MS negotiates WP7 jailbreak withdrawal

Perhaps deciding that it lacked the appetite for a cat-and-mouse style brawl over the hacking of its new line of Windows Phone 7 devices, Microsoft has come up with a novel way of deterring hackers from cracking its OS.

Cnet reports that the platform holder has successfully convinced the creators of a tool that allowed users to jailbreak their Windows Phone 7 handset in return for a commitment to discussions about officially facilitating homebrew development on WP7”.

Writing on their blog, the developer of the ChevronWP7 tool stated: To fast-track discussions, we are discontinuing the unlocking tool effective immediately.”

Once installed, ChevronWP7 had allowed users to run homemade apps and software on any WP7 handset

With Microsoft facing the somewhat daunting task of tackling Apple head-on if it wishes to prosper in the mobile OS space, it perhaps believes that a thriving homebrew community could be a useful asset in the battle.

Last month it was reported that only 40,000 Windows Phone 7 devices were sold on the platform’s launch day.