Moto: Please don’t continue to ruin your Android devices by locking down the bootload

[JimMariner]

Motorola is currently enjoying a resounding comeback from the brink of death. The hardware they’re pumping out is awesome. It’s been awhile since consumers have actually wanted Motorola phones. A fair chunk of the new enthusiasm however is limited more to their Android line-up. That’s where the magic’s currently at. So it pains me to see them shooting themselves in the foot and limiting the usefulness of their newer devices.

The first DROID was a huge step for them. Not only in the simple fact that the hardware and debut of Android 2.0 was huge, but also because it is extremely easy to hack into the DROID and expand on it’s feature set even further. The European version, the Milestone, isn’t nearly as “useful”, thanks to a locked bootloader. For those of you whom aren’t familiar with the Android rooting scene, an unlocked bootloader is essential for getting into the recovery partition and having your way with the devices. But Motorola is moving to all-locked bootloaders. It started with the Milestone and has now popped up on their latest device, the Droid X.

It’s a shame really, because now the ability to tweak the Droid X has diminished. Hell, developers are still trying to get around the locked bootloader on the Euro-Droid (Milestone) so that people can fully enjoy their phones. And you know what, the Milestone and Droid are nearing the end of their “mainstream lives”. Other new devices with better specs are swooping in to soak up the limelight.

Moto’s stance has been rationalized out of a cookie-cutter PR book: It’s more for “safety” and IP purposes than anything. Ok, awesome. How about you leave it unlocked and then go after those who break such IP rights and do other nasty illegal things. From what I’ve seen over the last year, there hasn’t really been any grave danger to rooting your device or the so called “security risks” that come with it.

So consider this an “on my knees, begging and pleading” to Moto: STOP removing reasons for me to want your phones. Doing so will push me towards other manufacturers, ultimately causing you to head back towards the cliff where you once were not too long ago. Any other Android users feel the same?

by Mike @ gadgetsteria.com
Posted July 11th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
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[MiXoLoGiSt]

Yeah they shouldnt lock down the bootloader but sadly i think they are going to leave it that way.

[thacrownprince]

Right on. I totally agree. Plus, one of the reason the Motorola Droid sold so well was because people enjoyed installing custom roms. I pre-ordered my Droid X at Best Buy, but now I don't know what to do. I really enjoyed being able to install new ROMs and getting the latest Android OS before it is officially released to the device after delay (the whole 2.1 fiasco with the Motorola Droid).

[Garemlin]

I would think it is more VZW behind it than Moto.

[Martin030908]

Unfortunate to see as well, since this is the biggest thing (for me) with the original Droid.

[titans]

Seeing as how it might not even get root now as P3 and Miami are saying, Not sure if I'm getting this phone anymore.

[Martin030908]

Seeing as how it might not even get root now as P3 and Miami are saying, Not sure if I'm getting this phone anymore.

One of the reasons, if not the big reason, I'm holding off and gonna wait til the X has had some time in the public before I run out to buy one.

[titans]

One of the reasons, if not the big reason, I'm holding off and gonna wait til the X has had some time in the public before I run out to buy one.

I might just wait for the supposed HTC Scorpion idk, Sense UI is tempting.

[Martin030908]

I might just wait for the supposed HTC Scorpion idk, Sense UI is tempting.

Whatever Moto's 2ghz phone is (or something that comes out this fall) will most likely get my money.....

[titans]

Whatever Moto's 2ghz phone is (or something that comes out this fall) will most likely get my money.....

Or I could just get the Incredible if I wanted to I guess. Lol.