AT&T Locked The One X Bootloader

[terminallychill]

Just got the htc one x today in the mail only to find out the AT&T has crippled the device a with a locked bootloader. Every variant has no problem unlocking, yet at&t insists that its version be restricted. Really disappointed. Will be returning the device in favor of a Rogers or international variant. Ridiculous!

[AndriodFanMan]

I just pre-order my one x and now just found out about this. THIS IS TOTAL horse crap.  I am not even a happy customer and they are pulling this kind of crap.

I am now going to cancel it and jump to another carrier.  SCREW AT&T.

 What happen to the promised that AT&T that ALL HTC Android devices launched after September 2011 having unlockded bootloaders?  

[inktomi]

I'm planning on keeping the device,  but if it's not unlocked before my return period is up... it's going back for a refund (and I'm going to a different carrier)!

[NJ_androwarrior]

This is truly infuriating. Yesterday's comments by Stephenson were enough, and now this?! We really need to make a lot of noise about this. If the bootloader isn't unlockable within 30 days (or an acceptable time frame given as to when it will be unlockable), I'm returning the phone. Plain and simple.

[act22]

AT&T, I would like you to know that I'm a current Sprint customer who was planning on switching to your network when my contract was up in one month and getting the One X.  Now with this news however I will not be doing that.  I hope you feel that forcing the device to be locked down like this and the absolutely zero benefits that gives you are worth losing a new customer you would've had.

We need to make them painfully aware of what a poor move this is.  Facebook, Twitter, whatever you can do - get the word out that you won't use a carrier with such customer-hostile policies, and vote with your wallet.

[jsell08]

this is just completely absurd. UNLOCK THE BOOTLOADER! when i pick up the HTC One X tomorrow, you have given me 14 days to return the phone and get my money back. well, im giving YOU 14 days to unlock the bootloader, or you will lose my business entirely. and with the amount i pay you people on a monthly basis, i imagine your business model will be dramatically impacted if i walk. its simple, just unlock the bootloader.

[jii]

Unlocked bootloaders = A lot of hard-bricked phones in the hands of inexperienced users who don't even bother to do a bit of research before flashing/modding. To be honest, it's just sound business (in the eyes of a suit) for all sorts of obvious reasons.

I'm sure a tool will surface at some point.....just have some patience.

[ngravatt]

what a bunch of bull this is.  HTC unlocks the bootloader and ATT locks it down.  AT&T will steadly start losing customer now that it doesnt have a monopoly on the iproducts.  You can count me as one of those.  HTC makes the best phones (in my opion) and AT&T just makes them worse.  Why would i want to keep all the crappy ATT bloatware on my phone. its MY PHONE.  I paid hundreds of dollars for it.  

[Entropy512]

Even HTC's "unlocked" bootloaders aren't really unlocked...

You want unlocked or properly unlockable - buy a Sony or Samsung international device.

[ngravatt]

Unlock it.  Why would you keep it locked?  So you can keep your bloatware on there?  So you can keep apps running all the time that eat up my data plan so you can charge me overages?  Do you like your customers, or just our money.  This is really making me angry that i can spend hundreds of dollars on a phone and i have to spend days hacking the device just so i can use DroidWall.

Your are losing customers.  This is not a good trend to start.

[a162060505]

Can't agree more. UNLOCK THE BOOTLOADER RIGHT NOW!!!!!

[a162060505]

I plan to switch to TMOBILE as soon as my contract is over. AT&T SUCKS!

[daveschz]

Seriously just buy the international version from Amazon if you really feel that way.

[redpoint73 ACE - Professor]

People need to calm down.  AT&T did the same thing with the Vivid.  They kept the bootloader locked for about a month and a half after release, then they allowed it to be unlocked.  Not sure why they delayed it like that, or if they caved to customer pressure. Its a pretty good bet that they will do the same for the One X.  Or worst case scenario, we wait until users hack the phone to unlock it (hopefully with true S-Off).

Of course, if unlocked bootloader is a make-or-break issue for you, and you already bought the device, then you have a tough decision:  wait and hope that the bootloader indeed gets unlocked, or return the device.  But if an unlocked bootloader is that important to you, then you should have done more research before buying the phone.

Anyway, root access has already been obtained on our version of the One X, and does not require unlocked bootloader.  If your intent is to use apps that require root, or disable or uninstall the bloatware, you don't need the unlocked bootloader to do it.  Of course root access alone does not allow flashing of custom ROMs, kernels, radios.

[mgfjd]

HTC responded my letter and this is my answer back to them.

David,
I appreciate your response on these issues. Even if I decide not to keep the phone, I think it is great HTC tries to help and provide customer service. I am a first time HTC user and I am trying to learn about the phone.

