HTC and S-OFF - A universal petition ***/\/\*** Sent to HTC ***/\/\***

We, the undersigned, are formally requesting that HTC consider extending end users the ability to turn on/off the platform security on their phones (S-OFF) preferably through a method that also permits full access to the phone's software partitions (For example: "APX/NvFlash" mode on the Tegra platform). This would be a further development on the current "Bootloader Unlock" being provided on the domain htcdev.com for certain devices. Such a feature, if granted would greatly ameliorate the esteem developers and non-developer users have for HTC for its relationship with its customers.

Collectively, we also wish to make it clear that we acknowledge the risks involved with such a feature and understand that HTC is not liable for any faults caused through software modifications carried out by the end user. HTC reserves the right to refuse warranty repair on this basis providing sufficient evidence of user-induced damage is present. We are requesting that if HTC are to respond positively to this feature request that they would also make it clear that within the terms of their limited warranty and with the statutory rights of the consumer undisturbed they will not invalidate the limited warranty for instances of faults clearly arising from manufacturing errors. We would also request that any such statement would be clear in its terms without resorting to ambiguous terminology such as "may".

We also wish to state that we are aware of HTC's carrier agreements which may make such a feature impossible to implement on customised devices sold by certain carriers. With this in mind, we wish to make it clear that we are requesting such privileges only for devices that are sold as "sim-free" or by carriers who do not actively oppose such features.

Sincerely,
The undersigned customers of HTC

View signatories here: http://goo.gl/9a1pzhttp://goo.gl/uSkOg

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Dear Mr. Chou,
I am writing to you today on behalf of over 1000 fellow long-time customers of HTC with regard to an issue many smartphone enthusiasts feel quite strongly about and base their purchasing decisions and product recommendations upon.

This issue is that of platform security. Over a year ago, you said:
"There has been overwhelmingly customer feedback that people want access to open bootloaders on HTC phones. I want you to know that we've listened. Today, I'm confirming we will no longer be locking the bootloaders on our devices. Thanks for your passion, support and patience," Peter Chou, CEO of HTC"

The manifestation of this statement that is htcdev.com and its limited "Bootloader Unlock" has been met with a less-than-positive response by the enthusiast community who have begun migrating to your competitors such as Samsung who do not put any such restrictions on the bootloader of their devices. I for one, having already bought a One X do not intend on buying another Android HTC product until such a time that your company's stance changes to best or at least match that of your competitors.

As smartphone enthusiasts, we are aware that we do not form the majority of your target demographic. Yet, at the same time, we are a sizeable group of long-time customers and fans of your products and design ethos. If you lose us to your competitors, you not only lose us as customers but lose a great deal of word-of-mouth marketing from product referrals and reviews.

Through an authenticated (By product serial number) survey, I have a list of over 1000 customers who have added their name to the following request and made it clear that their likelihood to recommend your products would increase by ~30% if you were to respond positively to our request.

The request (Which is reasonable and conscious of your carrier agreements and business position) and signatories can be viewed here: http://goo.gl/l3Sjy (Body of request also available at end of email)

I thank you very much for your time,
Yours Sincerely,
<Name removed>


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We, the undersigned, are formally requesting that HTC consider extending end users the ability to turn on/off the platform security on their phones (S-OFF) preferably but not essentially through a method that also permits full access to the phone's software partitions (For example: "APX/NvFlash" mode on the Tegra platform). This would be a further development on the current "Bootloader Unlock" being provided on the domain htcdev.com for certain devices.

Such a feature, if granted would greatly ameliorate the esteem developers and non-developer users have for HTC for its relationship with its customers. Collectively, we also wish to make it clear that we acknowledge the risks involved with such a feature and understand that HTC cannot and will not be held liable for any faults caused through software modifications carried out by the end user. HTC reserves the right to refuse warranty repair on this basis providing sufficient evidence of user-induced damage is present.

We are also requesting that if HTC are to respond positively to this feature request that they would also make it clear that within the terms of their limited warranty and with the statutory rights of the consumer undisturbed they will not invalidate the limited warranty for instances of faults clearly arising from manufacturing errors. We would also request that any such statement would be clear and explicit in its terms without resorting to ambiguous terminology such as "may".

We also wish to state that we are aware of HTC's carrier agreements which may make such a feature impossible to implement on customised devices sold by certain carriers. With this in mind, we wish to make it clear that we are requesting such privileges only for devices that are sold as "sim-free" or by carriers who do not actively oppose such features.

Sincerely,
The undersigned customers of HTC
View signatories here: http://goo.gl/9a1pz

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geko95gek said:

Yep, HTC doesn't seem to have any desire to give us s-off.


Spun out from a JELLIED and RENOVATED One X.

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