Getting unlocked bootloaders from Motorola, a new tactic.

Getting unlocked bootloaders from Motorola, a new tactic. - Motorola Droid RAZR

I believe most people who start these threads, petitions, etc have good intentions but continue to travel down the same failed paths.
No matter how many times we rage against the machine or wave our cyber-fists in the air Big Corporations like Motorola are not going to unlock their bootloaders unless the federal government forces them to obey Block 4 laws.
Our wonerful Congressmen(women) aren't going to do a thing about making Moto unlock the bootloaders because they have no clue what a bootloader is or does. Hell, most of them need their grandchildren to set the clocks on their VCR's. And they have VCR's because they don't want to embrace that DVD fad.
A solution to force every cellphone equipment manufacturer and wireless carrier to unlock bootloaders.....
Gain public support and embarrass Congress into doing their job.
How you ask??
Here is a good start. The federal government mandates that all wireless carriers and wireless equipment manufacturers make smartphones accessible to the disabled.
Now ask yourselves, especially you Dev's, how a locked bootloader hampers programmers abilities to fully integrate accessibility software into a smartphone. How custom ROM's cannot be created for the hearing impaired, the low vision/legally blind, completely blind and also the physically handicapped. Sure there are pieces of software here and there that help to a certain extent but there is no integration and locked bootloaders not only hamper programmers but make it almost impossible for software to be created to give the disabled access. Even the ACLU might get interested if the Dev's of XDA can create a comprehensive and coherent statment supporting this stance. Mainstream media will pay attention to this topic because the handicapped = far better ratings than a relatively small group of programmers.
It's an election year folks, no politician wants to be labeled as ignoring the handicapped.

it's easier than all that. Tell Verizon to kiss your ass and move to another provider. Big Red is the reason for the locked BL.

MyEntityRemains said:
it's easier than all that. Tell Verizon to kiss your ass and move to another provider. Big Red is the reason for the locked BL.
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I switched to Verizon Wireless earlier this year because I needed the more reliable service in my area. And yes, that is an option for many but why go to a different carrier. Running to a different carrier does not solve the problem, it only avoids it until some other carrier does the same thing. Precedent needs to be set that consumers will not stand for carriers violating the law and doing whatever they please. Take up the fight and get bootloaders unlocked for all.

MyEntityRemains said:
it's easier than all that. Tell Verizon to kiss your ass and move to another provider. Big Red is the reason for the locked BL.
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Click to collapse
It's good when you have that option. For some of us it is not an option. I have tried AT&T and Sprint over the years and their phones are paper weights in my house. I would have to go outside my house looking for a spot to make a phone call. I see people doing that in my neighborhood frequently.
Sent from my A1_07 using xda premium
Sent from my A1_07 using xda premium

MyEntityRemains said:
it's easier than all that. Tell Verizon to kiss your ass and move to another provider. Big Red is the reason for the locked BL.
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Click to collapse
Oh so you mean that I who live in Europe with unbranded and unlocked Motorola phone should also suffer because the son of *****es carriers in USA wants to lock down their BL? Explain that for me.
PS. They can shove their dev edition up their arses

scottjb said:
It's good when you have that option. For some of us it is not an option. I have tried AT&T and Sprint over the years and their phones are paper weights in my house. I would have to go outside my house looking for a spot to make a phone call. I see people doing that in my neighborhood frequently.
Sent from my A1_07 using xda premium
Sent from my A1_07 using xda premium
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eyriiii said:
Oh so you mean that I who live in Europe with unbranded and unlocked Motorola phone should also suffer because the son of *****es carriers in USA wants to lock down their BL? Explain that for me.
PS. They can shove their dev edition up their arses
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There are many reasons people do not want to or cannot switch. There are also people in other countries with reasons to dislike the locked bootloaders. We don't need to argue the merits of unlocked bootloaders only join together in accomplishing the task. We must choose our battles wisely and pick a tactic that best suits the ultimate goal. Support from government officials, suppot from mainstream media and support from groups with large legal funds will give us a better chance of success. I am not a dev so I cannot compile the technical information and create a summary that can be easily understood by the average person. We need that person or persons.

Related

Petition for unlocked bootloader

We need your help to unlock all Motorola bootloaders.
Help us by signing the petition to achieve 7500 signatures.
http://www.change.org/petitions/motorola-mobility-inc-unlock-all-smartphone-bootloaders-2
Regards.

