Windows Phone 7 ‘jailbreakers’ working with Microsoft on homebrew support

Microsoft is currently working with a group of Windows Phone 7 jailbreakers to support homebrew applications after the first Windows Phone update.

Microsoft confirmed earlier this month that the company plans to block the ChevronWP7 application that unlocks Windows Phone 7 devices for homebrew third-party applications.

ChevronWP7 famously released their Windows Phone 7 “unlock” tool in late Novermber that allowed owners to side load home-brew applications. The tool, named ChevronWP7, used a method to trick the OS into registering itself as a Windows Phone 7 developer device with the application rather than Microsoft directly. Microsoft normally charges $99 a year for the privilege of loading developer applications. ChevronWP7 pulled the tool at Microsoft’s request just two weeks after it was originally released. It was later revealed that Windows Phone 7 devices “phone home” after around two weeks to re-lock unofficial developer devices, rendering the tool useless.

Microsoft representatives met with Rafael Rivera and Long Zheng of the ChevronWP7 team last week to discuss the tool and Microsoft’s plans to support homebrew applications on Windows Phone 7. The ChevronWP7 team has confirmed that Microsoft is working on long-term solutions that support homebrew Windows Phone applications. Microsoft is also working on a short-term solution to continue homebrew support after the first Windows Phone 7 update. “We’re collaborating with Microsoft on an interim solution that will continue to support homebrew developments after the update,” a ChevronWP7 spokesperson wrote in a blog posting on Saturday. “We will share details of this when it has been finalized.”

Microsoft has also recently reached out to PlayStation 3 and iPhone jailbreaker Geohot. George Hotz (Geohot) joked on his personal blog that he will be purchasing a Windows Phone 7 device soon and caught Microsoft’s attention. Brandon Watson, Director of Developer Experience for Windows Phone, posted a tweet attempting to reach Geohot. Julien Schapman, a Windows Phone developer, is also planning to release a Windows Phone 7 Device Manager that includes a new way to jailbreak Microsoft’s mobile operating system. Schapman confirmed to WinRumors that his unlock method is “different and more reliable” than ChevronWP7′s.

ChevronWP7′s developers praised Microsoft’s approach of reaching out to jailbreakers. “We appreciate Microsoft’s outreach, genuine interest and involvement in this matter and we hope the community can understand we’re working towards a win-win scenario.”
Via: winrumors.com

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