Microsoft agrees to address homebrew demand with ChevronWP7 developers, unlocker discontinued

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By Daniel Rubino
last updated

In a rapid fire week, Microsoft, via Brandon Watson, have contacted the developers of the unlocking tool ChevronWP7. Instead of filing a cease and desist or making other legal threats, Microsoft instead did the right thing: opened discussions with them, specifically about the strong desire for a homebrew community.

While MS has been extremely supportive of professional developers, the idea of "homebrew" apps is not to be underestimated. After all, it drove a lot of the Windows Mobile community as well as Android and HP WebOS (see PreCentral). As a sign of good faith, the developers of ChevronWP7 have agreed to discontinue support and distribution of the tool. In return, Microsoft seems to be fast-tracking discussions with them:

To pursue these goals with Microsoft’s support, Brandon Watson has agreed to engage in further discussions with us about officially facilitating homebrew development on WP7. To fast-track discussions, we are discontinuing the unlocking tool effective immediately.

We see this as a win-win for both sides as Microsoft gets the controversial unlocker pulled but the community gets their ear on this homebrew issue. See, we can all work this out. Now lets see what comes of it.

Source: ChevronWP7

Daniel Rubino
Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007, when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.