yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] seigex:
I've only read about half the pages, but I'm going to throw this out there, its worth an attempt... based on emails I've sent to asus, it appears their company emails use:

first_last@asus.com ... the Chairman of the ASUSTek Inc. board is Jonney Shih .. so I'm going to make a wild guess that his email is jonney_shih@asus.com in case anyone wants to attempt the email... maybe even send one to a random email address there to see if an undeliverable email comes back, then send it to jonney_shih@asus.com to see if you don't get the undeliverable response.

not sure if someone already attempted this, if they did pls ignore

btw great work on this thread and consumer pressure on ASUS.. I'm completely with rmk regarding voting with the wallet and letting the free market decide... but ASUS puts out a great product, and they need to know that if they support us we will support them, this is why I bought the TF201 after buying the TF101 and only buy ASUS motherboards for my business... But I'm not willing to be treated like a child, it's my hardware, its my responsibility, don't tell me what I can and can't do with it. If the market exists, someone will create something better than ASUS that fully supports the opensource/modding community, and I will be taking my money there..

Anyways, I hear Google will be putting out a fully developer-supported tablet in around 6-months time.. ASUS-beware

---------- Post added at 11:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 PM ----------

btw, as a huge HTC fan since i bought my first HTC Mogul, HTC Touch, then EVO 4G, and finally EVO 3D, I was disappointed when they originally had a locked EVO 3D bootloader, but they made good by listening to consumer (read: XDA) pressure and provided a method to unlock and customize their phones.. I was ready to switch to a different company, but now have solidified myself as an HTC customer and will continue to buy their phones as long as they put out quality. ... hopefully ASUS gets the picture from all of us

EDIT: ignore the email part, just noticed someone had posted it above
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ins0mniacs:
I could not have said it better!!! I am out of my 8 Thank you's for today to i have to say it like this: Thank You!!!!!:cool:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kristovaher:
You know what I find amusing?

Their reason to lock the bootloader is to stop people from updating their device and breaking it, while their own official updates have bricked a number of devices so far.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Frosty666:
I've done my part.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ins0mniacs:
Honestly, these New's should have hit the Community like a Bomb. This should have generated so much traffic that it take down asus servers. That would have gotten the message across. Along with long lines in stores returning the transformer prime. But in today's age were products make it seldom onto the shelf due to pre-order, I guess that's just not going to happen. Another win for big business.

I prefer to hand on shopping and search for reviews rather then being the guinea pig

with a broken device.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] prelaki:
Unlock Bootloader

I agree to this initiative!

@Asus @Nvidia Unlock OUR boot loader! Give us ROOT NOW! Fix GPS! #TransformerPrime learn from @HTC
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] MarkF001:
And how pray-tell? Can Can ASUS Svensk tell us please?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] hihihehe:
spammed and added provide more stock to the stores so that i can get mine!!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] MarkF001:
Yes but if you screw yourself with just root, by say deleating files in/system, or locking yourself/or system out from reading important files, bad permissions, etc.; you would have to bother ASUS to fix it. With an unloacked bootloader, you could NVFlash, back to a working tablet.!!!

But it originaly shiped without these restrictions, they were imposed as part of an update.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ins0mniacs:
You better hurry up with that idea because UEFI is in the work's... we will not be owning out hardware but rather renting it if they have their way.

I hope people wake up soon ...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Sebastian768:
People have been over/under volted/clocked/modded their GPU/CPU's since......well since I had an Intel 386 DX as far as I know. So that's a very lame excuse.

They are at best not very marketing savvy. This "issue" would affect a small number of their customers, at least 90% would (possibly) not even care and just run everything as it comes out of the box. A lot of people don't even update their gadgets. They are creating a ****storm out of nothing.

It's pretty clear that this is done for the SOLE reason to sell more stuff and enforce a strict EOL regime. HW has become so advanced lately, that it's why you phone is old after 6 months, it's the software running it. Modding removes control from the manufacturer and makes the user feel that his 6 month old "pad" feels old and sluggish. Installing modded sw/fw on it would give it a longer life. Now, how wants THAT?

For Christs sake, how can every manufacturer out there do the opposite of Apple and then complain that they are loosing market share? Design, design, design, continuous fw updates and interchangeability.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] luna_c666:
Newb so I can't post in the DEV section yet, but from what I understand the encryption key is probably on a flash ROM chip on the board, thus what if you bypass these chips (provided that the motherboard of the TF101 and 201 are similar enough) with a modded board with the TF101's comparable hardware?

For example, similar things were required to mod the original xbox, once someone managed to build a custom ROM and short the on-board BIOS chip with a modded TSOP with the modded ROM then programs could be written and run to pull the keys, in the xbox it was a certain hard-drive lock/unlock key, but it sounds to be a similar issue- basically the BIOS/ROM trying to boot refuses to without this encryption correct? But once the device is booted the hardward can be scanned and dumped?