Have we not been over this 100 times already, its not up to the OM's it is the vendors.

Lol. Idiots will be idiots
Sent from my MB855 using XDA App

And that's why HTC and Sony Ericsson have been unlocking the bootloaders of their phones right?
You obviously don't have a clue so please stop replying nonsense!
Why don't you just show some support and sign the damn petition so that we can at least have a chance of finally being heard...
halfdriven said:
Have we not been over this 100 times already, its not up to the OM's it is the vendors.
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kniz said:
Lol. Idiots will be idiots
Sent from my MB855 using XDA App
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The answer to your post.
HTC is going to unlock bootloaders for their future devices. And that could lead to loosing partnership with many carriers. As for existing phones - here is what I've asked to motorola support:
Customer By Web Form (Artur Korobeynyk) 26/01/2012 04.19 PM
Hi! I've just purchased your Motorola Photon 4G device of a Sprint Carrier here in Ukraine. It is a used phone, but in my country I have no other option. Best of your devices (like Photon, some Droids) are not available officially here as those are bound to some US carriers. And I wanted Photon so much. I read somewhere that Motorola is capable of unlocking devices for use with any sim card with some specific activation code. If that is true, than how can I get this kind of service (of course I understand that it should not be free of charge)
[---001:001577:29164---]
Response Via Email (Adriana) 27/01/2012 12.33 PM
Customer Reference number:120127-003406
Dear Mr. Korobeynyk,
Thank you for contacting Motorola.
In response to your query, please note that Motorola is not unlocking devices, this network provider who locked the phone to their SIM cards should do this. You can contact them for unlocking code or you can try to contact repair center in Ukraine ( +380442963572 )
Kind regards,
Adriana
Motorola Mobility
+7 (499) 9228668

Beach_Head said:
And that's why HTC and Sony Ericsson have been unlocking the bootloaders of their phones right?
You obviously don't have a clue so please stop replying nonsense!
Why don't you just show some support and sign the damn petition so that we can at least have a chance of finally being heard...
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Click to collapse
HTC unclocked and had repercussions, one being Sprint never approved it.
The petition will get no where when aimed at OM's, if you really understood it you would focus on vendors. They set the requirements, one being they do not want rouge devices on their networks.
Halfdrivens "understanding" 1 Beach_Head 0

If that were true then why are they launching the Galaxy Nexus which has an unlockable/relockable bootloader?
I suggest you brush up on the subject a little more seeing as your "understanding" of it is a mis-understanding of it!
FYI, an unlocked bootloader won't do **** to the carrier or its network otherwise, Google wouldn't be doing it via their Nexus devices. And CM development would've stopped at version 1 instead of being at version 9 right now...
halfdriven said:
HTC unclocked and had repercussions, one being Sprint never approved it.
The petition will get no where when aimed at OM's, if you really understood it you would focus on vendors. They set the requirements, one being they do not want rouge devices on their networks.
Halfdrivens "understanding" 1 Beach_Head 0
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Click to collapse

halfdriven said:
HTC unclocked and had repercussions, one being Sprint never approved it.
The petition will get no where when aimed at OM's, if you really understood it you would focus on vendors. They set the requirements, one being they do not want rouge devices on their networks.
Halfdrivens "understanding" 1 Beach_Head 0
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Click to collapse
Dude, you spent more effort being a tool than just signing the petition (or not).

It most likely isn't Motorola but the carriers. In an article about the new Droid Razr Developer Edition which can be pre-ordered now, Moto states that "consumer version of the Droid Razr is heavily protected against third-party ROMs, which Motorola says is necessary in order to "continue meeting our carrier and regulatory obligations,".
If you aren't aware this DE version comes unlocked and supplied with no warranty. It is supposed to be coming to a carrier in the US in the future.
What this tells me is the manufacturers have no problem unlocking devices and the carrier determines whether it can be unlocked.
Just some food for thought.

