Defeat purpose of Android OS
onikage
Newbie

A big thing about Android is that the source code is open allowing for customization and innovation. Motorola heavily locked the bootloader and set up an efuse of sorts to stop the phone from running uncertified software. They say this is to protect the large majority of users from messing up their phones with what they may not know enough about. But that kills the point of Android, and many users say "its my phone, lemme do what I want!" If they screw it up let them reinstall Android or even suffer consequences of risks they knowingly took. Its kinda ridiculous Motorola did this cuz it **bleep** off the hardcore Android fans that give Android its reputation and fanbase, even if they're trying to help the average user. But the average user doesn't know or care the bootloader's locked because they don't open up phones like that, why do them that service ands screw up more advanced users? Again I say let programmers run their risks if they wanna use their device how they want and let the average user stay in safe ignorance of even those possibilities.

For the record I didn't really plan on messing with my device like that personally, I'm not a programmer. I just think it should stay open for those who will. Thats a large part of how Android innovates.

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Re: Defeat purpose of Android OS
AZSALUKI
Legend

right! if peeps don't know how to unlock it then they aren''t in any trouble. and if they do know how, then they either know what they are doing....or at least know that they are risking it. LEAVE IT OPEN!!!! that's the attraction! if i wanted an iphone i'd get one!

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Re: Defeat purpose of Android OS
crb79
Specialist - Level 2

I can see both sides of the argument.  On one hand people want to be free to do what they want with their devices.  On the other, Motorola doesn't want to deal with warranty claims caused by people bricking their phones, etc.

 

The Android OS is indeed Open Source, but the hardware can be protected by the manufacturer.

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Re: Defeat purpose of Android OS
AZSALUKI
Legend

yes...but technically, they can void a warranty just for downloading an app if they wanted too. i'm sure all of the manufacturers are tired of explaining to us that we will not be getting a new phone since we bricked it. but this could start a bad trend. i do get their side of the argument....i just don't like it.

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Re: Defeat purpose of Android OS
supitsmike
Specialist - Level 2

AZSALUKI wrote:

yes...but technically, they can void a warranty just for downloading an app if they wanted too. i'm sure all of the manufacturers are tired of explaining to us that we will not be getting a new phone since we bricked it. but this could start a bad trend. i do get their side of the argument....i just don't like it.


This. If someone were try to bypass it by putting another specific RoM, it won't necesarily "brick" the phone as much as the bootloader will stop until it recieves the correct RoM to load.

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Re: Defeat purpose of Android OS
onikage
Newbie
They'll always need to explain to people, sure they're still telling some geniuses they can't cover underwater camera tests. Should be in the packing info certain modifications'll void warranties n if you're making any mods big enough you probably know the boundary and the risk. Should one take the risk they face possible conseauences but the choice should be theirs. Motorola had a right to protect their hardware I think it just lost then a selling point and a mode of innovation for the phone and OS.
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Re: Defeat purpose of Android OS
AZSALUKI
Legend

no custom rom's but they've already got this far:

http://www.androidcentral.com/droid-x-root-achieved

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Re: Defeat purpose of Android OS
realestatewill

I am not a real techie person, however The solution seems easy to me.  The ones that want to mess with their phones should have to get an unlock code from moto.  moto then could require model and serial number and a confirmation email that if they brick The phone it is their own fault.  Like I said I am not a real techie person so there probably is some fault with this idea. 

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