Microsoft To Disable Windows Phone 7 Unlocking 237
Alex writes "In the first update to Windows Phone 7, Microsoft is planning to block ChevronWP7, which allowed users to unlock any retail Windows Phone 7 device for application side-loading without having to pay $99 per year for a WP7 marketplace account. The update, which is slated for release this month, will also introduce copy and paste functionality, among other improvements. ChevronWP7 was discontinued less than a week after its release about two months ago. ChevronWP7's three developers, Long Zheng, Rafael Rivera, and Chris Walsh were approached by Brandon Watson, Director of Developer Experience for Windows Phone 7, and decided to kill their app."
Re:haha, what? (Score:5, Informative)
But don't let me get in the way of your anti-Microsoft ranting, informed or not.
Re:What about the law that says you have the right (Score:4, Informative)
What about the law that says you have the right to unlock your own phone?
You still have that right. But there's no law that says the manufacturer has to make it easy for you.
RTA (Score:3, Informative)
"Zheng, Rivera, and Walsh have said Microsoft wants them to become more involved with the shaping of the homebrew scene on the Windows Phone platform, but ChevronWP7 will not be the way to do so. In fact, the trio has a meeting with Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 team next week in Redmond, and they will be focusing on homebrew as well as stronger protection of WP7 developer intellectual property."
Re:99 a year to access the market? (Score:2, Informative)
It's $99 to publish apps (which also allows you to side-load apps without going through the marketplace). Same as iPhone.
Re:haha, what? (Score:5, Informative)
That is patently false. All you have to do is check the box labeled allow unsigned software.
Rooting software? I flashed a new image right on my phone. Your spewing FUD.