ChevronWP7 Is No More – Free Windows Phone App Hub Upgrades Offered

Only two months after launching, ChevronWP7 stopped selling tokens back in January of this year. For all these past months since then, Windows Phone users seeking to use the unlock tool were anxiously awaiting for more tokens to become available. Guess what, now tokens will never be available as ChevronWP7 is closing down. Already!? Yeah, so much for that.

In the official statement posted by the ChevronWP7 team, they mention the whole thing was just an experiment anyway. They wanted to test if they could “supercharge the Windows Phone beginner/hobbyist community by removing the initial cost barrier (i.e. App Hub membership.) And second, to convert potential developers into published developers.” Apparently, they only achieved the less important beginner community boost, and not the conversion of potential developers. The ChevronWP7 team mentions the results only showed many users unlocking their devices for other reasons. Did they really think this would be used in any other way? The Microsoft and ChevronWP7 team therefore decided to close down the program.

The ChevronWP7 team assures the Windows Phone world that they are still exploring opportunities with Microsoft to at least still support the beginner/hobbyist community. As a thank you on behalf of the team and Microsoft, all paid ChevronWP7 Labs users will be offered a free upgrade to a one-year Windows Phone App Hub membership.

See below for free Windows Phone App Hub upgrade eligibility.

Upgrade offer for ChevronWP7 Labs customers: Conditions for ChevronWP7 Labs customers to receive a Microsoft App Hub Annual Membership at no cost

Microsoft is offering existing paid ChevronWP7 customers a complimentary upgrade to a Microsoft App Hub membership.

Here are the details of the offer:

1. ChevronWP7 paid customers can sign up to Microsoft App Hub for one year from supported countries or regions. (Note: Microsoft will only be able to support developers in countries or regions where payouts are supported, see list)
2. If a ChevronWP7 customer signs up, Microsoft will refund the first year’s registration fee via Credit Card charge reversal.
3. Conditions:

• ChevronWP7 customers need to register using the same email address they used to register for ChevronWP Labs service. This email address needs to be provided in the ‘personal details’ step of the App Hub registration.
• ChevronWP7 customers need to sign up within 60 days after April 13, 2012  or ChevronWP7 customers have signed up for App Hub on or after January 1^st 2012.
• Only one App Hub account per email will be refunded.

Go to the Microsoft App Hub registration page to signup: http://create.msdn.com/en-us/home/membership

FAQ

• How long does it take to receive a refund?
  All eligible refunds will be processed monthly 60 days after April 13, 2012. It may take up to 60 additional days for the refund to appear on your credit card statement.
• What will happen to the unlocks provided by ChevronWP7?
  Unlocks issued through the ChevronWP service will expire 120 days after April 13, 2012. If ChevronWP7 customers choose to sign up for the Microsoft App Hub membership, they will be able to re-unlock the phone after expiration.
• What if I’m in a country where Microsoft App Hub membership is not available?
  If you are in a country or region not covered by Microsoft App Hub (see list) there’s no possibility to take advantage of this offer at this time. However as Microsoft is adding new countries and regions regularly, ChevronWP7 customers might want to check back for expended availability to take advantage of the offer.
• Where can I get help if I have trouble to register?
  You can find help on the support page http://create.msdn.com/en-US/home/feedback  or for help with Registration and Account Sign In, send an email to apphub@microsoft.com