Of course the other option is to figure out which chip contains the encryption key and rip it out and try to read the data from it? Something also done with the EEPROM chips in the OG xbox in the event that xbox had banned you from live or the HDD died and needed to be replaced? I've read the other options were just spamming ASUS and demanding them release the key or futile brute force attempts, just wondered if anyone had thought about doing something similar to this? Thanks! And sorry if this is naive or irrelevant :)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ins0mniacs:
AMEN!!! This is what happens when hype (commercialism) replaces real information.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] CoreDuo08:
Unfortunate as I've had great experiences with ASUS products over the years (routers, motherboards, laptops, etc.). But I will find other vendors if that's what it comes down to. :(
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BongoBong:
great initiative and hopefully they listn up.

But with that said i think the GPS issue should nor be brought up with this. You are way more likely to get something done if you concentrate on a single, reasonable issue as opposed to demanding multiple things.

The bootloader issue is something that can be easily remedied by asus. The gps issue is a completely different issue and either has no solution (if it is the/aluminum backplate causing the problems, sorry asus isnt going to go and replace everyones), and if its software side in all likelyhood they will do what they can without needing prodding.

Basically think its in everyones best interest to keep the message clear and to the point with the very fixable problem of the bootloader and not muddy the movement up with other demands.

Either way lets keep it up!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] MarkF001:
If we are talking about devices with no contracts from carriers, such as the TF Prime, then how is this any of the FCC's buisiness?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] gruntguy:
This.

Though it has been mentioned in the nvflash thread in the dev forum already. Would be nice if something like this could be attempted though.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] flak0:
I posted this on twitter and facebook

@Asus @Nvidia Unlock OUR boot loader! Give us ROOT NOW! Fix GPS! #TransformerPrime learn from @HTC and provide more #tf201-dock-gr 2 stores
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] shortskoolbus:
Go to Amazon and give the product a 1 star rating. Start linking the amazon link to ASUS facebook and twitter.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] js931:
This thread should be a sticky!!!

--> And PLEASE INCLUDE THE NEGATIVE AMAZON RATING IN THE FIRST POST! This will hit ASUS where it hurts....their bank accounts ;-)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] ajkid93:
Should we really do that? It isn't a bad product, nor does lacking an unlocked bootloader call for a poor review. Look at it this way, it will push the remaining customers away because they think it is essential. I mean come one, it isn't essential. We can still root and install custom roms. Look at every motorola device, they all have a locked bootloader (excluding the og droid) and they all have custom roms and have the ability to be rooted. I do agree we should have the option to unlock the Prime's bootloader, but don't make this a bad experience for Asus, or we might as well be children having a temper tantrum. I want to overclock my bad boy and do general tweaks to the kernel, but not at the extent of ruining a great company's image. They make the best monitors, motherboards and GPUs. Lets not completely ruin everything they built by completely destroying their reputation. Give them time, there has only been one day of protesting and I am pretty sure it alone is enough.

By the way, this byself is a great product out of the box (other than the GPS issue, which I believe is software related). The GPS worked flawlessly before the first update, and then it died. The second one doesn't appear to have helped it. It should work because there are metal backed devices that have working GPS.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] MightySashiman:
It's strange how most companies can't bring out a product, especially when it's good, without some kind of lame **** up aside.

It's as if the Design guys and R&D dpt did their job right, achieved a major leap, and then the management / marketing fat asses came along, took back the lead on the product circle management and added some "commercial strategy" stupid bull**** to it (the kind which ever only looks nice on a powerpoint slide)

What a great pity.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] ajkid93:
I really think you should ride to school on the short bus. We should just give them a day to respond, and not continue to show them how childish some of their customers can be.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Lorthirk:
Agree. In order to be taken in consideration by Asus we should prove we are much more mature than this. We launched the ball on their side, now it's up to them. If they won't respond, then we will score a point and Asus will lose the game.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] js931:
It is a bad product with a locked bootloader in my opinion! And that is exactly why i gave a negative review an Amazon.

I agree that ASUS makes good products, but right now i will review the unit as it is, not based on the expectations (or hopes) i have for the future.

If they change their minds regarding the bootloader, i will happily change my rating!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] gade12:
+1 i dont have this tablet but think all company have to unlock bootloader to make this grown up, android is big due to this and i think if they lock bootloaders is bad for theirs
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Mithent:
It's amusing to see Asus of all companies arguing against overclocking, because, well, let's see what they're promoting on their front page... the P9X79 DELUXE motherboard, which boasts such features as:

So apparently overclocking is to be encouraged on motherboards, but forbidden on tablets.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Koyuki-kun:
Well I've done my fair share of bugging/spamming them. Now lets just hope they actually LISTEN
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] benefit14snake:
Same response i got....
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Col.Kernel:
Maturity has nothing to do with it. Big corporations only understand one thing. Money. If you want their attention you have to kick them in the wallet.

