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UK will ban mobile carriers from selling locked handsets in 2021
Mobile operators in the UK will be banned from selling smartphones locked to their networks, according to the regulator Ofcom.
Twitter is removing 'locked' accounts, again
As Twitter has tried to get a handle on fake accounts floating around its service for various reasons, there have been a series of purges. Last July many high-profile accounts saw their follower numbers dip as it removed accounts that had already been locked for suspicious activity, but since then some of the accounts had apparently been unlocked. The company confirmed to Reuters that it "discovered a bug where some of these accounts were briefly added back, which led to misleading follower counts."
FBI admits to 'over-counting' inaccessible mobile devices
For the last two years, the FBI has repeatedly claimed that thousands of phones linked to criminal investigations were inaccessible due to locks and encryption. Last year FBI Director Christopher Wray said it had failed to access 7,800 mobile devices, but tonight a Washington Post report reveals that number is incorrect. According to the Post, the accurate number is between 1,000 and 2,000, with a recent internal estimate putting at about 1,200 devices, and in a statement, the FBI responded: "The FBI's initial assessment is that programming errors resulted in significant over-counting of mobile devices reported." The official excuse is that errors caused by multiple databases resulted in devices being counted more than once, but the issue has been an FBI and DOJ pursuit of backdoor access to locked phones. Then-director James Comey cited the inflated figure during a debate over the San Bernardino shooters' locked iPhone, and it has come up again in relation to similar incidents. Without being provided any backdoor by Apple, law enforcement gained access to that device anyway, and as we've recently learned, there are tools it can use for newer phones. The government has repeatedly referred to "Going Dark" as a major problem it faces in investigations, suggesting tech companies are enabling criminals by strengthening privacy protections that they can't get around. But privacy advocates have long thought the agency was pumping up its numbers, and now it's case has taken a significant hit.
Report: Some Assassin's Creed 4 single-player content gated by Uplay passport
Those that pick up a brand new copy of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag will notice that the game comes with a Uplay Passport, Ubisoft's version of an online pass. While the passport typically grants access to online sections in the game, in the case of Assassin's Creed 4 it also unlocks small pieces of social content. Game Informer reports that the online pass locks away the game's fleet management system, in which players add vessels they board in the game to their fleet and send the ships out on missions to earn additional money. Players with second-hand copies of the game that don't plunk down $10 for a Uplay Passport are unable to manage their fleet, and since real-life friends are able to provide assistance to fleets, the management system is not an offline-only aspect of the game, even though it falls into the single-player campaign. We've contacted Ubisoft for comment on the game's Passport and will update as we learn more.
Blizzard's tips for dealing with a locked account
Having your account locked isn't an uncommon problem -- and it doesn't necessarily mean your account has been compromised. Because Blizzard is trying to stop hackers in their tracks, doing anything that makes it look like you aren't the one playing the game -- like logging in from an unusual location -- can trigger a lock. So what's a gamer to do when hit with a locked account? Fortunately for all of us, Blizzard CS representative Araxom has explained how to avoid locked account woes -- without even getting in touch with customer support. An easy fix? Change your password from your new computer or new location. This requires you to authenticate with Blizzard -- and answer your secret question -- so the servers are sure that you're actually you. Another helpful tidbit: have an authenticator (or authenticator app) attached to your account and SMS protect enabled. These helpful security features not only make it harder for your account to get stolen -- they can make it clear to Blizzard that your account is in your hands, even if you're logging on from a new computer. For more details and tips, check out Araxom's thread on Reddit. And if your account actually has been hacked, it's going to take a few more steps, but we'll walk you through it.
