Locked Bootloader?

[loki993]

ok so back to the bootloader......

Motorola has promised to unlock the bootloaders in "future software releases" starting in late 2011. although we havent seen the bootloaders being unlocked, we havent seen any software updates at all, so I'm not going to be too quick to judge. the only bootloader that is unlocked currently is the motorola xoom. this information, along with the files that unlock/relock the bootloader for the Moto Xoom are found here: MOTODEV > Products > Device Software

But on the other hand, there is a good chance that verizon will not allow most, if not all devices in the future to be unlocked. but it may not be that hard to unlock the vzw version of a RAZR, for example, if the international versions are unlocked

You say that but it doesn't hold water as soon as you bring up the Gnex, T-bolt, Rezould and any other HTC phone that can be unlocked. Verizon somehow allows these, but for some unknown reason wont allow Moto to do it? Doesn't make sense. Someone, Moto probably, just doesn't want to put forth the effort for whatever reason. Sucks, Id love to have an unlocked bootloader, but Id like a keyboard more.

 

[The Robot Cow]

Correct me if im wrong. I think theres a difference from when you buy your phone and what you do to it after. Verizon may have the phones lock down when you buy it from them(or whoever you buy it new from), but after should be fair game. Like what Htc allows you to do. Their phones are locked down when you first acquire them but then they give you an option to void the warranty and open it up.

I think what it all comes down is to is money. Companies dont wanna throw away potential profit by replacing phones that people accidentally brick and don't know how to bring it back from the dead.

Just my $.02

 

[bishoy]

You say that but it doesn't hold water as soon as you bring up the Gnex, T-bolt, Rezould and any other HTC phone that can be unlocked. Verizon somehow allows these, but for some unknown reason wont allow Moto to do it? Doesn't make sense. Someone, Moto probably, just doesn't want to put forth the effort for whatever reason. Sucks, Id love to have an unlocked bootloader, but Id like a keyboard more.

I am going to use the Droid RAZR as an example. the non-US versions of the droid RAZR have unlockable bootloaders. see here Non-US DROID RAZR phones will have unlockable bootloader | Android Community

and here Motorola Offers Unlocked Bootloader Tool For Droid RAZR, Verizon Removes It | TechCrunch

and here Motorola RAZR will have a bootloader unlock solution for international versions | Android Central

and here (read the update on the bottom) Motorola DROID RAZR: Locked bootloader and battery is not removable | Android Community

and here Non-US DROID RAZR phones will have unlockable bootloader | Android Community

and here Motorola commits to Ice Cream Sandwich and unlocked bootloaders | Android Community

 

[loki993]

I am going to use the Droid RAZR as an example. the non-US versions of the droid RAZR have unlockable bootloaders. see here Non-US DROID RAZR phones will have unlockable bootloader | Android Community

and here Motorola Offers Unlocked Bootloader Tool For Droid RAZR, Verizon Removes It | TechCrunch

and here Motorola RAZR will have a bootloader unlock solution for international versions | Android Central

and here (read the update on the bottom) Motorola DROID RAZR: Locked bootloader and battery is not removable | Android Community

and here Non-US DROID RAZR phones will have unlockable bootloader | Android Community

and here Motorola commits to Ice Cream Sandwich and unlocked bootloaders | Android Community

I've seen all that too, but it doesn't change the fact that just about every other manufacturer allows you to unlock your phone or has an easily defeatable bootloader. Moto is the only manufacturer that does not.

Why would Verizon allow everyone else to do it but not Moto? Who is it then?

 

[debdroid1a]

I thought Verizon does not allow it. Doesn't it void your warrenty?

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[Stelv]

I've seen all that too, but it doesn't change the fact that just about every other manufacturer allows you to unlock your phone or has an easily defeatable bootloader. Moto is the only manufacturer that does not.

Why would Verizon allow everyone else to do it but not Moto? Who is it then?

Yes +1. I think Verizon said to Moto we will give you a deal on advertising if you continue to lock the bootloader. And Moto said sure we will not only lock it, we will encrypt it because we are trying to penetrate the business sector. Otherwise Verizon and Moto are working together to screw us modders.

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[TC_Mits]

Yes +1. I think Verizon said to Moto we will give you a deal on advertising if you continue to lock the bootloader. And Moto said sure we will not only lock it, we will encrypt it because we are trying to penetrate the business sector. Otherwise Verizon and Moto are working together to screw us modders.

the more i think about it all boot loaders are "locked" motorolas are encrypted which make it especially annoying...
i think some of the encryption stuff especially on the droid 4 has alot to do with them wanting to show off a very secure and powerful phone for businesses. i know in the past many companies just didnt trust android and blackberry was it. now it is looking like the end to blackberry and maybe the rise of the droids (cue dramatic starwars music) in the business world.
...

