Asus promises to open Prime bootloader
Blames current encryption on Google and DRM
Asus has pledged to release a tool that will unlock the bootloader built into its Eee Pad Transformer Prime tablet, possibly from 12 January, the date on which it will be pushing out the gadget's Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update.
The Taiwanese firm blamed its decision to encrypt the Prime's bootloader in the first place on Google: the advertising giant's DRM tech demands it.
As a result, the video rental service app bundled with the Prime will break when the promised bootloader unlock utility is applied, Asus said, as will any other service that relies upon Google DRM.
Before the ICS update, Asus pull push out a patch for the current version of the OS, it said, which will "improve the focus of the camera, the fluidity of the touch experience, and the APK capabilities in Android Market".
Alas, Asus wasn't able to provide any aid for folk struggling with the Prime's weak GPS detection. It re-iterated past comments that the tablet's metal body is hindering satellite locking. And that's the way it is. ®
COMMENTS
Such a huge loss...
of functionality.
"As a result, the video rental service app bundled with the Prime will break when the promised bootloader unlock utility is applied, Asus said, as will any other service that relies upon Google DRM."
How will we ever cope without DRM.
I smell blame passing
Since the galaxy nexus works fine for video rental when unlocked (not that I've tried.. paying more than blockbuster prices for a video on a 4 inch screen doesn't appeal). If google were that bothered you'd think they'd have done it first on their own device.
Also, you can't simply void the *entire* warranty because someone installed new software. Of course it's entirely reasonable to say if you install a 3rd party ROM and a software fault develops, tough. If the volume button falls off, then they'd have a tough time saying you caused it.
First against the wall
Heck, that bloatware will probably be one of the first apps deleted after it's been rooted.
Google Books works just fine (given it's crap UI design) on my rooted Droid, isn't that one of the DRMed apps? I'm thinking this unlock utility does a little more than just unlock things.
Good!
"will break when the promised bootloader unlock utility is applied, Asus said, as will any other service that relies upon Google DRM."
My heart bleeds! The quicker DRM is killed off the better. Anyone who buys DRM'd media is a pillock and should have more sense than to allow themselves to be held to ransom.