Verizon Galaxy S III has locked bootloader (but it's been rooted anyway)
Based on Samsung's hacker-friendly track record, you'd generally expect one of it smartphones to come with an unlocked bootloader, making it easy to update or tweak with unofficial ROMs. That's not the case with Verizon's imminent version of the Galaxy S III, however. As the folk at XDA know only too well, this particular iteration of Sammy's flagship comes with a sealed bootloader, which makes it resistant (though not impervious) to hackery. Of course, Sammy has nothing to gain from snubbing the modding community in this way, so it stands to reason that VZW pushed the Korean manufacturer to supply them with a locked bootloader -- despite the fact that all other variants have been left open. We've reached out to Big Red for comment, but in the meantime a clever soul over at Rootzwiki claims they've already found a workaround for root access. (At this point, though, we'd better provide our usual disclaimer: be very careful before you poke around in there, because going up against a locked bootloader can be risky. The apparent safety of modern life is just a shallow skin atop an ocean of blood, guts and bricked devices.)
Sprint pushes SIM lock to iPhone 4S customers, offers to undo it for good boys and girls
We all knew this day would come. It's hardly a tragedy, but some globe-trotting types out there might be a little annoyed. Starting today Sprint is pushing a SIM lock to all iPhone 4Ss on its network. As you may remember, the first batch of Apple handsets sold on bee-hued carrier were unlocked, but the company was perfectly clear that would be changing. A Sprint spokesperson told us this doesn't constitute a change in policy, "think of it as getting the device in compliance." Subscribers in "good standing" for at least 90 days can always call customer service and request the device be unlocked (again). Check out the full explanation of the locking/unlocking policy after the break.
Motorola locks Droid RAZR bootloader, angers ROM-happy lovers of anorexic handsets
Like the Droid 3 before it, Motorola's Droid RAZR will be shipping with a locked bootloader -- despite the company's promise to start unlocking its handsets. Sure, the Atrix is ripe for the hacking, but it seems like Verizon really doesn't want Moto encouraging its customers to start mucking around with custom ROMs. The official Motorola Mobility Twitter account says the RAZR bootload is locker per the carrier's request. It's a shame, but we're sure this will be only a temporary roadblock. If it takes more than a month to crack this bad boy we'll be shocked.
Droid 3 sadly shipping with locked bootloader
Well, we hate to be the bearers of bad news but, looks like the Droid 3 will not be shipping with the unlocked bootloader Motorola promised us. According to a Motorola support forum manager the latest, landscape QWERTY slider from the company is not sporting the new unlockable firmware found on the Xoom. Now, before everyone gets up in arms, lets remember that Moto said it wouldn't be offering the new bootloader till "late 2011," and it's entirely possible the Droid 3 could shed those shackles with a future software update. So, we understand you're a little disappointed but, patience is a virtue friends.
HTC officially dissolves locked bootloader policy
The homebrew community may mourn HTC's Thunderbolt, Incredible S, Sensation and EVO 3D, but the company's controversial policy of locking bootloaders is no more. Following a tease yesterday, HTC CEO Peter Chou has decreed from on high -- namely, HTC's Facebook page -- that future devices will be open. 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. We're holding out hope that this policy will also be retroactive, but this is very welcome news regardless. Ball's in your court, Motorola.
Motorola promises unlocked bootloaders for future Android phones? (update)
Android users have spoken, and maybe, just maybe, Motorola actually heard -- AusDroid claims to have a statement direct from the mobile phone manufacturer promising unlocked bootloaders later this year: We completely understand the operator requirement for security to the end user, and as well, want to support the developer communities desire to use these products as a development platform. It is our intention to enable the unlockable/relockable bootloader currently found on Motorola XOOM across our portfolio of devices starting in late 2011, where carriers and operators will allow it.Wonderfully corporate of them to pass the buck to the carriers, no? This quote comes by way of a gentleman who petitioned Moto for just such a thing, mind you, so please take it with a grain of salt, and you'll be the first to know if we get confirmation from Motorola itself. Update: AusDroid managed to get in touch with Motorola North Asia, and it sounds like we're looking at the truth -- let's see if Sanjay Jha agrees when he wakes up tomorrow morning.
