Asus Transformer Prime bootloader unlock now available

Asus has finally released the unlocked bootloader for its Transformer Prime tablet, allowing Android nuts to tinker with their tablets. But be warned -- activating the unlock app will void your warranty.

The bootloader unlock only works with the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime, also known as the TF201, and will only function on tablets running Android Ice Cream Sandwich. You can download the unlock tool from the Asus support website.

Asus came under fire following the Transformer Prime's release for sporting a locked-down bootloader, preventing the kind of meddling, modding and technological tomfoolery that Android addicts are wont to indulge in.

Following messages from irked fans, the Taiwanese company relented, and promised to unlock the Tegra 3-powered tablet. But there's a caveat -- Asus said that it originally locked down the Transformer Prime because of "content providers' requirement for DRM client devices to be as secure as possible".

As a result, if you unlock your Prime, your warranty will be void, and you'll be denied access to Google video rental.

So I wouldn't recommend the unlock for everyone. But I know there are loads of eager tinkerers out there who've been dying to modify Asus' latest creation. With that caveat in place, this is your chance.

The Transformer Prime, which slots into an optional keyboard dock to give you delightful physical keys, has been plagued with difficulties since it launched, but it looks like Asus may slowly be updating its way to a decent product.

My colleague Rich reckons gadgets shouldn't be arriving unfinished, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, as well as whether you'll be downloading the Prime bootloader unlock. Let me know in the comments, or over on our Facebook wall.