Confirmed: ASUS Bringing Bootloader Unlock Tool to All Regions; Android 4.0 Update January 12th; Explains GPS Issues (Not Looking Good)
Just like that, ASUS USA has followed their Taiwanese counterpart in offering a statement regarding some recent “in-the-news” items in regards to its Transformer Prime Android tablet. Firstly, all units will be getting the previously-confirmed bootloader unlock tool.
They say they had to lock the bootloader to comply with the demands of content providers. Upon unlocking your bootloader with the future tool, your warranty will be void and you will be unable to purchase certain content (such as music or movies) from services such as the Android market.
Secondly, they reiterated that a worldwide rollout for Android 4.0 would begin “starting” (meaning there’s no guarantee every region will get it at once) January 12th via OTW. Sweet deal, indeed.
They also took this time to address the tech world on supposed GPS issues that have had users up-in-arms. Unfortunately this isn’t quite like the Samsung Galaxy S GPS issue of 2010 that was fixed with a software update.
ASUS simply says that as the GPS radios they use are not the same as professional units (say, military grade or those available in standard navigation devices) and that the metallic build of the device may affect GPS performance.
Yep, that’s it. No fix, no nothing. In fact, they don’t even want to acknowledge GPS in their fact sheets anymore. Bummer, but if it really can’t be helped then it really can’t be helped. The choice is yours whether or not to purchase it. [via ASUS Facebook]