Asus recently confirmed on Twitter that an official tool for unlocking the bootloader on the Transformer Prime will be made available in February. The company didn’t give an exact date for when the tool would be released, but the good news is Transformer Prime owners have just a few weeks to wait until they can unlock the bootloader on the quad-core tablet. Asus originally promised that the tool would be made available after upset customers lashed out in January. An unlocked bootloader allows Android users to install custom ROMs and kernels, but it does come with several consequences. As we noted earlier this year, unlocking the bootloader will void Asus’s warranty and some services, such as Google’s video rental application, will not work properly. 

[Via Pocketnow]

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HTC has issued a statement naming the first phones that will receive unlocked bootloader updates this coming September. In a statement to BGR via email, the company said that the international version of its Sensation smartphone, T-Mobile’s Sensation 4G, and Sprint’s EVO 3D will be among the first phones to receive a patch that enables bootloader unlocking.”While we wish we could flip a simple switch and unlock all bootloaders across our device portfolio, this is actually a complex challenge that requires a new software build and extensive testing to deliver the best possible customer experience,” HTC said in a statement. “We’re in the testing phase for the unlocking capability now, and we expect it to be fully operational by early September for devices that have received the software updates. We’ll continue rolling out the unlocking capability over time to other devices as part of maintenance releases and new shipments.” HTC noted that it is continuing its commitment to unlocked bootloaders in an effort to support the developer community, and said that it will issue updates on its progress every few weeks. An unlocked bootloader will allow users to customize their devices more easily. Read on for the full statement from HTC.

We wanted to provide an update on HTC’s progress with bringing bootloader unlocking to our newest phones. We know how excited some of you are for this capability, and we’ve put significant resources behind making this change as soon as possible. While we wish we could flip a simple switch and unlock all bootloaders across our device portfolio, this is actually a complex challenge that requires a new software build and extensive testing to deliver the best possible customer experience.

We’re thrilled to announce today that software updates to support bootloader unlocking will begin rolling out in August for the global HTC Sensation, followed by the HTC Sensation 4G on T-Mobile USA and the HTC EVO 3D on Sprint. We’re in the testing phase for the unlocking capability now, and we expect it to be fully operational by early September for devices that have received the software updates. We’ll continue rolling out the unlocking capability over time to other devices as part of maintenance releases and new shipments.

HTC continues its commitment to unlocking bootloaders and supporting the developer community. Because of the importance of this community to us, please expect an update on this about every few weeks as we make progress toward launch. Thank you for your patience and continued support!

Chinese blog 911Sniper has uncovered evidence of a new, HTC tablet with a 10-inch form factor. Being called the HTC Puccini, the Android 3.0.1 slate boasts a 1.5GHz Qualcomm MSM8660 processor, 1280 x 800 pixel WXGA resolution, HTC’s Sense experience, and an AT&T compatible LTE radio. The Puccini, should it come to market, would be a larger version of the company’s Flyer offering — complete with Scribe pen support. HTCSniper has a good track record when it comes to unearthing HTC hardware through ROM leaks, so we wouldn’t be too surprised to see this one get official in the near future. 

[Via Engadget]

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CyanogenMod is one of the most popular custom Android ROMs currently available. With a wide rang of supported devices, and active developer community, the Android enhancement gets a fair number of installs. Just how many installs, you ask? CyanogenMod has published statistics for its most recent build — CyanogenMod 7 — and the numbers are quite impressive. Version 7 has been installed 217,894 times at time of article writing. Nearly 45% of those installs occurred in the U.S. and Sweden, with Norway, Finland, and the U.K. rounding out the top five installers. A pretty impressive feat. Congrats to the CyanogenMod development community!

Thanks, EZ!

