The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

Feeds

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. ®

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.

13
0

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.

3
0

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.

3
0
Anonymous Coward

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.

2
0

Hooray

for social media blackmailing...

3
2

More from The Register

MYSTERY Nokia Lumia with gazillion-pixel camera 'spotted'
With 20Mp sensor - NOW will you try Windows Phone 8?
Microsoft reveals Xbox One, the console that can read your heartbeat
Upgrades Live service – and no always-on requirement
 breaking news
The iWatch is coming! The iWatch is coming!
Reports: Apple's wrister to have 1.5-inch OLED, test units being built
US boffin builds 32-way Raspberry Pi cluster
Beowulf cluster built for the price of a single PC
Dell's PC-on-a-stick landing in July: report
Wyse up, suckers, could this be a new set-side-stick?
Review: HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook
All roads lead to Chrome?
Borked your iDevice? Pay EVEN MORE to have it fixed by Applecare
Or scream at their hapless techies on their forums
Review: Sony Xperia SP
The new mid-range marvel? Oh yes.
Euro PC shipments plummet into bottomless pit of DOOOOM
11th quarter of decline, 20pc drop on last year - Gartner