Having said that, I am a firm believer that they (the big corporation, whichever one is the problem at the moment) should be given the chance to respond and show their maturity first. But ultimately, if they do not then it is time to act en masse and start hurting them financially.

Why do I feel this is important enough to take these sort of steps? Quite simply, if you can't root it, you don't own it. If you can't open it, you don't own it. Poor members of the Cult of Steve, they can't open OR root their phones half the time. I don't want to, and I won't, be like them.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Lorthirk:
I absolutely agree when you talk about "kicking them in the wallet". But at this time (how many signatures? were 1500 last night) I think that Asus already got their kicks, or at least knows that they will if they don't change things. Now let's give them some time to think about all the story and tell us something. I'm not talking about months of course, but 2-3 days max.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] bbkdhumm:
Asus Italia answer ?

Well... Seems Asus Italia answered:

http://android.hdblog.it/2012/01/03...-la-vicenda-bootloader-del-transformer-prime/ (in italian).

Google translate link (to english): http://translate.google.com/transla...-la-vicenda-bootloader-del-transformer-prime/

And it really doesn't sound good... :mad:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] astralmind:
Overall: "We never thought users would actually use the damn GPS... smartphones are meant for that, not tablets. So yeah... we listed it there but comon people, did you really expect it to work?"

" Flashing stuff not made directly from Asus is bad m'kay? Why would you want to do that anyways?"
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] h0l:
Agree, this does look bad for us - but we should not give up.

And maybe we should get an Italian to translate this for us, because google translator produces quite some crap here...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Wordlywisewiz:
Almost 3I signs I wonder how they like all the emails
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ins0mniacs:
Reading some of these ppl comments I want to know how many of them work for Asus. Old practice to calm the masses. Are they serious? They want to rent the transformer prime rather then owning it??? Starting to scratch my head back here. If this trent keeps up we are not going to have actual Computer but rather own just a gateway to the internet/apps/our data.

100% agreed with you
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] gruntguy:
Their statement about GPS is such bull****. The aGPS data only really needs to be downloaded once in a while. We can do that already (barely), but keeping a fix while 1) on the move, and 2) using Google Maps is the real problem.

Also, "nor do we imagine that users will use it while walking the streets of the city, looking for a street or a shop. For those things are just smartphones." - Why would you make a portable device with a GPS feature when you deny the need for location-based services??

So really what they are saying is, the only time you'll be able to use GPS, is when you know where you already are.

Let's wait to hear from ASUS USA or ASUS Taiwan and see what they have to say.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] RussianMenace:
Wow that kinda sucks. Looks like theyre trying to say that GPS is not meant for navigation like a cellphone because those have 3G and Prime does not. This is simply silly. First of all, prime has a standalone GPS. Second, every other tablet out there with a GPS has no problems with turn by turn.

As for a locked bootloader they're confirming their previously advertised stance of "people are breaking these things trying to flash stuff so we're just going to block altogether." Why can't they just leave it unlocked and simply don't honor the warranty if it was damaged by a bad flash (may be hard to prove?).

Things aren't looking good for both issues at the moment.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Wordlywisewiz:
We need to start saying void our warranty but unlock or bootloader

But stop choose to 3k signatures guys good job!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] digital samurai:
looks like i will wait for another tegra3

It is a pity.what a silly excuse.when i get lost with a gps i will have to use good old methods and ask peolpe where i am,after all what could i expect from a 590€ machice.That it tells me where i am.after all why would i want to use gps to find where i am , maybe i will use it to tell me where i can find a tablet that is worth buying and free to use as i see fit.

Pity i was so hyped about this machine after buying an ipad ages ago.I wanted real freedom and now will waith for another company to release one.

Bye bye prime,our relationship was short but sweet.I only touched u online boohooooo

Hopefully they will wake up and smell the coffee

An ex future client
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] lucid:
WHY ??

@asus :

i was going to buy 1,now i wont! :(
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Sokonomi:
Stating that you cant use a prime to navigate because 3G is required, is preposterous and idiotic.

There are whole piles of apps that simply use an offline map without any issue.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Lorthirk:
Sorry, what? :D

If your post was directed to me, let me assure that I absolutely don't work or am in any ways connected to Asus (I don't think I ever bought anything Asus, IIRC).

And honestly, I can't understand how "let's wait for a couple of days for an answer" can be interpreted as "leave them alone, poor Asus, they're doing their best!". In fact, I absolutely won't buy the Prime if it's locked and, if you look in Asus Italy Facebook page, I'm one of the commenters that is fighting against others that don't want, or don't care to want, root happening on the Prime. Moreover, I did all the signature, twitter, facebook page thing. So... again, why do you think I work for Asus?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] undercover:
I say the same thing. Keep spamming, but please understand that these things take time to go through the system.