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Our friendly FedEx man was kind enough to deliver us the soon-to-be-released Casio G’zOne Commando from Verizon Wireless. Unlike most full-touchscreen smartphones, this Android 2.2.1 device is designed to be abused. The Commando meets military standards 810G for immersion, rain, and shock, dust resistance, vibration, salt fog, humidity, solar radiation, altitude, along with low and high temperature storage.  The handset, which is not the lightest full-touchscreen we’ve handled — but certainly not the heaviest at 5.4-ounces— sports a ruggedized composite case which protects a 5 megapixel auto-focus camera with flash, 1460mAh battery, 512MB RAM, 3.6-inch WVGA touchscreen display, and a host of other assets. Want to know what our first impressions are? Good. Have a look at the gallery below and hit the jump to read on.

The first thing we noticed about the device is how crisp the screen is. With ruggedized anythings, function is oft sacrificed for the sake of form. But with the Commando’s screen this does not appear to be the case. The 3.6-inch window has a 480 x 800 pixel resolution and, from what we can tell so far, doesn’t disappoint. Blacks are very black and the touch sensitivity seems to be on-par with most other Android devices — we fired off several emails and text messages without issue.

The exterior of the Commando is well accented with red composite inlays that compliment the phone’s drop-me-I-dare-you physique quite nicely. The phone has no fewer than five physical buttons on its left and right sides and we’re not sure how we feel about that — we seem to always hit a button when picking up the phone. We’ll wait to levy judgement on this design choice in our full review.

The Commando is running a slightly modded version of Android 2.2.1, but we don’t think even the most devout Android purists will mind. The modifications, for the most part, add a more ruggedized look to things — like the dialer and homescreen — and, thus far, have stayed out of the way.

We’ve ripped off a few test pictures with the device’s 5 megapixel shooter and so far the results have been favorable. The handful of close range and landscape shots we’ve taken appear to be very clean and there doesn’t seem to be anything glaringly wrong with the Commando’s camera.

The handset also support Wi-Fi hotspot creation, which, again, provides those needing a phone that can survive the elements with a nice blend or form and function.

Those are most of our initial musings.  We plan to take this handset out on the mean streets of Boston and drive it like it’s stolen — it is a rental after all — and we’ll be sure to bring you are full writeup ASAP.

Maybe your Android handset hasn’t been bless with an official build of Gingerbread just yet, or maybe your device’s iteration of Google’s latest mobile operating system isn’t performing up to snuff. Either way, you now have unofficial official options, as Cyanogen has announced the release of CyanogenMod 7.0 for a host of Android handsets. Based on Android 2.3.3, the code brings dozens of extra check-boxes and features to your device — allowing you to inflict more of your personal steez on to your phone. If you’re interested in further customizing your set, hit the read link, have yourself a download, and enjoy the mack-daddy of custom Android ROMs.

[Via Android Central]

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It looks like the gang over at xda-developers have leaked a build of Microsoft’s Windows Phone NoDo update — better known as the copy and paste update — for the HTC HD7. Forum member football has posted the build, which is in RUU format, for European HD7s only. If you want to try to shoehorn this update onto your T-Mobile HD7, you had better be prepared to roll up those sleeves. Using the GoldCard method, it is possible to load this ROM onto unsupported hardware, what it is not, however, is easy. Regardless, if you’re the adventurous type, and want copy and paste functionality so bad you can taste it, hit up the read link and have a look for yourself… and do be careful!

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Famed iOS hacker geohot is utilizing his talents to aid the tinkering community of another platform, the PlayStation 3. Mr. Hotz has successfully acquired and published the root keys used by Sony’s popular gaming console, opening the door to custom software and ROMs. On his site, geohot has noted that he does not condone piracy in anyway and wouldn’t mind being “on the other side” — perhaps an offer to work for/with Sony? Hit the read link to check out geohot’s handy work.

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Dear hardware OEMs: Resistance. Is. Futile. It seems as though the gang over in the IRC channel #G2Root xda-developers have found a permanent rooting solution for T-Mobile’s HTC G2 handset. As you may recall, the rooting community ran into a little hiccup with the Android 2.2 device due to an auto-restore feature aimed at helping the average consumer un-brick their handset. The new solution comes just days after HTC released the source code for the G2 on their website. The root exploit for the G2 is far from production-ready, but it does look like the software is well on its way to getting the one-click treatment.

