The first official jailbreak for Windows Phone 7, ChevronWP7, has "sold out" of tokens to enable homebrew application support. ChevronWP7 originally surfaced as an unofficial jailbreaking tool in late 2010 shortly after the initial launch of Windows Phone 7. Microsoft met with the members of the team and granted official support for a modified version, released in November 2011, priced at $9 per device. The tool allows Windows Phone users to sideload applications that are not available in the official Marketplace, typically homebrew apps, without having to pay Microsoft's annual $99 Windows Phone developer program charge.
Microsoft's agreement with the ChevronWP7 team was "to sell no more than 10,000 tokens" according to spokesperson Rafael Rivera. "We're discussing if we want to up that number," Rivera added in a Twitter message. It seems like the ChevronWP7 project is temporarily on hold, or "sold out" as the developers put it. If you're desperate for a jailbreak, then there's always the DFT Freedom ROMs or The WindowBreak Project to whet your homebrew appetite until ChevronWP7 returns.
Thanks, de5gravity!
Update: Rivera has revealed "Microsoft isn’t involved in our discussion just yet." The ChevronWP7 team are deciding amongst themselves whether they want to approach Microsoft for additional tokens. ChevronWP7 has previously sold out of tokens after milestones were reached. "We had to request another chunk," said Rivera in an email to us, but that 10,000 was "the original limit since day one." We have updated our headline to reflect this.

There are 49 Comments. Add yours.
Classical Microsoft modus operandi: Embrace, Extend, Extinguish
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 7:17 AM EST reply Recommend (7) Flag actions
I’m amazed that people keep forgetting this. It keeps holding true, no matter the platform.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 10:30 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I seriously hope you’re joking… the same could go for OP…
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 10:35 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Joking? Microsoft used this phrase internally. No joke.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embrace,_extend_and_extinguish
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 10:45 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Except that phrase doesn’t even remotely apply to this situation… at all. First, there seemed have been an agreement (even they say so themselves) that limited the amount of apps that could be downloaded. So, yeah, MS didn’t do anything to make WP incompatible with the Chevron jailbreak app. I don’t know about the other two parts of the phrase, since that pretty much any software developer out there.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 10:54 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Yes, they embraced the Chevron team, extended the agreement (to Microsoft’s own specifications), and can extinguish it if need be.
Compare this attitude of “make contact and agreements under our own terms” to simply letting it exist independently of Microsoft.
It gives them the ability to control what goes on with the Chevron team, and the ability to get rid of it if needs be.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 11:02 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I guess it’s true from that perspective. Even so, this is a jailbreak tool and probably the only officially supported one in any closed environment. I’m pretty sure this whole “extend” part of the phrase was to prevent piracy even if with limited success (or none at all). I’d rather give the company the benefit of the doubt since this whole jailbreak deal is not a black and white matter at that.
Had this been 2003 or earlier, though, I would have not doubted the comments much at all though.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 11:13 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
It’s not a jailbreak tool, it’s a limited side-load enabler allowed with the intention of defusing (or delaying) attempts at actually giving users control over their devices.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 6:21 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
A bit like Google did with the LINUX community and Firefox.
Embrace, Extend, Extinguish
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 5:30 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
You can’t have an iron grip on open source software like LINUX and Firefox. Just saying. Once that code is released to the public, they can do whatever they want.
Microsoft, however, is actively trying to control anyone’s ability to open up their phone to non-approved side-loading by making monetary treaties with the jailbreakers.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 10:41 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Had the Samsung hack and never looking back.. 10,000 seems quite a lot for wp7 comparatively small userbase. I could understand MS’s dilemma here… they open it up and make it free for all they risk annoying developer fro concerns of piracy.. they don’t and the userbase gets annoyed.. As I have discovered for myself there is a real temptation to pirate apps once you have an unlocked device.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 7:23 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Pirating mobile apps? Seriously? They only cost a couple of bucks at most. If you pirate mobile apps just because you can, you’re a cheap asshole. If you can afford a smartphone data plan, you can afford to buy apps. It’s not like these things are priced out of range of mere mortals like Adobe CS5 or other PC apps laden with DRM schemes.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 1:06 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
You’d be surprised how willing people are to access mirror marketplaces to free apps. Sure, they’re a dollar here or there, but they accumulate. I pay for all my apps, for the record…
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 2:50 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
You do know that only a handgull of countries have access to marketplace?
