In conjunction with the release of its recent smartphones, both HTC and Samsung have released the kernel source codes for the devices on Friday. The kernel source codes are for the international variants of the HTC One and Galaxy S4. The specified Galaxy S4 devices are model GT-I9500 and GT-I9505, both unlocked. Model SGH-1337M for Virgin Mobile Canada was also specified. The GT-I9500 model of the Samsung Galaxy 4 features the Exynos Octa processor and model GT-I9505 runs the Snapdragon 600 processor from Qualcomm.
The HTC One was just recently released and the Galaxy S4 hasn't even made it into the hands of all prospective buyers yet. Kernel source code releases let developers work on tweaking and cooking up custom ROMS and also develop custom kernels for the smartphones. International device owners can expect hacks, roots and modifications in no time.
For the U.S. HTC and Galaxy S4 smartphones, the kernel source codes should be on the way soon, within a few weeks. Although reports suggest that some developers have already chosen not to offer support for the Galaxy S4. Many wireless carriers, like Verizon, are making ROM development difficult by locking the bootloaders, which need to be unlocked for third party development. Bootloaders work as security for the phone and scan and verify the software. When a bootloader is encrypted, it's considered locked and restricts custom firmware ROMs from being installed into the device.
There's no confirmation or denial from custom firmware developer CyanogenMod yet, not until the device actually makes it into retail. It was rumored that CyanogenMod would not support the Galaxy S4, but that's all it was, a rumor. Should Cyanogen decide to pass on providing support for the Galaxy S4, perhaps other developers will work with the device instead. In order to work around the locked down bootloaders, developers may have to create a custom unlocker.
As Android Police reported, the carrier branded Galaxy S4 devices will have individual kernel source releases running different builds.The kernel source codes for the Galaxy S4 GT-I9500, GT-I9505 and SGH-1337M were published on Samsung's Open Source Release Center. The HTC One kernel source was published on HTC's Developer Center website.
