I'm new to Android (I'll have my Atrix tomorrow), and hearing all this concern about the locked bootloader has me questioning what an unlocked bootloader would actually get us. On a PC or Mac, a bootloader would let you install multiple OS's to your system and load any of them at will. It's useful, but I wouldn't be upset if I couldn't do it. I think I must be missing something. On Android how does this differ? I noticed there's already at least one custom ROM (GingerBlur) available and working on the Atrix, which means we can already run custom ROMs... What else is there? If the bootloader were unlocked, what more would that actually get us?
that rom, from my understanding (fairly new to android and waiting for my atrix too) is only a pseudoROM that doesnt actually change the OS only edits the framework of the current one. a locked bootloader means we cannot run custom/vanilla versions of android and so we are stuck waiting for AT&T or Bell or motorola to decide when we can update to the latest version of android.
without a locked bootloader we are stuck being a pawn in 3 big companies' game of chess.
Kernels my friend. Allow us to toggle art" 4g" manually. And others like enable hardware to use features like 1080p record. And able to get (which is currently limited to 2 points of recognition touch) ore like 5 or 10 ( to use the hardware fully)
Kernels, which are the meat of any good rom. It allows us to make ROMS that allow for overcpocking, wiping the slatefor a fresh, lean build, and many other things.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA Premium App
like has been said, basically you are correct, in that it lets us load custom OS's and ROMs
as someone above me said the ROM released now is only a pseudoROM, and only edits existing framework. an unlocked bootloader would allow us to load fresh version of Android without any bloat and allow us to overclock the already impressive processor in the Atrix.
Basically - unlocked bootloader = unlocked near infinite potential for the Atrix.
When you think of the possibility of an unlocked bootloader combined with the Atrix hardware it's easy to forget what you already have in hand. I don't think that there is any phone out (custom rom or not) that is ALL AROUND better than the Atrix is right out the box. The bootloader will get cracked but until then enjoy your 3k quadrant scores, great GPS, screen, and webtop.
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I've been searching and searching and can't find anything where this question is really touched on, at least not from Google.
Basically the thing I'm looking at is this. I come from a Droid X which had and still has a locked bootloader. I was always under the impression that this means two things:
1) MUST use signed updates
2) Cannot use custom kernels
And based on those two things my understanding was that you can theme and modify some small framework and /system stuff, but could never truly update the phone like you could with an unlocked bootloader.
This is where I'm confused. So we have unlocked bootloaders on our Thunderbolts which allows us to flash unsigned zips. Cool. But how does this affect future versions of Android? Like our current Gingerbread roms, aren't they based off of a leaked RUU? What would happen if let's say, Gingerbread is the final OS Upgrade we get from Verizon. How will the next major update to Android be loaded to us?
Do the developers have the ability to port new versions of Android without these leaked OTA's? Or do we rely on the OTA's that include new Android OS versions to progress? Thanks
When Verizon sends out updates our Devs can take them and edit them to work with rooted users. Thats why you will see things come from (I think his name is football) who gives us the updates from Verizon and then our Devs modify them to keep our root privileges. If you are rooted on a custom ROM tho you wont receive OTA.
Thank you for the response. I understand that part, but really what I'm trying to find out is:
Thunderbolt is on Froyo -> Verizon WILL update us to Gingerbread via OTA
Had Verizon NOT updated us to Gingerbread, would devs be able to take us there thanks to an unlocked bootloader? Or would the phone forever be doomed to use Froyo?
Take that principle and apply it to whatever comes after Gingerbread, because I'm pretty sure 2.3 will be the last major OS update this phone gets officially.
i cant give you a sure answer but BAMF has made sense 3.0 work on our phones and that is never releasing as an OTA i would assume if the next version of android comes to any 1ghz phones or well any htc phones someone will find a way just allot more work and more time.
Well thats basically all I needed to know. As long as we have an unlocked bootloader and a dev community willing to work on it, people can basically port any new versions of the OS even from other phone updates.
I just fear the idea of EOL and no more future OS updates.
Good way to answer your question is to take a look at the d1 and even the eris. They are both eol yet i know for sure the d1 has gingerbread, and i believe the eris does also.
sent from my bolt
I am coming from a long line of HTC phones, never had a motorola phone. Always had CWM on my phones, etc...
Correct me if im wrong.
With a locked down booatloader, we can only have roms based on OTA updates?
Custom roms are not possible because of locked bootloader?
One can not use the source of ICS, GB, or froyo and create a rom for a device with a locked bootloader?
AOSP (CM) won't work with a locked bootloader because it has a custom kernel, and a custom kernel needs an unlocked bootloader?
So what are the current rumors regarding the bootloader unlock(not bootstrap)?
Will there be an unlock tool from moto or are we waiting for some kind of exploit?
I am in the last few days where i can return this device for something else.
I do not want to be stuck with a locked down device. (looking at the Rezound forum..there seems to be more hope)
your thoughts...
thanks.
Good question! Wished I new all the answers.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using xda premium
Droidel said:
I am coming from a long line of HTC phones, never had a motorola phone. Always had CWM on my phones, etc...
Correct me if im wrong.
With a locked down booatloader, we can only have roms based on OTA updates?
Custom roms are not possible because of locked bootloader?
One can not use the source of ICS, GB, or froyo and create a rom for a device with a locked bootloader?
AOSP (CM) won't work with a locked bootloader because it has a custom kernel, and a custom kernel needs an unlocked bootloader?