Until i can buy apps, which i have intention for since i’m extremely happy with my phone and apps, i’ll pirate dozens of apps and games.
Posted on Jan 03, 2012 | 1:05 AM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions
Well now that’s the first decent reason I’ve heard so far.
Posted on Jan 03, 2012 | 5:52 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I don’t get this. As a platform, you’re either OK with so-called side loading or your not. If you are, just allow it right there in the OS like Android does, if you’re not then lock down the platform like Apple does.
But this monetizing strikes an uncomfortable chord with me. Microsoft sure don’t need the money so what’s the point? Also a surprise, Microsoft charge $99/years for access to the Windows Phone Developer programme? Why, Microsoft, why? Again, you can’t need the money and this does nothing to promote development for your platform – which you sorely need.
Remove barriers to development, don’t create them.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 7:24 AM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
not as easy as you put it… I think MS would like to make it free for all (at least that’s the impression I get) but if they do they risks annoying developers due to piracy concerns.. You know why every serious developer thinks of iphone and Ipads even those android has a much more bigger marketshare… and they $99 /y is only for when you submit your first app .. which shouldn’t be hard if your app is good enough
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 7:33 AM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
Any person that wants it can probably get it with a simple ‘Bing’ search.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 7:41 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Thanks for the clarification on the developer cost.
I’m not sure I understand the piracy concern. Doesn’t the tool only permit you to load certain applications, such as your own or other freely available apps, to one specific device? Piracy surely requires widespread breaking of commercial apps (on the offical Marketplace) and making them available to be side-loaded? Is this happening?
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 7:41 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
There are a quite a few websites giving away paid apps… (I can readily think of three websites). Its not as bad now but am sure if lot more people had the opportunity to side load apps it will become even more rampant.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 7:50 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
The same could be said of iOS. Jailbreaking iPads, iPhones and iPods, despite Apple’s efforts, remains ridiculously easy – easier than Android ironically and yet despite this and availability of commercial AppStore applications gratis on certain websites, AppStore revenue is through the roof.
I think there will also be a certain type of person, who for whatever reasons, will prefer free over cheap. The masses tho, probably wouldn’t bother – accepted differences between Microsoft’s approach and jail breaking iOS to achieve the same result.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 8:28 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I think the fact that the general consumer to techie ratio on both platforms probably plays a huge roll in this. I’m sure there are hundreads of thousands, if not million of people jailbreaking their devices. Whatever it is, it’s surely a small percentage of the total user base.
At WP7 launch, techies surely outweighed general consumers, and I’m sure to this day, the ratios are still a lot closer than that of iOS. So allowing everyone to side-load on a platform dominated by techies would probably not sit very well with developers.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 8:46 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
That’d be a concern if you take the view that most techies are also pirates. I think the reality is that early adopters are genuine technology enthusiasts, or just clueless buyers – that is somebody who goes into a the shop and buys whatever they like the look of. No disrespect to the WP7 platform.
People looking for a free ride – pirates – will more likely select a more mature platform where piracy already exists and is understood, such as Android, iOS or webOS.
This approach.. I just don’t know what message it conveys? We don’t trust our users? We slightly trust them? The goal of the initiative was obviously to control jail breaking, but why control it like this and not kill it, or openly adopt it. It’s perplexingly non-sensical.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 9:35 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
“That’d be a concern if you take the view that most techies are also pirates”
I agree, but I doubt that telling a developer, “You don’t have to worry about privacy because our user base is primarily techies who are genuine tech enthusiasts.” would work in their favor.
Those who pirate (beyond music) are usually more technically inclined, enthusiast or not. Like jrtorrents said, the temptation to pirate become ever more stronger when you have an unlocked device. I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the same case for many people, especially those who low disposable funds.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 10:45 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Thanks for responding :) I’m really curious how much of each smartphone market – Android, iOS, webOS, WP7 – comprises people who can afford relatively decent handsets (either being outright, or subsidised by relatively costly contracts) capable of running apps well but unable to afford crazy cheap, as in pennies, apps?
Obviously nobody knows, but I just don’t see piracy significantly affecting either the Android (low-to-high end) or iOS (middle-to-high end) markets, so why are Microsoft concerned, either themselves or on behalf of their developers?