HTC locks down Incredible S against custom ROMs too, starts a fight with its best friends
The Thunderbolt, you might have noticed, marked an unpleasant change for HTC by making it a tiny bit difficult to replace the company's own Android software with your favored community-sourced alternative. Well, turns out it's not alone and could in fact be just be the tip of an unhappy iceberg heading our way. The AndIRC guys responsible for cracking it open have also noted with some distress that the Incredible S -- likely to become the Droid Incredible 2 in the States -- features a similar signature check when flashing recovery images. In short, that means any ROMs that don't know HTC's "open sesame" password, won't be allowed to ride on your device. Bogus? Totally, dude.
Nintendo 3DS may have region-locked software, continue an unfortunate trend
Once upon a time, when handheld game systems were thicker and Nintendo was entirely without peer, the company deigned to allow us to import games without fear. On Game Boy of all shapes and sizes, as well as the Nintendo DS, a Japanese cartridge would let you experience portable wonders years before they hit Europe and the US. Starting in 2008, however, Nintendo made DSi-specific titles region-locked -- and that's the same fate that will likely befall games on Nintendo's new 3D handheld as well. "There is the possibility that Nintendo 3DS software sold in one region will not function properly when running on Nintendo 3DS hardware sold in another," a company statement reads, though it's important to note that region locks are typically a two-party affair -- if game publishers choose to make their stereoscopic software region-free, it might work on your handheld anyhow. So yes, you might still have a chance to get your date sim on.
Droid 2 Global GSM bands locked, camera bulge added to case
No surprise here, but it looks like Verizon's on-sale-but-never-really-announced Droid 2 Global has its GSM radios locked down, meaning you can't just throw an AT&T SIM in there and expect anything to work. Of course, the enterprising hackers at xda-developers are hot on the case, so there's a chance things will be opened up, but we wouldn't hold our breath. In other news, it looks like there's been a slight case modification to the Droid 2 Global -- the camera module now sports a slight hump as seen in the comparison photo above. We're not sure if this is to accommodate the extra radio or (please please please) perhaps a better sensor, but whoomp, there it is. No big thing in the grand scheme of things, but between the dark blue casing and the camera bulge, you'll totally be able to spot D2G owners out of the crowd. And that... that will make you a super nerd weirdo. But it's okay, because we love you.
Off-contract Dell Streak is still SIM-locked to AT&T, wrongs still being done in the world
Bummer. If you were planning to get your Streak pre-order in today, but were going to opt for the $549 off-contract version rather than the $249 on-contract version, we're sad to inform you that it's the exact same device in both scenarios. Not that we're shocked or anything, but Dell's own Lionel Menchaca has confirmed the tragedy via Twitter (shot after the break), noting that the $549 version of the Dell Streak "will not be SIM unlocked." In case that needed any more clarity, he continued: "It is SIM-locked to AT&T." Fairly lousy news for those hoping to snag one and pop a few international rental SIMs in as they headed off on their late-summer escapades, but it still makes us wonder whatever happened to that T-Mobile-ized version that sauntered through the FCC back in April. Angela Lansbury, we need you. Desperately.
