Could there be an official way of upgrading a G1 into a Dev Phone 1?

[Jon Colverson]

Hello.

The announcement of the Dev Phone 1 today had me excited, because it's
a great step for the platform, but also irritated, because now I'm
wishing I hadn't bought a G1 last month. I imagine there are plenty of
other developers in the same boat. I know I could eBay my G1 and buy a
DP1, but even with the relatively cheap price of the DP1 I think I
would still lose a chunk of change after shipping, taxes, payment fees
and everything else is taken into account -- not to mention all the
hassle.

I understand that the G1 is a T-Mobile product, and it's up to them
what they do with it, but I wonder if this would work:

Could Google negotiate with T-Mobile to produce a signed update that
would reflash the G1's bootloader to allow unsigned updates and
essentially turn the G1 into a DP1? This update would only be
available to registered Android developers and would perhaps cost a
modest amount (~$25). Developers would also have to agree to a click-
through agreement that washes T-Mobile's hands of any support
responsibility for the device. It would be analogous to the way I can
pay T-Mobile a small amount to SIM-unlock a phone, but this would just
be unlocking the bootloader instead.

If any other developers would be interested in this then perhaps you
could rate this post so that Google can gauge interest?

Thank you.

--
Jon

[Netherside]

I completely agree with this, I had just purchased and recieved my
device prior to this announcement however would have held off. I
certainly hope there will be a way for me to do this. I wouldnt mind
keeping it locked to tmobile for the 90 days they require as I
currently use them for a family plan anyway.

[Falcon4ever]

I think this is a good idea.

The announcement of the Dev Phone G1 kinda made me feel a little
dissapointed that I bought the G1 in a few weeks ago (paid full price
(399 usd) and made them unlock it).
If I knew about this earlier, I would've waited for the dev phone
instead.

Hopefully google can give developers the opportunity to do the same
development on the Tmo G1 (I wouldn't mind paying the 25 developers
fee if required).

Thanks.

[machvracer]

PLEASE make this happen! I am VERY disappointed, I would have held out
also if I had known. I would have no problem paying the additional,
but I am now locked into a contract that I never would have done if
this was an option before.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE find a way!

[Chanwit Kaewkasi]

If so, one more thing left.
We have to paint the cover ourselves.

Cheers,

Chanwit

2008/12/7 machvracer <machv...@gmail.com>:

[Patrick Flynn]

I'd even pay $100 to "upgrade" to the unlocked dev model, even if it
meant I'd lose support....And I'm even saying this even though I have
a rooted RC30.

Plus, the back cover is pretty cool.

[JP]

I would love to see this option as well. I picked up the TMo G1 but
would have held out for the dev version if I would have known about
it. I would pay an additional fee to upgrade my G1 into the dev
version and if possible maybe snag a back cover to go along with it.
Please make this happen.

Regards,

JP

[jphi...@gmail.com]

i am also interested in this. I am going to sign up and pay the 25
dollar fee to register, I think it would be a great for us to convert
our retail g1's to dev phones.

[Disconnect]

We have the engineering bootloader if you have root access. (http://www.gotontheinter.net/node/7)

There is a patch coming momentarily (look for file ver 1.1) that allows you to flash unsigned code at will using fastboot.

[Jason]

Looks like Christmas came early this year. ;-)

On Dec 6, 9:41 pm, Disconnect <dc.disconn...@gmail.com> wrote:
> We have the engineering bootloader if you have root access. (http://www.gotontheinter.net/node/7)
>
> There is a patch coming momentarily (look for file ver 1.1) that allows you
> to flash unsigned code at will using fastboot.
>

[Hetal Patel]

Sure a Upgrade path would be nice as i already own 2 piece for Test
Purpose in India, i have bought it unlocked from a TMobile Customer at
Hefty Premium.

