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All posts tagged "unlocking"


Tuesday, January 25, 2011

What's Coming In The First WP7 Update

Posted by Nurhisham Hussein in "Windows Phone Developer" @ 09:00 PM

http://blog.walshie.me/2011/01/25/f...-that-are-real/

"It's hard to believe something like this was missing, but even more so people actually missed using it (the generic excuse from fruit phone owners when bagging the platform). Sure there are certain scenarios where it's required, but only a few...Having said that, in the first update you're getting copy and paste. For reals!"

This cat's been out of the bag so long, it's begotten a litter. But the details count - copy and paste will only be available in a text control box, which somewhat limits its usefulness. I'd be interested if it works on web pages with IE, for example. The other two big items - WP7 will work much faster than ever, and the sideloading security hole exposed by the Chevron WP7 tool will be closed. Not exactly an overhaul update, but there's meat on them thar bones.


Sunday, January 23, 2011

Microsoft To Hacker: Have A Go

Posted by Nurhisham Hussein in "Windows Phone Developer" @ 08:30 PM

http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2...indows-phone-7/

"20-something firmware magician GeoHot (George Hotz) has already been sued by Sony for jailbreaking the PlayStation 3, and caused a major stir in the iPhone dev community when he released limera1n. So what next for the ambitious young hacker? How about taking a stab at Windows Phone 7?"

Despite temporarily taking down the Chevron WP7 tool that allowed sideloading of apps, Microsoft continues to be less than draconian about shutting out would-be hackers. In this instance, it's almost a dare to hacker GeoHot (mugshot above), with an offer of a free development device thrown in for good measure. I hope MS stays the course on this - I for one ain't that keen on the gated marketplace concept, especially since half the countries WP7 has been introduced in still have no official access to Windows Marketplace.


Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Chevron WP7 Unlocker Pulled

Posted by Nurhisham Hussein in "Windows Phone Software" @ 05:30 PM

http://www.chevronwp7.com/post/2057...windows-phone-7

"Earlier today, we were contacted by Brandon Watson, Director of Developer Experience for Windows Phone 7, to discuss the ChevronWP7 unlocking tool...we established a mutual understanding of our intent to enable homebrew opportunities and to open the Windows Phone 7 platform for broader access to developers and users...To pursue these goals with Microsoft's support, [he] has agreed to engage in futher discussions with us about officially facilitating homebrew development on WP7. To fast-track discussions, we are discontinuing the unlocking tool effective immediately."

Just days after being posted, the ChevronWP7 tool that allows sideloading of apps onto WP7 devices has been pulled - that's the bad news. The good news is that Microsoft, notwithstanding yesterday's statement, is willing to support homebrew efforts. Now the situation looks like the best of both worlds - the open free-for-all that characterised Windows Mobile development, and the locked down, officially supported marketplace approach of Apple. This is closer to what Google is doing with Android, with the crucial difference of having some official sanction; of course with the understanding that if you want to hack your device, anything bad that happens is on your head. I'm happy with this, especially since as of this moment there's no official marketplace access available in Malaysia, and sideloading is the only way to get anything on board.


Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Microsoft On Hacking WP7

Posted by Nurhisham Hussein in "Windows Phone Software" @ 07:30 PM

http://www.winrumors.com/microsoft-...ently-unusable/

"We anticipated that people would attempt to unlock the phones and explore the underlying operating system. We encourage people to use their Windows Phone as supplied by the manufacturer to ensure the best possible user experience. Attempting to unlock a device could void the warranty, disable phone functionality, interrupt access to Windows Phone 7 services or render the phone permanently unusable."

Well, I thought that MS shouldn't do anything too drastic about people rooting their WP7 devices, and it appears that they won't. The statement above, in response to the ChevronWP7 app that came out a few days ago (pictured), is the equivalent of "Do what you want, but it's on your head". But I think that's the best case scenario for everybody - MS can concentrate on the vast majority who aren't power users, and disclaim any legal liability from those who want to push the boundaries a little bit.


Friday, November 26, 2010

ChevronWP7 Allows Sideloading On WP7

Posted by Nurhisham Hussein in "Windows Phone Software" @ 08:00 AM

http://www.istartedsomething.com/20...ocker-released/

Well, it had to happen. Now the real question is to see what Microsoft does about it. I don't think the full lock down treatment a'la Apple was ever really intended, but neither is the free-for-all that is Android. Some happy third way? I don't know about you, but I'd veer toward allowing a modicum of freedom - if you're going to go out of your way to root your device, then you'll know (and should be willing to bear) the consequences.


Friday, June 11, 2010

How You'll Unlock A Windows Phone Device (As A Developer!)

Posted by Jon Westfall in "Windows Phone Developer" @ 08:00 PM

http://www.istartedsomething.com/20...artedsomething)

"Today at the TechEd North America 2010 event Microsoft has confirmed Windows Phone 7 developers will be able to register a number of devices which unlocks the capability to side-load applications on to devices directly from development tools such Visual Studio or Expression Blend. Initially, Microsoft will offer three device registrations per Marketplace account ($99 per year) tied a Windows Live ID. Developers who legitimately require more will be considered by Microsoft on a case-by-case basis."

The rumors we were hearing last week are true - Developers will be able to unlock devices without having to buy special "unlockable" devices. Pretty cool - All you need is a phone, a $99 per year developer account, a mess of free tools, and a dream to start building!


Thursday, June 3, 2010

All Windows 7 Phones Can Be Unlocked and Used By Developers

Posted by Jon Westfall in "Windows Phone Developer" @ 08:00 AM

http://tweakers.mobi/nieuws/67703

Here's an interesting story from Dutch website Tweakers.mobi reporting that, according to a Microsoft spokesperson (apparently on a developer conference call). You can check out the story for yourself, translating from Dutch if you don't speak it, but the gist is this: All Windows Phone 7 devices will be able to be unlocked and used by developers. This is pretty huge as both Android and Apple developers need to either purchase dedicated devices for development, or pay quite a bit of money to be allowed to develop on device. Let's hope this is "for real", the price is the same as all other development tools for 7 to date (free) and we get more details soon!


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