For some reasons, PC and iPhones are only class of devices that allows full system reimaging. Not even most Android devices have facilitations for that.

What is TeamWin TWRP? What is ODIN?

> What is TeamWin TWRP? What is ODIN?

They're great tools that are available for a tiny fraction of devices, usually only after jumping through hoops, thus failing to invalidate the claim

>> Not even most Android devices have facilitations for that.

(Emphasis mine)

Back when HTC existed you had to fill out a form with the manufacturer for an unlock before you could use anything like that.

Or wait for tools that could unlock your bootloader. Revolutionary S-OFF anyone?

If you have to wait 6 months for someone two just suddenly show up and tell you to short TP12 to TP21 within 12 seconds from starting patched leaked tool on your PC, that just don't count on so many levels.

It wasn't like that for the HTC Desire at least, back in 2011 when I rooted mine I simply ran the Revolutionary utility and it was unlocked.

And that's not distributed via any of their official channels. That's a hack.

Edit: my intention was there is no official way of doing it, and conveniently forgot to say so in my original comment. That was unfair on my side, sorry.

"Attachment: [Official][Stock][Leaked]FFR31_b11_r2134_9K432_RedBoot_12.345_20250917.bin.7z (96 MB)" doesn't count.

I feel like I'd actually would value the blog author's car _more_ after the modifications. Well at the moment it would be either neutral or slightly positive (the author has demonstrated what's possible), but if any extra functionality would be added, I'd be a happy camper.

The author's car (where you presumably have some assurance the firmware on the device is what is claimed? Sure.

A random car from a 2nd hand car lot with a mystery custom firmware? Oh hellllllll no.

This only add value if you assume there are no bad actors. I'd bet $100 if this becomes common, 2nd hand car lots will sell access to install creepy tracking firmware on all cars that pass through their hands.

I agree I’d like to made aware of any such changes made by previous owners, but I pretty much consider the makers of the OEM Software as bad actors at this point.

> A random car from a 2nd hand car lot with a mystery custom firmware? Oh hellllllll no.

Just like any random car can have a $100 GPS tracker or spy microphone hidden which you won't locate without dismantling the entire car.

If someone wants to spy or be nefarious with a car I can think of many easier & cheaper ways than making custom firmware for the radio.

You often connect your phone to this system though, via cable or Bluetooth, so I can see a pretty simple attack vector here to enable being way more nefarious than just GPS tracking…

What's stopping me from uploading custom firmware that:

exfiltrates private information like contacts, SMS,etc..

sends premium rate SMS's/spam contacts

trackers

bitcoin miners

virus

adverts

etc...