The Galaxy Note 2 bootloader has been unlocked. Thanks to Adam Outler and the folks at XDA, Verizon’s version of this oversized phone has “gone from the most secure device on the market, to the least secure device publically available.” 

After Verizon and HTC decided that they weren’t fans of you unlocking the bootloader on your brand new DROID DNA through HTCDev, something we first reported as being possible, owners of the device waited impatiently for a work-around or fix to the problem to appear. After all, how much fun could a shiny, freshly opened smartphone be without the ability to unlock, root, and get to tinkering? Well, my friends, a method to trick HTCDev’s unlock tool has been worked out and is available for download. 

To no one’s surprise, the HTCDev bootloader tool apparently no longer works on the HTC DROID DNA. The timing couldn’t be worse, of course, as the device launches on Verizon in the morning. We first reported that the tool was working, but feared that a last minute change would ruin our fun. That change has happened according to members at XDA.

In related and more positive news, developers do not appear to be worried about this change affecting their progress on fully unlocking to S-OFF. In the mean time, though, this will likely stunt immediate ROM development.

And do I even need to mention the responsible party for this move? Probably not.

Via:  XDA

Well, that’s good news, right? The HTC DROID DNA bootloader can be unlocked through HTCDev, opening it up (for the most part) to a world that many of Verizon’s phones cannot enter. The phone is left with S-ON afterwards, but to my knowledge most HTC phones are after using this tool. The device pictured is more than likely a retail unit. Unless something changes or a software update blocks HTCDev from working, I’d say we are in luck. 

Motorola extended its bootloader unlock program to the global RAZR HD and RAZR i, this afternoon. When I say “global” I mean the RAZR HD in Europe, Australia, South America and on Rogers in Canada. The RAZR i, and its Intel processor, will be unlockable “worldwide.”

Props to Moto for finally creating a bootloader program, it’s just too bad that most in the U.S. won’t be able to take advantage of it unless they can save up $550 to $650, the full retail price of these phones. We aren’t sure if these other global phones are unlockable even when subsidized by carriers or not, but wouldn’t be surprised. If you glance at their specific product pages, there is no mention of them being separate “developer editions.”

And this is where you flip the bird to U.S. carriers.

Via:  Motorola

Surprised that the Verizon version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will reportedly have a locked bootloader? You shouldn’t be. In fact, going forward, you should assume that every Verizon smartphone will have a locked bootloader. That’s who they are and they aren’t about to change it. 

Fortunately for all of us here, ASUS not only makes awesome hardware in their tablets, but they were also one of the first manufacturers to start voluntarily unlocking their bootloaders. Unfortunately, the tool has not been working for a while now, users who try and unlock are met with this message:

An unknown error occurs, which may be a network connection issue.
Please wait and try again later

It has been going on long enough for Transformer Prime owners to make their voices heard to ASUS. However, ASUS says the only way to fix this problem is to send it into the company and let them take care of the whole thing. There has been a “special repair process set up for the affected tablets” but who knows how long it will take ASUS to work through all these.

Have you run into this problem with your Prime?

Via: XDA

On Wednesday, Motorola announced developer editions for the RAZR M and RAZR HD on Verizon. Those devices, are now officially a part of Moto’s Bootloader Unlock program. Previously, only the Photon Q on Sprint was listed as a “supported device,” but moments ago, these two RAZRs joined the party.

If you plan on picking up a developer edition of either of these devices, be sure to check out our guide on how to use the Bootloader Unlock to unlock your phone. We walked through the entire process with a Photon Q a few weeks ago. It’s simple, but there are some quirks that you may run into which we address.

The RAZR M Developer Edition is available for pre-order today at $549 – the RAZR HD will be a month or so.

Via:  Motorola