iPhone 4 prices from around the world
Now that the iPhone 4 is available around most of the world, iFun designed this interesting little infographic that compares the various prices of the handset around the globe. Note that all of these prices are in Euros, and that they all reflect the out-of-contract price -- because the US iPhones are locked to the AT&T network currently, our country doesn't appear on this list. But if you want to buy an unlocked iPhone elsewhere in the world, you should probably go with Hong Kong, where an unlocked 16gb phone will set you back US $653. Italy sells the costliest iPhones, with the price reaching up over US$1000 there for an unlocked phone. This whole thing is really just more of a fun comparison rather than a really solid analysis -- most people who want an iPhone will probably buy it in the country where they live, especially if they need a certain contract. But it is interesting to see just where Apple has determined it can go higher on the price, either because of certain tariffs or shipping that must be paid, or just because the demographic calls for it. [via MacStories]
Buying an iPhone 4 from a Canadian carrier? It's locked
We've been tipped this morning (and have now been able to confirm, thanks to our own Myriam Joire braving the lines) that if you buy an iPhone 4 in a Canadian carrier's store today, you leave with it locked to that carrier -- despite Apple's trumpeting that you can buy it SIM-free. It appears as though the activation process might be responsible for causing the carrier lock -- either that, or the carriers' subsidized models are shipped locked, unlike the full-price devices you can buy directly from Apple. Either way, it's a bummer, and it's certainly something to take into consideration before you buy. [Thanks, Chris] Update: We've now confirmed that the lock is happening at the time the phone is activated -- in other words, it begins life carrier-agnostic. Pretty wild stuff. Update 2: Tipster Mika G. tells us that unlocked phones purchased directly from Apple do not lock upon carrier activation, which jibes with Apple's wording that "you can change carriers at any time." Carrier-purchased phones, however, definitely do lock.
Rumor: Unsubsidized iPhone to be offered by AT&T
Looking to pick up an iPhone, but not interested in getting bogged down by any contracts with "the Man?" Your time may have come -- The Boy Genius apparently got their hands on some slides from an AT&T training session saying on March 26, AT&T will offer a "No-commit" for their existing customers on both iPhone models -- it'll be $599 for the 8GB and $699 for the 16GB.This isn't quite a deal anyone's planning to jump at, however, since the phones themselves are likely still locked to the AT&T network. Not to mention that you've got to already be an AT&T customer, and they're only selling one phone per line that you've already got. Which means these phones are... for Grandma, who doesn't want a contract and can't make it to the store herself? Businesses might be interested as well, we guess, but for most of us, it's still cheaper to just buy the phone and sign the AT&T contract (assuming that you actually want to use it as a phone).What it does likely say, however, is that AT&T is expecting an iPhone hardware upgrade, and wants to clear out as much of the stock they've got now as they can (to suckers who are willing to pay more). [via Engadget]
Presidents of the USA release iPhone app with their music in it
Wired has a story up about an interesting tactic The Presidents of the United States have put into action (no, not the Commanders in Chief, the pop punk trio from the '90s). While they already do have their music in the iTunes Music Store, one of the band's members has joined a company that makes iPhone software, and they're also putting all of their tunes into the App Store as well. The app sells for three bucks and allows you to listen to tracks from the four albums of material that the band owns themselves -- though only through a stream, which, according to the reviews, can sound pretty bad at times.So interesting idea, pretty poor implementation. Still, this might be a good way for even smaller bands to get their music out there and into people's hands -- the only up-front cost on the App Store is the $100 registration fee, and Apple's fine with whatever you put out there. As Wired notes, they get paid their 30% whether you're selling your tunes via an app or through iTunes. Plus, with a dedicated app, you can add in news, throw in interactive extras, and put whatever else you can think of in there.I doubt this is the last time we'll hear about an artist (or even a corporation) selling an iPhone app with content built-in to promote themselves. The only issue is that anyone releasing "promoware" like this should be required (either by Apple or just by consumers) to offer some actual functionality along with the promotion.
Troll/Ranger PvMP disabled once more
A post on the official Lord of the Rings Online forums today announced that Troll and Ranger PvMP Session Play will be disabled for the second time. However, unlike last time, we've got a clearer idea about why they are being taken down.Curse.com's developer tracker picked up on a forum thread where someone was complaining about an exploiting Ranger. Apparently this character was able to reset their Ranger timer to continue playing it as long as they wanted, as well as having the ability to despawn, even while people were attacking, and reappear elsewhere with replenished health. The official response to this post confirmed that the Trolls and Rangers will be disabled due to this.As a lot of Turbine's staff have already left the office for the holidays, they have disabled the quests for now and will reinstate them once they have fixed the exploits.
