Power users and hackers tend to gravitate toward the Android ecosystem because of the relative “openness” of the platform to tweaking one’s handset and thereby getting access to tons of personalization and customization options. The jump off point however, before an enthusiast can start tinkering with his Android-powered device is ensuring that his handset comes with an unlocked bootloader (or an unlockable one for that matter).
The HTC Droid DNA is on sale now starting at $99.99.
We remember seeing the Verizon version of the Samsung Galaxy S III get released back in the day get released with a locked bootloader to the consternation of hackers and power users in the client base of Big Red but the handset still succumbed to the efforts of the hardworking fellows of the developer communities.
That is the same dilemma that the HTC Droid DNA is going through right now. Word on the street is that the HTC phablet will hit the shelves of Verizon toting a locked bootloader despite the fact that the handset has already been rooted ahead of its official release. It looks like HTC is putting a stop to the bootloader unlocking of the handset and the HTC Droid DNA will make its debut in the shelves without an unlockable bootrom as reported in the past. In addition to that, potential users of the HTC Droid DNA phablet can no longer have the bootloader of the device unlocked officially via the HTCDev website.
Hackers and power users are not bothered though, not even in the slightest, because we can be assured that there are hardworking boys and girls in the developer communities working day and night to find a resolution to this particularly sticky issue. We can just look at the Verizon version of the Samsung Galaxy S III which got its locked bootloader cracked open and we know that one day, the HTC Droid DNA will also get unshackled and all those users already lining up to get their hands on the HTC phablet will also get their chance to put the HTC phablet through numerous personalization and customization for that matter.
As for the HTC Droid DNA, the device reached official status when it was unveiled a couple of days back and is HTC’s entry to the phablet market directly competing and challenging the Samsung Galaxy Note II in the category. The handset runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean for its operating system and this draws power from the device’s QualComm APQ8064 SnapDragon chipset. This SoC brings into play a quad-core Krait processor running at a clock speed of 1.5 GHz and a staggering 2GB of RAM working together to ensure the smoothness of the phablet’s performance. Storage space on the HTC Droid DNA comes up to 16GB with 11GB set aside for user content while its display is a 5.0-inch SuperLCD 3 panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. Its camera department on the other hand boasts of a rear-facing 8MP shooter and a front 2.1MP video chat and self-portrait camera.
You can purchase the HTC Droid DNA now starting at $99.99.
November 23, 2012 at 11:47 am
Wow, there’s a shocker… Verizon mandated a locked bootloader. NEWS FLASH, they ALWAYS mandate that on every Android phone. And just because people managed to find an unlock for the Galaxy S III does not mean one will come for the DNA. The S III unlock was due to someone stumbling upon a leak. It wasn’t anything that was hacked.
If you want the best 4G LTE network, go to Verizon. If you want unlocked bootloaders, go to Sprint or AT&T. You’re not getting both.