Operation: Bootloader

[Fumetsu]

So the theme of this week's Android news seems to be trending towards bootloaders. HTC made waves when they released the Sensation with a locked bootloader, sparking a huge backlash on their Twitter and Facebook pages. I've been following several XDA developer's attempts to unlock the Iconia, which unfortunately does have an encrypted bootloader.

My employer has a large account with Acer and I have contacts in our procurement and IT departments. Using those contacts, I have was able to reach out to the Senior Product Manager of Notebooks, Netbooks, and Tablets at Acer, and also to the VP of Commercial Sales and Marketing and expressed our concerns and requested (very respectfully) the kernel and help with the bootloader. I pointed to the Xoom and the Transformer as being perceived as "developer friendly" and that Acer is perceived as "hostile" to the Android community. I also poitned out the huge backlash against HTC when they announced that the bootloader on the EVO 3D and the Sensation were locked down.

I dont know if I'll be successful or if I'll even get any response at all, but I figured it was worth a shot. I think it would be mutually beneficial for both us and them to unlock it, and would raise the profile of the Iconia in the community.

Keep your fingers crossed, guys. I'll keep you updated if I hear anything back.

If I don't, I want to try and rally a grassroots campaign of Iconia owners in the community and lobby them on their Facebook and Twitter pages, and even try faxes, calls, and e-mails to their USA office (based in San Jose).

If the community can get HTC to listen, maybe we can get Acer to listen too.

What do you think?

 

[bawboh86]

It's definitely with a shot. I'm with you in this one. Good luck! I hope to see this pull through!

 

[Fumetsu]

Good news everyone! </farnsworth>

I received a response from my contact at Acer, the Product Manager of Notebooks, Tablets and Netbooks for Acer America. While I can't post his contact information or the full text of his response (he was not empowered to speak publically on behalf of the company), he was able to share a bit of information with me that I can relay.

To summarize his response:

- Acer is aware of the community's reaction to the locked bootloader and unreleased kernel. They saw what went on with HTC's bootloader fiasco and they are now discussing it internally.
- They view the perception of the Iconia in the Android development and enthusiast community as very important.
- While he couldn't give me any specifics, he did reassure me that he is actively working with his team to find how quickly they can address the bootloader/kernel issues with the Iconia.

So they are aware of the issue and they are working to correct it. He gave me both his work and personal contact information and he said he'd keep me posted of updates. My personal guess is that there is more involved in the decision than just the Acer America team, but at least they're aware of the negative perception and they're taking steps to correct it.

I'll keep you all advised as I find out more, but I'm happy to see progress being made! There's still hope yet.