Multitasking:
http://www.androidauthority.com/htc-...tasking-85598/
http://www.androidcentral.com/multit...its-customized
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1646409
http://nvonews.com/2012/05/16/htc-one-x-multitasking-issue-one-x-denies-ics-multitasking-claims/

I have done the same testing with my Samsung Captivate CM9, Samsung Galaxy II, Sprint Galaxy Nexus and they all can handle the android multitasking with no issues.
Personally my problems with the AT&T HTC phone are:
I am a mountain biker and road cycling. I use Runkeeper to track my workouts but during rides I stop to take pictures, send a mms, take a phone call and return to my ride. The HTC phone restarts Runkeeper losing my workout information. I have never had a problem with the Samsungs.
I handle office e-mails and quick office documents on the go. I copy data from quick office and paste the info in a text message. back to quick office for more data to copy but returning to the text message app, my previous info is gone because the application has been restarted. I have never had a problem with the Samsung Phones.
When I play games, going back to the home screen to send a text and trying to go back to the game. The game is re-started. My Samsung phones return to the game from my last move. No application re-starting.
One of the biggest selling point for the HTC ONE X is the 1gb memory capacity why isn't properly use?

Camera:
The picture quality is good but not great. I have to use auto enhanced from the gallery to make the pictures look good. I have to disable sharpness because it is too high. I have played with all the camera settings but still I don't get great pictures.
I usually take pictures during my mountain bike expeditions. When I take pictures of others bikers moving, the camera has a lot issues focusing and most of the time my pictures are blurry. The camera focus is great when no one is moving or objects in static position.
I have downloaded the vignette application from the market and the settings in the app somehow take better quality pictures than the built in software. Auto enhanced does minimal changes to the pictures when using Vignette, the pictures just look great.

Front face Camera:
You can not change any setting while doing Google hangout or Skype. In medium light situations, the IPhone front face camera during Google hangout, Skype the face is clearly visible; on the other hand, the HTC One X is dark no face at all.

We blinks

My Samsung android phones recognize links associated with apps in the phone. For example;
If a website has YouTube link video. The phone would ask me if I want to open the video in the browser or the YouTube application.
If a website has a link to an address by Google. The phone would ask me to open directions in the browser or the Google Maps app.
The same happens for play store, foursquare,etc.
HTC phones cannot read any links and it is frustrating.

Games

I agree it is not your fault but HTC needs to partner with top game developer companies to have games compatible ready to go from day one. Why? it is frustrating to show my Iphone friends my new phone and tell them I cannot play any of the top games waiting for compatibility. it is frustrating for me because I have paid top dollars for the phone and the games and I can not play them.

Phone Rebooting
I switched the Sense live wallpaper and the phone is back to normal.

Network
AT&T radio I agree it is out of your control.

Network settings phone
AT&T HTC One X needs a toggle 2G and 3G just like the phone versions outside USA. The reason is sometimes the 3G network is not properly performing during events or football games and being able to fall back to 2G has been a great help.

Contact picture resolution:
The contact picture resolution from Google plus or phone the contact phone is too low. My Samsung Captivate with CM9 can do high contact resolution pictures from Google plus or from the contact phone.

Memory lagging.

When going back to send a text ( I swipe)the keyboard takes a few seconds to be ready, it is not bad but it is there. It should be non-existent or at least similar to the Samsung Galaxy S II. Clearing the cache would only temporary solve the problem.

David I hope this information helps to improve the software. Please focus on the multitasking issue because I would be forced to return the phone if I can't perform simple recreational or office activities on the phone.

Thanks

[redpoint73 ACE - Professor]

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mgfjd wrote:
HTC responded my letter and this is my answer back to them.

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What was the content of your original letter, and HTC's response?  This doesn't seem to have anything to do with this thread.

[DannyNoonan]

The decision to lock the bootloader of this otherwise beautiful and capable device illustrates an acute blindspot by the Product Management leadership responsible for the launch of this phone at AT&T (PMs are the ones who make these calls).  That blind spot is the network effect of tinkerers on the broader customer ecosystem.  When you deliver this type of significantly negative customer experience to this community, the impact can be much further reaching that just the relatively small community of users who are impacted.

Time and again executives in these roles have illustrated their 2005-level model of customer behavior and networking throughout their customer base, and this is unfortunately another example.

I'm guessing the thought process that lead to this decision likely went along the lines of "the people who want to unlock the bootloader are a small number and only want to scam our paid services model".  This is an easy assumption to make, but unfortunatelty not a very well informed one.  There are many users who value the improved user experience that can be delivered by custom ROMs/Kernels, and are willing to deal with the complexity of the flashing process to get there.

If that person has those capabilties, then they are likely to have honed them through a lifetime that also involves a network of people who trust their technology opinion.  They also are likely to have a similar technology savvy across social media platforms, which makes their reach much greater.

I'm one of those people, and I'm extremely disappointed with the customer experience AT&T has decided to deliver to this device.  To boot, I'm also a product management professional that does a facepalm when I see this type of decision-making ineptitude on display for the internet to laugh at, and customers to rage about.