So what are the current rumors regarding the bootloader unlock(not bootstrap)?
Will there be an unlock tool from moto or are we waiting for some kind of exploit?
I am in the last few days where i can return this device for something else.
I do not want to be stuck with a locked down device. (looking at the Rezound forum..there seems to be more hope)
your thoughts...
thanks.
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Click to collapse
#1 - No, there is a workaround called 2nd-init that lets us change everything except the kernel. Just look at DROID X/2/2 GLOBAL.
#2 - Custom roms are very possible either way, even without 2nd-init
#3 - If you can add 2nd-init, then you may. otherwise you need to work backward or forward from moto firmwares.
#4 - Cyanogen uses 2nd-init on devices with locked bootloaders. Some features require kernel changes (2D hardware acceleration for example) otherwise, it will work fine.
#5 - Rumor is that unlock is coming with ICS for international devices, not VZW though.
#6 - See above. VZW will need an exploit or an edit of the international unlock.
Someone has been reading the blogs.
And I see it in the comments all the time... OMG LOCKED BOOTLOADER I WANTED TO FLASH A ROM.
Although I'm not seeing anything yet, but give it time, it will happen.
Hello everyone, I have just received my beloved white X10a after letting a friend of mine borrow it for almost a year now. I know how to flash ROMS and know some (although very little) about Android tweaking and things like that. Coming back to the X10 forums it seems that the bootloader has finally been unlocked!
I have not unlocked it yet and I am running Donut 2.2 with XperiaS look along with ThKernel 2.6.29. I am enjoying the smoothness and average battery life (this battery is super old so I imagine that it's lasting capabilities have diminished a little). Anyway, I don't use my X10 for much, just a few games like Draw Something, but mostly I like reading manga or e-books and forums. I edit a good bit of pictures as well.
So, what I want to know is am I going to benefit from unlocking my bootloader? I know unlocking it allows so much more control over your phone but since there are not many devs still here in the X10 forums, is it even worth it? Will I benefit from anything by using kernels for unlocked bootloaders with my phone usage? I have never overclocked a phone because I really had no need for it but is it safe to use an overclock-capable kernel but use the native voltage at all times?
Hey pal yeah it is basically as u said there a few nice kernels about now with oc, built in recoveries (xrec, cwm and bootmenu-kernel booting) and many other tweaks and things. Its well worth doin as with flashtool its so easy to do it just one button. There are kernels for locked bl i think but dont know if they as good never used one (i unlocked as soon as the laser released it) id say personally do it
Sent from my X10i using XDA
Locked bootloaders allows you to have custom kernels too, but they're not as advanced as the custom kernels for unlocked bootloaders. If you have a custom kernel that you have in mind to use and it has specific patches/fixes/additions that's only for unlocked bootloader (which you need), you should unlock your bootloader.
Plus, some ROMs requires you to have unlocked bootloaders (i.e. FXP CM7/CM9) as they require their own custom kernels (which has patches/fixes/additions that can only be used/made/added with unlocked bootloaders).
Furthermore, with unlocked bootloader, it allows you to use BOTH custom kernels which were designed for locked and unlocked bootloader thanks to D's BootMan (but you still need to use the recommended kernel for the ROM that you're going to use).
Give it sometime, think about it. Once you've decided, take your action. And make sure to test your USB connection first as if they're broken, you might ended up getting your USB disconnected while in the process of unlocked bootloader (which will result in bricking the phone).
I really appreciate the insight guys.
Im not an expert.
I heard that google increased the security in Lollipop to such a high level that hackers must post modified kernels for each new app and requires constant high profile hacker support. So only very popular phones like Nexus & Galaxy S series can have any chance of rooting and modding in the future!!
Is this all true?
Are we doomed? Android moving towards iphone style?
No. From what I read you need a custom kernel to get and keep root due to new security restrictions in place. However we are in a catch 22 for a while since flashing a kernel usually requires root in itself so if the boot loader is locked and no one can unlock it we might be screwed.
Damn.
OEMs will surely lock the bootloader. They dont want people flashing stuff.
Is it true that the Nexus devices can always be rooted and their bootloaders are always unlocked?
So we must stick to nexus?
I speak for the people on versions 3.2.7 3.2.8 4.1.x and 4.5.x my question is will there be any way in the foreseeable future of uniting the people below 3.2.7 with those that are higher and only seem to have access to nexus 4.2.2 safestrap edition 1.0.1 pretty much all versions of both tablets (except Saturn) have been rooted but they are unable to do much due to the bootloader incompatibilities. Wish auto update was not a feature.
I am hoping for the longest and most prospererous future for our device. I am very sorry if this is spam or irrelevant.
What can we expect to see coming in the future for new bootloader devices?
No one knows.
it would be nice though
darn i wish i could develop roms but i dont have the time (college)
LittleGreenSony said:
darn i wish i could develop roms but i dont have the time (college)
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Click to collapse
The thing is, it's not just about someone creating a compatible ROM or unlock. Otherwise, we would've already seen some development for the newer firmware versions. The sole reason for why these things are possible in the first place lies in exploits. No one has been able to discover any holes in the system yet that make these devices vulnerable enough for "attacks" like allowing you to replace the stock recovery or kernel.
I'm kinda bored with nexus safestrap.
Is there anything that can be done with fastboot, can we use that to unlock the bootloader similar to how Sony Xperias get unlocked?
No, completely different devices and software and everything else. Only similar thing is the base of Android, and even then, both Amazon and Sony modified the base(Amazon more so)