The business sector will not stay with any Android phone unless the looming malware issue is dealt with effectively. Security breaches brought MS to its knees at one point. Heads up, Google.

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Virus-Malware-Android-Apps-Malicious,news-13225.html

http://www.extremetech.com/computing/110061-eff-reverse-engineers-carrier-iq?obref=obinsite

Market apps aren't checked at all! How secure will a company feel behind military-grade file encryption, if it also knows that even its 'Carrier' has the 'IQ' to install a keylogger? If vzw didn't use that one it was only cuz it's got another one it likes better.


Perspective instantiates reality.
( By DX w/DF app. )

 

[Stelv]

I know, Moto isn't going to get anywhere with business customers. They need to stop encrypting the bootloader.

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[loki993]

I know, Moto isn't going to get anywhere with business customers. They need to stop encrypting the bootloader.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

Or at least give an option. Give V$ 2, one encrypted and one not. If you want the non encrypted or unlocked one you goto the V$ store and the can flash it for you. that way people that needed it would have it and wouldn't be able to get it off, company phone just tell V$ these cant be flashed with he different bootloader, and people that wanted it could get it. Now would V$ ever sign off on something like that, of course not, but it would solve any of those problems.

 

[debdroid1a]

Or at least give an option. Give V$ 2, one encrypted and one not. If you want the non encrypted or unlocked one you goto the V$ store and the can flash it for you. that way people that needed it would have it and wouldn't be able to get it off, company phone just tell V$ these cant be flashed with he different bootloader, and people that wanted it could get it. Now would V$ ever sign off on something like that, of course not, but it would solve any of those problems.

In my company, the managers go and get the phones themselves. So if a business doesn't buy the phone direct, then the employee could get one unlocked. And maybe not even realize it. Trust me. There's a manager here that I've helped with his Android phone and I'm just a secretary.

 

[debdroid1a]

The business sector will not stay with any Android phone unless the looming malware issue is dealt with effectively. Security breaches brought MS to its knees at one point. Heads up, Google.

Android Malware Up 427 Percent Since July

EFF reverse engineers Carrier IQ | ExtremeTech

Market apps aren't checked at all! How secure will a company feel behind military-grade file encryption, if it also knows that even its 'Carrier' has the 'IQ' to install a keylogger? If vzw didn't use that one it was only cuz it's got another one it likes better.


Perspective instantiates reality.
( By DX w/DF app. )

I think businesses will just go to iPhones if they are really worried. I personally don't android to change right now.

And I'm not sure what locked boatloader (the topic of this discussion) has to do with malware. Could you explain it to me simply? As I said in the above post, I'm just a secretary. Thanks in advance.

 

[TC_Mits]

I think businesses will just go to iPhones if they are really worried. I personally don't android to change right now.

And I'm not sure what locked boatloader (the topic of this discussion) has to do with malware. Could you explain it to me simply? As I said in the above post, I'm just a secretary. Thanks in advance.

I'm sorry, did I hit a nerve? Let me suggest, ever so gently, that my post was as close to the topic as the two posts I quoted -- maybe your first paragraph, as well.

IF the link from encryption to business sales is valid, then so are questions about the viability of vzw and Moto in that market. If viability fails, then in that context, encryption is moot. The vulnerability of Android to malware, of course, bears directly on that viability. Logically speaking...


Perspective instantiates reality.
( By DX w/DF app. )

 

[debdroid1a]

No you didn't hit a nerve and you didn't answer the question.

If the phone is locked business have less to worry about maleware then if their employees tries to unlock it (root too) and cause more maleware problems. If its unlocked there seems to be more problems.

Maybe Moto is waiting to see how the Nexus is doing. And its not doing good. On another board people are hesitant to give it a try because of the negativ reviews. Maybe those who do have it and love it with no problems need to post on the web. Companies will think locked is the way to go. Less problems.

So if this phone is aimed at businesses so what.

A locked boatloader won't stp me from using a phone.

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[Stelv]

The GNex is having issues because its a Samsung. All the problems it is having are common to most of the Samsung devices I have owned. Its not because its an unlocked developer phone though, its because its a Samsung....and from my experience they cut corners on some aspects of their devices. They are not of the same quality as Htc and Moto.

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[Stelv]

And locked bootloader is not to prevent malware directly to businesses. They just want companies to have a false sense of security. It's something they can use as a sales pitch. It will not work though if a company thinks that the android market has some malware threats. Motorola makes great devices but they are very bad at business.

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