It's 2012, embrace your tinkerers, learn from them, and reap the wider benefits to your customer base.  Don't put on a tin foil hat and build arbitrary walls. 

[redpoint73 ACE - Professor]

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DannyNoonan wrote:

The decision to lock the bootloader of this otherwise beautiful and capable device illustrates an acute blindspot by the Product Management leadership responsible for the launch of this phone at AT&T (PMs are the ones who make these calls).  That blind spot is the network effect of tinkerers on the broader customer ecosystem.  When you deliver this type of significantly negative customer experience to this community, the impact can be much further reaching that just the relatively small community of users who are impacted.

Time and again executives in these roles have illustrated their 2005-level model of customer behavior and networking throughout their customer base, and this is unfortunately another example.

I'm guessing the thought process that lead to this decision likely went along the lines of "the people who want to unlock the bootloader are a small number and only want to scam our paid services model".  This is an easy assumption to make, but unfortunatelty not a very well informed one.  There are many users who value the improved user experience that can be delivered by custom ROMs/Kernels, and are willing to deal with the complexity of the flashing process to get there.

If that person has those capabilties, then they are likely to have honed them through a lifetime that also involves a network of people who trust their technology opinion.  They also are likely to have a similar technology savvy across social media platforms, which makes their reach much greater.

I'm one of those people, and I'm extremely disappointed with the customer experience AT&T has decided to deliver to this device.  To boot, I'm also a product management professional that does a facepalm when I see this type of decision-making ineptitude on display for the internet to laugh at, and customers to rage about.

It's 2012, embrace your tinkerers, learn from them, and reap the wider benefits to your customer base.  Don't put on a tin foil hat and build arbitrary walls. 

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Post is a complete cut and paste from this article:  http://www.theverge.com/2012/5/16/3025741/at-ts-product-management-fail-aka-the-htc-one-x-launch

If you quote another person's work, cite the source.  Otherwise it plagiarism. 

[DannyNoonan]

I wrote both.  :-)  Probably should have cited here.  I was trying to get AT&T's attention.

[redpoint73 ACE - Professor]

News on XDA is that AT&T employees are currently receiving training to look for unlocked bootloaders when doing warranty exchanges on the One X.  So this would suggest that they are getting ready to allow the bootloader to be unlocked!

[Kobos311]

Go figure, about ATT Locking the bootloader...They do know, that's only hurting them. I've loved att and been a customer for 15 years. but their updates for all smartphones they carry are absolutely outrageous. I've owned several Smartphones (As I am an Android Developer), the bounty to unlock the ATT Bootloader is up to 667 bucks. But, it doesnt matter anyway, THE SGIII release will soon happen, and HTC will have it unlocked via the company website for unlocking devices (thank god for HTC being so supportive of its development. And I'm sure behind closed doors with ATT to solve this issue why ATT feels so compelled to do this is beyond me, heck, I had an LG Thrill for a while, had Gingerbread running on it for a long time Via a custom ROM...spoke with ATT support about the release, always just said we don't know yet, a year later, finally...BUT NOT through ATT Over the air...it came via an LG tool.

Besides, Return them, save your upgrades for a little longer, and get an SGIII...HTC one X can't even touch it.

[redpoint73 ACE - Professor]

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Kobos311 wrote:
 

Besides, Return them, save your upgrades for a little longer, and get an SGIII...HTC one X can't even touch it.

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GS3 actually looks pretty underwhelming to me.  I actually waiting until the Samsung unveiled it before making my final decision to get the One X.  The unveiling made my decision all the easier.  GS3 looks like every other previous GS and Galaxy Nexus phone.  Slightly updated CPU, and some software changes to try to copy Siri and ImageSense, but that's really it.  Crappy plastic exterior, that doesn't match the sleek casing of the One X, and the camera will probably not compare, either.  GS3 will be a pretty decent phone, and maybe a competitor to the One X, but its not going to blow it away.   Bootloader unlock is almost certainly coming soon from HTC, so that's no matter either.  Even if now, I'm confidant that the folks on XDA would crack it.

[Kobos311]

*Sigh* God...I hate to break this too you, but i've been watching the err firmware monitors..I think OF COURSE WE ALWAYS GET THE CRAP VERSIONS..


We'll probably be getting the dual core version. :/  Goodbye ATT. It's been a nice 15 years for my family with you.

[ackliph]

I bought an HTC One X a few days ago and like an unsmart person I ran the update.  I bought an HTC because I do not like the constraints of the iPhone.  If AT&T is going to lock out their phones to make them essentially like the iPhone.  I will take my business elsewhere.

AT&T please unlock the bootloader on the AT&T HTC One X.

[redpoint73 ACE - Professor]

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ackliph wrote:

I bought an HTC One X a few days ago and like an unsmart person I ran the update.

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If you want or need things like root, never install an OTA.  At least not before doing the proper research.