CCallahan said:
It most likely isn't Motorola but the carriers. In an article about the new Droid Razr Developer Edition which can be pre-ordered now, Moto states that "consumer version of the Droid Razr is heavily protected against third-party ROMs, which Motorola says is necessary in order to "continue meeting our carrier and regulatory obligations,".
If you aren't aware this DE version comes unlocked and supplied with no warranty. It is supposed to be coming to a carrier in the US in the future.
What this tells me is the manufacturers have no problem unlocking devices and the carrier determines whether it can be unlocked.
Just some food for thought.
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Click to collapse
+1
tools (6bowmans, Beach_Head) take note

halfdriven said:
+1
tools (6bowmans, Beach_Head) take note
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Hey genius, if you had noticed, I thanked CCallahan for his comment. He and Beach_Head are at least adding differing opinions based on some facts. You (nor I for that matter) are not. Believe it or not, I tend to agree with you and CCallahan. However, Beach_Head has some valid points. Getting back to the OP, either sign the petition, or if not, provide some value in your response/rebuttal. That's all I have to say about that.

halfdriven said:
Have we not been over this 100 times already, its not up to the OM's it is the vendors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guess you missed my first post

dantonel said:
We need your help to unlock all Motorola bootloaders.
Help us by signing the petition to achieve 7500 signatures.
http://www.change.org/petitions/motorola-mobility-inc-unlock-all-smartphone-bootloaders-2
Regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jeez - do people still think that online petitions do anything?

willysp said:
Jeez - do people still think that online petitions do anything?
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Click to collapse
Maybe not but it for sure doesn't hurt anything to do it and if peeps want to spend some of their time working on it then why not.
I support anyone trying to make a change even if it doesn't result in much. At least it is showing some positive community movement.

Haha. Motorola are full of it. Why are Samsung selling so many phones on most networks? Motorola are milking the consumer so they don't have to go through the amount of returns Samsung have.
Is it morally wrong to make use of the unlocked bootloaders, brick your phone and claim warranty? Maybe but very low percentage do and this could be user repairable if they made their chips load USB loader in hardware as a complete backup.
Maybe also could have a hardware bootloader which loads boot information from nand like PC's. That would make them virtually unbrickable without hardware damage. Win win.
Moto just wanna lay excuses for more money.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Always take what Moto says with a grain of salt...
I was there when the first petition was made late 2010: Motorola Bootloader Groubal
We generated 11,303 signatures and Moto said they'd provide an unlock solution before the end of 2011.
It's 2012 now and nothing. That Razr DE phone is a slap in the face for everyone that relied on their promise for an unlock solution for their devices. Not to mention to the first adopters who bought the Razr when it launched and our now faced with the Maxx and that DE phone.
HTC and Sony Ericsson were taking the same heat and yet as early as May 2011, they had already launched their unlock solution. A solution that affected new and current devices at the time. So if it were really a carrier decision, wouldn't the carriers have had a field day when those solutions were announced?
And this year, Verizon, T-Mo, and AT&T still have HTC and Sony Ericsson phones in their line up. If a device with an unlocked bootloader would cause issues on their network, then why would they continue using devices from those manufacturers?
CCallahan said:
It most likely isn't Motorola but the carriers. In an article about the new Droid Razr Developer Edition which can be pre-ordered now, Moto states that "consumer version of the Droid Razr is heavily protected against third-party ROMs, which Motorola says is necessary in order to "continue meeting our carrier and regulatory obligations,".
If you aren't aware this DE version comes unlocked and supplied with no warranty. It is supposed to be coming to a carrier in the US in the future.
What this tells me is the manufacturers have no problem unlocking devices and the carrier determines whether it can be unlocked.
Just some food for thought.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All your scoreboarding and +1's prove nothing other than your ignorance on the subject matter.
If you're looking for a tool, look in front of the mirror...
halfdriven said:
+1
tools (6bowmans, Beach_Head) take note
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Click to collapse

kniz said:
Lol. Idiots will be idiots
Sent from my MB855 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
I know that you mean no harm, (let's not start an argument here), but some people don't realize that...

Signed.......... no matter the outcome. Took 5 seconds.

Petitions do work to some extent especially with the recent Stop SOPA/PIPA Campaign, however it only works with those who have money and are able to get enough media exposure. It never hurts to try.
I signed my digital John Hancock.

Hey Beach_Head, lets agree to disagree and move on. The discussion has been fun but like 6bowmans said were really not adding anything to the topic. Hope there are no hard feelings. My apologies to everyone.

Moto Does It Again!! (People are not gonna be happy)

Well, I hear the 2.3.5 update is coming for the MoPho. If you want to be able to flash custom roms, kernels, etc. you should read here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1620905 It appears if you flash this you may have the same issue the Electrify users had after they flashed 2.3.5.
Way to keep, I mean, break a promise Moto!
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!

