14 DAY TRIAL // The same as with many other mobile operating systems out there, Microsoft's new Windows Phone 7 platform does not offer users the possibility to install all the applications they would like to, but only those that have been approved by the company, and which can be downloaded via the Windows Phone Marketplace. While this might be seen as an issue by some, it is actually a feature aimed at ensuring the users install on their mobile phones only software that passed certain testing, so that it won't harm the user in any way.
However, a tool that enables users to unlock their devices from this limitation was released recently, namely ChevronWP7, an application already pulled from the Internet.
The purpose of that app, according to its developers, was to ensure that Windows Phone 7 users can sideload apps on their devices, so as to proliferate homebrew software solutions.
Basically, ChevronWP7 would offer “developer level” access on Windows Phone 7, so that users can load apps on their devices the same as developers do.
But, since only developer devices come with this feature, Microsoft has packed inside its Windows Phone 7 OS a method through which each handset ID is verified against a database to check whether it should be unlocked or not.
In case one developer closes his / her account, the handset is re-locked, and the sideloading permission removed. The same happens with the handsets unlocked with ChevronWP7, which are reverted to their original state after a while (around two weeks, it seems).
The guys behind ChevronWP7 confirmed this as well, in a recent blog post, stating that Microsoft themselves announced the inclusion of this solution with Windows Phone 7 devices.
“Contrary to circulating reports, Windows Phone 7 devices unlocked via ChevronWP7 are not being targeted by Microsoft,” the developers note.
“Instead, the phone is reverting back as a result of a periodic check. Simply put, the phone rings Microsoft and asks 'Hey, am I supposed to be unlocked?'. If Microsoft responds with a 'No, what are you thinking?', the phone apologizes and initiates a lock down.”
Reportedly, Microsoft announced plans to support homebrew applications for its mobile operating system, which means that some things might changes in this area in the near future. Stay tuned for more.