Now it would be senseless to sell it cheap here and again Buy Dev
Model, Hope Google Allow us TMobile to Dev G1 Upgradation i already
have lost / not Interested in Warranty Coverage. Google Can put
Mechanism like Developer Firmware Activation in Which Once the
Developer Flashes using Developer Update.zip the next time the Phone
Boots it ask for IMEI Registration for Developers and here the Google
can Mark and Report those IMEI of Phones to Tmobile and HTC for
Warrenty Voiding. etc. etc.

Lets Hope Google, HTC and TMobile workout this Issue Also.

[gjs]

Hi,

I'd be interested in turning my G1 into a Dev Phone 1 as well.

I also got a retail US G1 via ebay, I'm in a non t-mo region so
warranty & support etc is no issue for me.

Regards

[FranckLefevre]

Hi All,

Note that several "official" development boards can be used as a Dev
Phone.

For instance, the ZOOM TI's OMAP based platform is very good to do so.

Pros:
- completely open and flashable (down to the pre-bootloader)
- all the basic Android software is already available there
- access to hardware level debugging tools ( JTAG)
- this shipset is the basis of many consumer products to come

Cons:
- will never be deployed "as is"
- a bit to large to fit into your pocket

I must confess that I don't know the price but unlocked G1s are pretty
expensive...

Franck

On Dec 6, 11:27 pm, Jon Colverson <jjc1...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Jason]

Unit price of the Texas Instruments ZOOM MDK is $875 USD. It would be
more useful for generic mobile ARM development, but I think for
Android development, particularly targetting the G1, the Dev Phone 1
would be a better choice?

[kunjan]

Google please provide an upgrade path or a device exchange even for a
$100 premium.. If i knew of this, i would have held off too. I'd love
to "own" my device and do whatever with it, rather than Tmob being my
nanny. I am sure if you release a jailbreaker for the Tmob G1, tmob
would have a hissy fit. But how about a device exchange?????


Thanks!!!
Kunjan.

[M. Merchant]

I completely agree. Even for those of us early adopters, perhaps a
trade-up program as discussed by other users would be most beneficial.

[jzerocsk]

I also support this idea and would pay a fee for the same.

[Anders Nilsson Plymoth]

I add my support to this,
Anders

On Dec 9, 2008 2:53 PM, "jzerocsk" <jzer...@gmail.com> wrote:


I also support this idea and would pay a fee for the same.

On Dec 6, 5:27 pm, Jon Colverson <jjc1...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello. > > The announcement of the Dev Phone 1 today had me excited, because it's > a great step f...

[Stefano M Canta]

Same here, I add my support.

Stefano

[Jean-Baptiste Queru]

I, for one, vote to have this thread moved to android-discuss.

JBQ

[Jeff]

The lack of Googles responce on this has me worried. They seem pretty
quick to respond to the rest in my opinion.. hope we get an answer..
and the one we are hoping for.

[Michael]

This seems like more for a question for T-Mobile, rather than Google.

[kunjan]

Tmobile doesnt sell the Dev Phone. Google does. Yep on a device
exchange google would have to take the hit. And I am sure they'd not
like that.

The best option is try to return this phone to tmobile for credit and
get a dev phone from google. But well thats the treatment us early
adopters, people who actually recommend these new devices to others,
get.

K.

[Jeff]

I'm not interested in an exchange per say, but an upgraded system to
the dev system, easy to send an OTA to the developers adding the right
features. That's what I want.

[Dianne Hackborn]

I want a pony.

--
Dianne Hackborn
Android framework engineer
hac...@android.com

Note: please don't send private questions to me, as I don't have time to provide private support.  All such questions should be posted on public forums, where I and others can see and answer them.

[Jason]

Hmm... not on the roadmap. Maybe Android 2.0? =D

On Dec 11, 2:42 pm, "Dianne Hackborn" <hack...@android.com> wrote:
> I want a pony.

[Disconnect]

I have some news on converting from G1 to ADP1 on my website (http://www.gotontheinter.net/).

(But no info on the pony patch.. :) ..)