HTC will unlock the bootloader on its smartphones

TAIWANESE SMARTPHONE MAKER HTC has announced that it won't lock the bootloader on its devices, making it easier to for users to customise their handsets.

Via a post on its Facebook page Peter Chou, CEO of HTC said, "Today, I'm confirming we will no longer be locking the bootloaders on our devices. Thanks for your passion, support and patience."

We have asked HTC when this will go into effect and whether it only applies to future handsets or HTC will release updates to unlock the bootloaders on its existing handsets, as it is not clear from the post from Chou.

A smartphone with an unlocked bootloader can easily be customised to load an alternative operating system. It can be a useful way to free up memory or install specific features but can risk possibly voiding a warranty.

The decision appears to have been spurred by demand from customers, as Chou said in his blog post, "There has been overwhelmingly customer feedback that people want access to open bootloaders on HTC phones. I want you to know that we've listened."

The post has already received over 1,500 comments including, "Great news, well done HTC," and we particularly like, "Win. Customers win. HTC wins. Just win, everywhere."

Rival firms are also making similar moves, such as Motorola with its Xoom tablet, and it is also possible to unlock the bootloader on Sony Ericsson's 2011 handsets. So this is not an initiative that is unique to HTC, but it's an attractive feature for some consumers. µ