I actually have 4G at my office and thats why unlocking has been a deal breaker for me. This is also the reason I wont buy another Motorola device. I bought this device, I own it. Motorola said they would unlock the bootloaders and now its pretty apparent they arent going to. I wont make the mistake of buying another Motorola phone. They need to just go back o Verizon and stay there.

LexLuger82 said:
<MOD EDIT>
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium
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Maybe. I guess I can consider myself lucky. I mean, IMHO, Moto's hardware is better than most. They are well built, my reception is top notch, and I do have an unlocked device.
The part that makes Moto suck is the software end. They said they would unlock things, but it appears this is not the case. And who's to say that Sprint doesn't have a hand in this, either? I mean, if we unlock, flash, etc. we are using our devices how WE want, not how THEY want.
Just saying..............
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!

Yeah,I kind of feel the same way.I was digging around in the ICS system dump for the Razr.I almost think id rather have AOSP ICS over what Moto offers,if its gonna look like the Razrs.With ICS,they have to "theme" the AOSP Holo theme,not rework it completely per Google.And looking through the apps,no more Universal Mail Box,my personal favorite.
FernBch said:
Maybe. I guess I can consider myself lucky. I mean, IMHO, Moto's hardware is better than most. They are well built, my reception is top notch, and I do have an unlocked device.
The part that makes Motor suck is the software end. They said they would unlock things, but it appears this is not the case. And who's to say that Sprint doesn't have a hand in this, either? I mean, if we unlock, flash, etc. we are using our devices how WE want, not how THEY want.
Just saying..............
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!
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Click to collapse

i love the hardware... seriously it's the best! i hate the locked bootloader. after this phone it's nothing but Nexus phones for me here on out.

For me, Motorola's superior radio is more important than the bootloader. I live out in the country, and I use US Cellular because the Big Four don't consider service to my neck of the woods to be profitable. Even so, US Cellular service with a Samsung or HTC means I have to put my phone in the windowsill to get reception. With Motorola, I can have the phone at my desk or in bed, or in the bathroom which is practically a Faraday cage, and still get calls and messages.
I thought Sprint was abandoning the Photon. Are they still doing so?
Also, thanks for the heads up. My brother has a Photon. I'll make sure he doesn't upgrade to 2.3.5. I've tried to get him to sign up here and learn how to change up his phone. Pretty sure he just has everything stock. (He lives in another state, I've never actually seen his phone.)

Give it time guys. Once Motorola has released their ics update and sprint stops supporting the moto(EOL catches up) then I see no reason why they wouldn't unlock it or at least give us north America at&t so I could "lose" my phone and get its replacement and continue to use this phone as a prepaid go phone after I get my upgrade
Sprints keeping it locked down because its still a high selling phone. You would figure they would want to keep there entire north American nation on their network as long as they are still selling this phone. Sounds like good business to me while also helping the people out that do actually travel the world and still able to use their only world phone to do so. Sprint is being smart with this phone. I would do the same if I were them and if anyone complained to me I would tell them "we gave you a world phone so you could travel. You want a phone you can't leave the US with in exchange for an unlocked bootloader then get one of our many other amazing androids with unlocked restricted to north America only. Either way were getting your money and so does Motorola"
This phone already has more to offer than most high end androids out there. Top notch radios, solid design, superb CPU with nvidia graphics technology, only sprint Android to be unlocked for other country's" it does not have 3D if you want that get the evo 3D.
Please people appreciate what Motorola and sprint has offered us and stop complain so much. Sure I hate that its still locked and i can't use it for At&t but I also understood this before I bought the phone and dealt with it for what it is. Everyone here seems to knows Motorola's past about promises but yet you still purchased this device anyway...
Sent from my I9300 using XDA

