An email to the VZW CEO

[andylulzyou]

And like you said Geeks Phone is one you completely customize yourself, I proposed a phone with similar specs to the Thunderbolt just with completely unlocked software.

I have no idea why you felt it prudent to bring the $1000 phone into this seeing as I don't see any Thunderbolt's being sold for that much money.

 

[teh_g]

The main point here is that we should band together to try to make change! Sure, I can talk to this one guy at VZW, but will it do anything? If ten people talk to VZW, would that show them something?

We can't just give up because we don't have a good chance. We can't quit because it is going to be hard.

 

[armedmonkey]

You can do what you want. talking to verizon won't change anything so you were just wasting your time instead of using it to try to break the bootloader.

Dictated while driving so excuse errors

 

[teh_g]

You can do what you want. talking to verizon won't change anything so you were just wasting your time instead of using it to try to break the bootloader.

Dictated while driving so excuse errors

What if I don't want to break the law by cracking the bootloader? Even then, trying to crack the bootloader is not a fruitful effort, since it is basically going to take well beyond our lifetimes.

 

[pc747]

No one is cracking the bootloader, many have tried and have failed. OP continue what you do but be willing to follow through even if it means not buying a motorola device until it is unlockable.

 

[teh_g]

No one is cracking the bootloader, many have tried and have failed. OP continue what you do but be willing to follow through even if it means not buying a motorola device until it is unlockable.

I have every intention to do it. I am going to call the representative again on Friday if I haven't heard anything back from him.

 

[armedmonkey]

More chance with the BL than getting moto to put out. Its cheaper for them to play nice and answer your emails with thoughtful sighs than it would be for them to support all the broken phone emails later. Even if they say it voids warranty.

There have been people before the OP who have made such emails and had the same teasing responses. The tech guy probably wanted info bc he has no idea what a bootloader is himself

 

[DJxPanda]

Actually sir there is some legal action here. I believe that Its been determined by the courts that full phone modification is legal and that companies can not do something to the hardware to prevent such modding. Unfortunately apple found a loophole where they can void ur warranty. That os perfectly within their rights. But what moto is doing by locking the bootloader is in direct conflict with the decision made by the courts. They can say its due to the interest of the end user, but honestly, a large majority of people are rofoting their phones and such anyways. Regardless. Legal action is legitimet, and a class action law suit is perfect. There have been a ton of more ridiculous law suits before, this one would actually be a serious one.

It wasn't determined by a court. The Library of Congress amended the DMCA with a provision that affords the end user of the purchased cell phone, and other listed devices, the inherent right to hack the device without fear of prosecution.

No where does it state the device manufactures has to make it easy.

Please go read the full ruling http://www.copyright.gov/1201/2010/RM-2008-8.pdf if you would like to understand the full ramifications.

BTW "unlocking" cell phones was allowed from 2006 thru 2009 as a "test case" before final wording was drafted for the DMCA amendment.

Also Apple should be thanked for this change in the DMCA. Their pending lawsuits is what forced the change in the DMCA and the definition of Fair Use.

Ahh yes thats what it was. Yea I just couldnt remember. But uea ur right, but then if anything we can go for.. False advertising? Maybe. Itd be a stretch but mahbe

Sent from my DROIDX using DroidForums

 

[DJxPanda]

Look guys. The matter of fact is, HTC caved. If they caved, we can sure as hell try to get moto to cave. Just get enough people together, and it will work out. Whether we petition moto or Send them a ton of emails or whatever we do, get enough people behind it, it will happen. Ive read this entire damn thread and one big point was that we r a minority, well if a minority can get htc to release the source for the TB, then that same minority can at least make a valient effor to get moto to release the unlock keys.. See my point here?

Sent from my DROIDX using DroidForums

 

[Snow02]

Complain less, work more. Then go buy a bootloader-unlocked device. Be happy.

 

[Joneser2006]

As far as following the money, Blockbuster, Amazon, EA, Skype, and Verizon all benefit from the locked bootloader. Everyone has a hand in the cookie jar except the consumer. Nothing we do is going to change the game except the Benjies, the kind of lettuce us lil ole peons can only dream about.

 

[Joneser2006]

As many people have stated, no one makes money on the equipment. The real revenue streams come from service contracts and advertising. It wasn't the OG droid that brought Moto back, it was the marketing of the D1 that brought them back. The D1 wasn't really that great of a phone until the devs made it good. Only now, 2 years later, is the OS really refined. As long as advertisers know that we're going to get a workable product that they can slap their name on, they dictate what we'll get.

 

[teh_g]

Hmm, should this be moved to the General Discussion section? This isn't really DX specific...

Also, it looks like some other people have talked to executive support. Maybe we can make our voices heard?

 

[armedmonkey]

As far as following the money, Blockbuster, Amazon, EA, Skype, and Verizon all benefit from the locked bootloader. Everyone has a hand in the cookie jar except the consumer. Nothing we do is going to change the game except the Benjies, the kind of lettuce us lil ole peons can only dream about.

We can just root our phones and get rid of their junk. That has nothing to do with a locked bootloader man.

 

[a44kaliburll]

Sorry guys...back from a few day break!

I dont know I guess you are right about the startup capital being the biggest hurdle to jump but it seems like we are constantly told that no its not possible and we are wasting our time trying to get this to work.

That geeksphone site is what I am talking about when I say create competition. And I didnt see a product for anywhere near 1k to purchase. I didnt look too hard.

Why is it that google helped us see a different light on the smart phone industry?--options.

Before the D1 verizon and blackberry and iphone made things and charged for them. What I am referring to is Navigation. It was a nice idea to have maps on our phones but cheap people would not want to purchase an additional fee just to have navigation. Google came out with "google maps mobile" and changed how that went for smart phones.

so maybe rather than make a full blown "competitive company" we made a company that is geared towards offering options?

Layout could look like this..

It would be geared towards our "small minority"

you buy a device...probably a standard device to start..but does not boot up with anything once you purchase it.

you are directed to a website, hosting a multitude of freely available roms.

If you want miui click here...if you want UD click here...if you want CM7 click here..

encourage individuals to make their own roms and host them freely on your website for people to enjoy.

Not only are we a phone selling company but we become a company that is like "open mic night". We would have tutorials of how to build roms, how to trouble shoot your device, and how to ensure all works handy dandy.

Everything could be based of the google android code because its free, and the only real hurdle for us to jump is getting devices, and hosting a site.

Because we are a small minority, startup capital wouldnt be THAT expensive...just more than I personally could afford.

Its not out of the realm of possibility...its just brainstorming. Now before you jump on here and say..."wont work, you're an idiot" tell me why it wont work, tell me what you think would do better..because simply stating that "I dont know what I am talking about and that my ideas are crap" is just stating the inability to think out side of the box...

only thing I ask is that if you disagree...its ok...dont be disrespectful...and state what you think would work.

a simple "never gonna happen" is not worth while.