We need to make our presence much bigger than it really is, so far you guys are doing great job spamming. Don't forget to watch your language! More intelligent power user base appears, more of a chance they will even want to talk to us.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] The_FNG:
Sent to all three:

Hi <name> – I don’t write a mfg very often, but I have to on this.

I’ve been using ASUS products since 1992, and I’ve been a loyal if not an enthusiastic supporter of your products.

I bought a TF101 for one reason: accessibility and connectivity. No other mfg of really good tablets had an SD Slot, much less a keyboard (Samsung finally came out with one that adds no additional connectivity or SD slots). I played with my TF101 and had a really good time. I ‘bricked’ it once or twice, but because of the great support of the online dev communities, I was always able to get my little jewel back online.

When the T201 was announced, I couldn’t wait. I pre-ordered a 64GB unit from Amazon, and because of delays, they cancelled my order. I was miffed, but ordered again from another vendor. Move forward 3 weeks Prime’less.

Office Depot actually had stock on the 32GB unit, so I sorta gave up on my 64GB and placed an order. It’ll be here TODAY.

But then yesterday, I learned that ASUS had made the odd choice of encrypting the bootloader, cutting the fun in half, if not the ability to enjoy it at all. With respect, this is a wrong-headed decision on ASUS’ part. I really am excited about just “getting” the Prime, but now I’m starting to think I made a mistake since I cannot “play” to the level I like.

I went to the HTC website, and agreed that if they would unlock my Thunderbolt, I would forfeit some warranty rights, unless it was an obvious hardware failure having nothing to do with any mods.

Can’t ASUS do something similar?

Steve Mitchell
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] --a3pz0--:
Facebook site

i've created a Facebook site so you could share it.

i cant post links because i have not 8 post till now. so insert this in the search from facebook:

"Asus-Unlock-Our-Bootloader-Transformer-Prime"
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ins0mniacs:
reason being...this should be unlocked from the get go! This device is not under a contract so i should be ours upon purchase.

peace
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Magnesus:
I got a response for my query from Polish ASUS:

My translation:

"Unfortunately encrypting the bootloader in Android system is dictated by the design of Tegra3 platform which has build in encryption and bootloader locking.

We are not against modifications of software and changes are not made to make the modifications harder. Changes are to increase the level of security, which can be threatened because of increasing number and complexity of malicious software.

As the Asus company we can't unfortunately support other than original versions of Android which is why eventual modifications made by users are done on theirs and only theirs liability".

Original text:

"Niestety zaszyfrowanie bootloadera w systemie android jest podyktowane konstrukcja platormy Terga 3 która sama w sobie zawiera szyfrowanie i blokowanie bootloadera.

Nie jestesmy przeciwni modyfikacjom oprogramowania i zmiany nie sa wprowadzane w celu utrudniania wprowadzania modyfikacji.

Zmiany maja na celu zwiekszenie poziomu bezpieczenstwa, które moze byc zagrozone z uwagi na rosnaca ilosc i zlozonosc powstajacego zlosliwego oprogramowania.

Jako firma Asus nie mozemy niestety wspierac innych niz oryginalna wersji Androida, dlatego ewentualne modyfikacje przeprowadzane przez uzytkowników sa robione tylko i wylacznie na ich odpowiedzialnosc"

:(
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] bryanlim05:
Response from Asus global facebook

"ASUS

Official statement on bootloader for the Prime coming in a bit. Hang on tight guys.

In the mean time, relax.

Like · · Share · 38 seconds ago · "

https://www.facebook.com/ASUS

Response from Asus rep

"ASUS Some people posting on our wall about the bootloader need to take a break. They are about to pop =) -Mark, ASUS"
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tdrussell:
oh boy! This should be interesting.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Wordlywisewiz:
this is what we want YES and if they say no we will backlash more!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Magnesus:
I hope it's not the same response Polish Asus gave me (above). Waiting, relaxing... :)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Wordlywisewiz:
Hey at least it will be official and be in English lol
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] logicalextreme:
Psyched about the statement! I complained to Asus about the original back when I was considering buying it. They've got to do the right thing.

...unfortunately I can't buy one for another month. Damn.

Thank you to the OPs and all who've harassed Asus.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Wordlywisewiz:
Someone post the statement and not just the link as I can't get on Facebook at school
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Hawkysoft:
nothing to see here, data is expired >.< move along
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Lorthirk:
Again, absolutely agree. Unfortunately they decided to do lock it. So, we can do an unfruitful, endless whining against Asus or we can, once they got cleare that they WILL lose customers (and hence money) if they don't change things, give them some time to react. As, in a matter of fact, they're doing right now.

Peace to you.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] d1ez3:
Is it possible they just don't want people to put windows 8 on it because they want to sell a windows 8 only tablet?