I respect your views, but it still does not compute in my head.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 11:49 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
That would be interesting information. I don’t have a lot of disposable funds myself. Typically, when there is an app or game I want I don’t have the funds available (the joys of living paycheck to paycheck), but I always get my phone bill paid, so I just use the Bill-to-Carrier option.
“…so why are Microsoft concerned, either themselves or on behalf of their developers?”
Perhaps this is one of the reasons MS has such a good relationship with its developer community, because they have concerns beyond comprehension. Actually, that’s just typical Microsoft =P
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 12:51 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s been a while since I had to worry about smaller transactions but I do remember. Back in my day we were tape-to-tape copying C64 games – a clue to my age. I’m not proud of this, we just didn’t know any better – and, well, it was a different world back then.
But yeah. Microsoft always have been crazy-insane developer friendly. It sure would be interesting to know the rationale that drives decisions like these, though :)
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 1:18 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Am pretty sure apple or MS for that matter know the benefits of allowing jail-braking/unlocking. Apple has over the years implemented some of the ideas from their jailborken devices even to the point of using the same icons that were used. Only problem is in this case MS choose to it somewhat official which could also be interpreted as approving piracy shoud they choose to make it for everyone .. but I get your point.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 8:59 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
So giving everyone the ability to do as they wish with their devices is equivalent to condoning piracy?
Please. People are so deluded regarding piracy and end-user rights it’s stupid.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 6:24 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
WP7’s model was very similar to iOS but cause it was a late player Microsoft realised they needed more developers for quality apps and probably why they enabled this to attract more devs. Any new developer isn’t going to pay 99 bucks for a system with lowest user base.
Android on the other hand doesn’t need to care cause anyone can develop apps just that they need an account to sell it.
That’s what i think.
And i’m think Microsoft is going to give them more tokens or have some other plans.
Like a dev phone package maybe.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 7:45 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
well the $9 Chevron unlock tool was a bit unplanned .. bunch of guys came up with a way to unlock wp7 devices and MS not wanting to outlaw them made it a bit official.. it only allows you to sideload homebrew apps for testing purposes and other reasons.. but if you really want to have your app on the marketplace you have to shell out the $99 somehow… am not sure how many of these 10,000 people are actual developers.
and wp7 might have a small marketshare but there is quite a positve feedback from some developers.. some even making more than they did on android.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 7:57 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m just surprised there are 10,000 WP7 users out there at all…
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 7:29 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I think you should be even more surprised than that. Not only are there 10K users our there but these are 10K users that specifically want to “hack” their phones.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 8:59 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Believe it!
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 9:56 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
The comedy just writes itself. Running out of tokens? Really?
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 7:30 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
This discussion between me and Rafael hasn’t been deleted (yet):
http://twitter.com/#!/WithinRafael/status/153263516831318016
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 7:58 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Yeah looks like Twitter is playing up again. You can’t see this tweet https://twitter.com/#!/ChevronWP7/status/153411217019510787 on https://twitter.com/#!/ChevronWP7.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 8:31 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Hey Tom, readers, appreciate the coverage. Just wanted to provide some corrective points:
https://twitter.com/#!/ChevronWP7/status/153410981240897536
https://twitter.com/#!/ChevronWP7/status/153411217019510787
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 8:00 AM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions
Thanks, will update accordingly.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 8:00 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Cheers.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 8:01 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Selling $90,000 in sideloading tokens doesn’t sound like much of a snag to me. I thought the whole idea of this was to take it slow anyway.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 8:32 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Supporting PayPal issues is still a headache.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 11:28 AM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions
Hacking is about getting over original limitations. If the jailbreak authors or microsoft don’t want you to have your device jailbroken, then someone else will do it, except this time it’s going to be available for anyone, for free.
It’s inevitable, assuming the platform is popular enough to take the attention of hackers.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 8:43 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Another day, another piece of news that makes me sad about webOS’s demise.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 9:08 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I didn’t realise they had even sold 10,000 WP7 phones yet!
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 10:13 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
harharhar.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 12:22 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
All i have to say is this : I hope that they order more tokens soon, i mean the next wave of windows phones are coming out this year and i would love to have an unlocked lumia 800/900 whenever it comes out here in America. I would rather pay a little to unlock it officially also.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 11:01 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
LOCKS DON’T OPEN THAT WAY. THEY AREN’T HINGED.
Posted on Jan 02, 2012 | 2:01 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Really?
http://i.imgur.com/k5K1e.jpg
Posted on Jan 06, 2012 | 11:19 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
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