphoneappss.com

The post FastSn0w jailbreak and unlock tool for iPhone released, untethered appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

If you have an iPhone and want to use it with another carrier, you need to unlock it. Now, it seems that there is a new way to unlock the iPhone without having to deal with a jailbreak first.

And better yet, the carrier unlock appears to be permanent, which is in stark contrast to the “software-based” unlocks that have been around for a while. If you update your software you might lose your unlock. Such is not the case here, working in a similar way as the IMEI-based unlocking services for other phones.

That’s the good news for world travelers (or even people who just want to switch from one domestic carrier to another). The bad news is that they’re apparently charging $180 for this unlock and, since Apple hasn’t said anything, it looks quite possible that they could shut this down with a remote switch, locking your iPhone back up the moment you reconnect to iTunes.

[Read via GSM Phone Source]

The post Jailbreak-Free iPhone Carrier Unlock Solution Is Permanent appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Just as you can root your Android device and jailbreak your iPhone, you can also unlock your Windows Phone 7 device. However, every time that you sync it back up with Zune, you might find yourself with a locked device again. How can you get around this?

Thankfully, the Internet community is once again coming to the rescue. The kind hackers at XDA have devised a way to prevent any Windows Phone 7 device from losing its unlocked status after synchronizing with Zune. For now, the fix will only work on HTC handsets, but I imagine they’ll be porting it over to Samsung, Dell, LG, and other manufacturers soon.

In addition to the ChevronWP7 unlock procedure, you’ll then need to download the TouchXplorer ZIP file, extract it, install it on your WP7 device, download HTC Connection Setup for Windows Phone 7, install that, launch TouchXplorer, copy the CustClear.provxml file to the root Windows folder, and launch the HTC Connection Setup app and tap on the check button to let it provision.

Sound complicated? Don’t worry. The XDA community is always there to help. Or, you know, you could just not unlock your WP7 device and use it the way Microsoft intended you to use it. Just don’t complain when your unlocked buddies are enjoying functions, features, and apps that you can’t.

[Aliwaqas via XDA, ChevronWP7]

The post ChevronWP7 prevents Windows Phone 7 from re-locking after Zune sync appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

But doesn’t this just seem too good to be true? The phone companies are finally doing something that will benefit the consumer. That is, because it is a little too good to be totally true. Yes Rogers and Fido will unlock your phone, and yes it will cost you a minimal fee of $50, but there are still a few conditions that current contract holders may not appreciate, a requirement to be able to have your device unlocked is: Your account must be in good standing and you “Have paid the un-subsidized/no term cost for the device at least 30 days prior or have finished their Commitment Period. Which pretty much means they want you to buy the phone out right before they ask you to pay another $50 to unlock it. The small print has managed to spoil the good news for everyone, but we can’t blame them, they’re still taking baby steps. Anyway, you can always just ask the guy down the block who is more than willing to unlock your phone for $20, or check eBay for a $2 unlock code.

“I’m calling on Telus and Bell to catch up with their competition – and the rest of the world.” said New Democrat Consumer Protection Critic Glenn Thibeault. “They need to start unlocking the full range of their customer’s handsets, including iPhones. And they need to do this without barriers. Whereas our legislation mandates carriers unlock their customer’s phones for free outside of contracts, Rogers is only offering to unlock for a $50 fee. That’s a lot to pay for full use of hardware that their customers already own.”

[Net News Ledger]

The post Rogers and Fido will “unlock” your phone for $50 appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

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]

The post Homebrewers rejoice! Windows Phone 7 unlock now available appeared first on Mobile Magazine.