UPDATE: Quick correction — As Aaron pointed out in the comments, the G2 root was originally discovered by members of the #G2root IRC channel; an XDA forum member announced it. Thanks, Aaron!

[Via Android Spin]

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When a ROM for an unreleased handset leaks, sometimes the most valuable thing they contain are images and videos of the device, and the ROM for the myTouch 4G — coming to T-Mobile — is no different. The mT4G will be an HSPA+ handset that packs a 3.8-inch WVGA display, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth, GPS, rear-facing 5 megapixel camera with LED flash and 720p video recording, front-facing camera, DLNA support, micro-SD card (support for 32GB card), and Android 2.2. The device will be preloaded with software titles Rock Band, Asphalt 5, and Monopoly and support: Wi-Fi calling, video calling, and T-Mobile TV. T-Mobile’s specification sheet says the device should be available in time for the holidays.Sounds like a pretty solid set. Hit the jump to check out a video that was included in the ROM and the full myTouch 4G spec sheet. Enjoy!

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Happy Monday to all those DROID X owners anxious to shoehorn a custom ROM onto their handsets. A Twitter user has posted of video of the DROID X running the Android 2.2, Sapphire AOSP 2.2 ROM. While the DROID X had been rooted, it had not yet been loaded with a custom ROM due to several extra security measures put in place by Motorola. We’ve got the 59-second video — complete with questionable background music — after the break. Hopefully an instruction set and stable build will surface next.

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If you’re a Google Voice lover, there is a pretty good chance you’ll jump at the opportunity to install the latest leaked version. Not only does it contain ever-exciting unspecified changes since it’s a new version, it also brings homescreen widgets. Something most people have been waiting for, the widgets allow shortcuts for composing a text message, seeing your Google Voice calling balance, settings access, and the ability to toggle Google Voice. It all comes from the leaked ROM for the T-Mobile G2, made by HTC, that’s been making the rounds lately. Going to give a go? We’re loading up the .apk now!

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If you were just about to rock and roll with some leaked FroYo on your Motorola DROID X, you’re going to have to search a little harder. We’ve updated our units, but Motorola just shut down the fun by sending MyDroidWorld, the site that leaked and hosted the update, a nice warm cease and desist email. No reasoning behind the move — whether our phones are going to instantly crumble into pieces or just because there are unfinished components in the leaked ROM — but we’re not too far away from a official release at this point anyway. Did you guys get your update on before the takedown?

[Via Engadget]

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For those Samsung Galaxy S-loving purists out there, you’ll be pleased to know that there is an option around the corner. Stock Android 2.1 has been running just fine on the Galaxy S, though there are some issues at this early stage in the game, namely the camera application not functioning. Once all the bugs are worked out, how many of you would rather run stock Android than Samsung’s TouchWiz interface? Video after the jump.

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The folks over at alldroid.org have posted a note in their forums claiming that Android tweaker extraordinaire ”Birdman” has successfully booted a stock DROID X into a custom recovery state. The post reads:

Using a hack discovered by the folks who’ve done all the work on the Milestone, birdman has booted a custom recovery on his handset. The process is labor-intensive and dangerous if you’re not prepared to recover from a bricked device (and technically this bricks the device since you can’t reboot into Android at this moment), but it’s a sucessful proof of concept.

Right now he’s working on getting ADB up so we can further investigate what it will take to get a fully functional recovery working (that will also allow reboot back into Android).

From there the focus will move to a more robust recovery and discovery if/how we can do Nandroids and/or write a new /System image (like Froyo).

You may recognize Birdman’s name, as his handy work helped pioneer the original DROID X root. We’ll keep our eyes glued to this one and report back when more progress is made. Godspeed Birdman.

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