tsdeaton said:
Give it time guys. Once Motorola has released their ics update and sprint stops supporting the moto(EOL catches up) then I see no reason why they wouldn't unlock it or at least give us north America at&t so I could "lose" my phone and get its replacement and continue to use this phone as a prepaid go phone after I get my upgrade
Sprints keeping it locked down because its still a high selling phone. You would figure they would want to keep there entire north American nation on their network as long as they are still selling this phone. Sounds like good business to me while also helping the people out that do actually travel the world and still able to use their only world phone to do so. Sprint is being smart with this phone. I would do the same if I were them and if anyone complained to me I would tell them "we gave you a world phone so you could travel. You want a phone you can't leave the US with in exchange for an unlocked bootloader then get one of our many other amazing androids with unlocked restricted to north America only. Either way were getting your money and so does Motorola"
This phone already has more to offer than most high end androids out there. Top notch radios, solid design, superb CPU with nvidia graphics technology, only sprint Android to be unlocked for other country's" it does not have 3D if you want that get the evo 3D.
Please people appreciate what Motorola and sprint has offered us and stop complain so much. Sure I hate that its still locked and i can't use it for At&t but I also understood this before I bought the phone and dealt with it for what it is. Everyone here seems to knows Motorola's past about promises but yet you still purchased this device anyway...
Sent from my I9300 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't hold your breath. Moto has not unlocked any device in the past and the Photon will probably be no different. People have been begging for unlock for the first Droid X and a few others for quite some time.
It was taken away from Electrify users and now Photon users. It will not be given back.
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!

tsdeaton said:
Give it time guys. Once Motorola has released their ics update and sprint stops supporting the moto(EOL catches up) then I see no reason why they wouldn't unlock it or at least give us north America at&t so I could "lose" my phone and get its replacement and continue to use this phone as a prepaid go phone after I get my upgrade
Sprints keeping it locked down because its still a high selling phone. You would figure they would want to keep there entire north American nation on their network as long as they are still selling this phone. Sounds like good business to me while also helping the people out that do actually travel the world and still able to use their only world phone to do so. Sprint is being smart with this phone. I would do the same if I were them and if anyone complained to me I would tell them "we gave you a world phone so you could travel. You want a phone you can't leave the US with in exchange for an unlocked bootloader then get one of our many other amazing androids with unlocked restricted to north America only. Either way were getting your money and so does Motorola"
This phone already has more to offer than most high end androids out there. Top notch radios, solid design, superb CPU with nvidia graphics technology, only sprint Android to be unlocked for other country's" it does not have 3D if you want that get the evo 3D.
Please people appreciate what Motorola and sprint has offered us and stop complain so much. Sure I hate that its still locked and i can't use it for At&t but I also understood this before I bought the phone and dealt with it for what it is. Everyone here seems to knows Motorola's past about promises but yet you still purchased this device anyway...
Sent from my I9300 using XDA
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Click to collapse
You misunderstand, what they are talking about here is the bootloader. It needs to be unlocked to flash custom roms and kernels. Right now unlocked bootloader means no 4g. After update it means unable to unlock bootloader at all. Has nothing to do with using on att.
Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk 2

The OP is right. The next release for the Photon for now is a GB maintenance update. Here is a link to Moto's explanation that defines the terms "update" and "upgrade". On the SOAK test page it says that they are looking for users to test the pre-release "update". I hope the Photon doesn't have the same issues as the Electrify. I have no doubt that ICS upgrade is in the works and will be released in Q3 and this update is a side thing.
posted April 25, 2012 by Remy
ericchan3 said:
"New call for SOAK testers for an upcoming release. Look at the sticky thread for the update posted today. I am hoping its for the ICS update."
This is not going to be an ICS release for a couple of reasons:
1) It does not match up with the timeline posted here on the upgrades page.
2) Terminology; Update = maintenance update, fixes. Upgrade = OS upgrade, ie: ICS.
I hope this helps clear things up.
Thanks,
J
https://forums.motorola.com/posts/25829baf50

bricky23 said:
You misunderstand, what they are talking about here is the bootloader. It needs to be unlocked to flash custom roms and kernels. Right now unlocked bootloader means no 4g. After update it means unable to unlock bootloader at all. Has nothing to do with using on att.
Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk 2
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So your saying that Motorola(or sprint telling moto what's up) has decided to Bork 4G if bootloader is unlocked? Kinda makes sense. If your not going to use software provided by the hard working people over at moto then why should they give you everything? Makes sense wouldnt give us an unlocked bootloader. Because they know that no matter what we will still be able to unlock it ourselves or still find a way to install custom roms and kernels. This isn't their first rodeo obviously. They worked hard to bring us this wonderful phone why would they make it easy for us to replace it?
I understand what you guys are saying. I just thought I would add a bit more to it before it was debated later. Motorola all around still has some of the highest selling android phones most of which have locked bootloaders but somehow still attract the same people that always say "I will never buy a Motorola again!"
Im just trying to get the people to understand that its just like when you were a kid and you touch a hot stove for the first time. You don't touch it again right? Why get the photon if you could have gotten a different high end device? Maybe one with an unlocked bootloader.
Sent from my I9300 using XDA

