Very interesting article from XDA.
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/failure-to-launch-htcs-bootloader-policy/
Apparently HTC are (stupidly) going down the 'lock it down tight' route. Probably a good reason not to get an HTC next time around.
I imagine that it's down to branding and differentiation, in a Apple type way. HTC make very bland looking phones. They follow the grey plastic iPhone like slab effect, with the exception of the Legend. What makes HTC phones instantly identifiable is Sense. As soon as I see the screen of a phone I can tell if it's an HTC from the interface. But as soon as we root an HTC and install stock, then the uniqueness is lost and the phone becomes a generic smartphone.
Apple make billions of $ by creating an 'ecosystem' (god I hate that phrase). They control the whole smartphone experience from hardware through software to the way apps look and feel. Apple have created the 'Apple Experience' which millions of people love. I get the impression that HTC are trying to do likewise. They're trying to build a platform of their own on top of Android where through Sense you get a consistent and unique experience. HTC provide features unique to Sense as well as a growing number of built in apps/widgets. They integrate social networking into their platform with the Friends feature. I imagine they're hoping to create smart phones that are as unique and individual as the iPhone. Allowing their phones to be routed and *******ised with all manner of different ROM's, themes, launchers and such like goes completely against the concept of one distinct look and feel to HTC.
If this is true then it's a dumb idea and it won't work. But I'm sure the amount of money HTC nakew won't take much of a dent if and when Cyanogen etc walk away from HTC. It's sad but not exactly surprising.
http://www.facebook.com/HTC/posts/10150307320018084
Interesting update, assuming it's genuine
It appears to be. I'm not surprised tbh as HTC has a *massive* developer following so it would have been suicide imo to go down that root(!).
El Reg is reporting (http://www.reghardware.com/2011/05/27/htc_bootloader_unlock/) on the latest policy change now as well.