tsdeaton said:
Give it time guys. Once Motorola has released their ics update and sprint stops supporting the moto(EOL catches up) then I see no reason why they wouldn't unlock it or at least give us north America at&t so I could "lose" my phone and get its replacement and continue to use this phone as a prepaid go phone after I get my upgrade
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All Moto/Sprint has to do is make the claim of "network security concerns" and all petitions and laws related to unlocking can be ignored. Just look at Verizon and devices on Block C frequencies. Now if nobody purchased Moto devices for on release cycle then Moto may reconsider but that will never happen so our phones stay locked by the manufacturer.

True, but someone sooner or later will get an anti trust action or whatever you call it. Microsoft tried that crap and were eventually shot down. Your phone is basically a mini PC. What they are doing is trying to limit software to what they can control.
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!

I had used HTC phones for years, but wanted to give Moto a shot.
I'll probably go back to HTC.
But - important - I now no longer see the need to upgrade every year. I got to that point a few years ago with my laptop, and think I'm there with my tablet also.

I quit upgrading every year. There's really no need to. My first was the Moto Q, had it for over a year then I got it wet. My next was a HTC Ozone, grew tired of the WinMo thing after almost two years. Next was a Droid X, I really liked it, even renewed my contract, but Big Red really pissed me off. Now I have the MoPho and it's here to stay. Being able to get ICS from these awesome devs just cements it's place. But Moto does need to either quit making promises they don't intend to keep and/or get with the program.
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!

FernBch said:
I quit upgrading every year. There's really no need to. My first was the Moto Q, had it for over a year then I got it wet. My next was a HTC Ozone, grew tired of the WinMo thing after almost two years. Next was a Droid X, I really liked it, even renewed my contract, but Big Red really pissed me off. Now I have the MoPho and it's here to stay. Being able to get ICS from these awesome devs just cements it's place. But Moto does need to either quit making promises they don't intend to keep and/or get with the program.
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!
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Click to collapse
After a year in India, one year ago I made the jump from WinMo to Android - have had 3 Android phones in that year. Happy with the Photon for at least another year+ with ICS coming.

FernBch said:
True, but someone sooner or later will get an anti trust action or whatever you call it. Microsoft tried that crap and were eventually shot down. Your phone is basically a mini PC. What they are doing is trying to limit software to what they can control.
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!
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Click to collapse
exactly! if i buy a laptop and it comes with windows 7 on it and i want windows xp i can do that. why the heck can't i do the same with my phone that costs more than my laptop?
like i stated in another thread.... all my devices for now on will be Nexus'. hopefully it will be a motorola one cause i love their hardware but i feel that i should be able to put what ever the hell i want to on my phone. i have a huge problem with the fact that companies won't allow me to do that. so for now on either the phone already has a unlocked bootloader (by the manufacturer or by another means) or i'll just buy a Nexus phone.

Somehow I'm still surprised that this update they are testing is ONLY the 2.3.5 gingerbread update. Somehow I had some sort of hope that this would be the ICS update. Not sure how I was that optimistic about it, I guess I just figured they wouldn't be just now testing an update for the Photon that came out on the electrify over a month ago.

Hey, you know how it is. They have to lay the "ground work"............
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!

FernBch said:
Maybe. I guess I can consider myself lucky. I mean, IMHO, Moto's hardware is better than most. They are well built, my reception is top notch, and I do have an unlocked device.
The part that makes Moto suck is the software end. They said they would unlock things, but it appears this is not the case. And who's to say that Sprint doesn't have a hand in this, either? I mean, if we unlock, flash, etc. we are using our devices how WE want, not how THEY want.
Just saying..............
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you 100%. Motorola phones have been very good to me. I need something that's durable with my job, and the way my Motorola phones have held up has been more than acceptable. I am actually scared to try another manufacture's device because of how much luck I've had with Motorola.

Unlocking Android illegal???

My neighbor told me he saw this on the news. I checked on Taptu and sure enough there is an article on CNet saying that this Saturday it will become illegal to unlock any device without the carriers approval. I cant post the link cause i have fewer than 10 posts. Bummer.
Does anyone know anything more about this? How can they make an open source project like Android illegal. I understand the "Buy an unlocked device." idea, but but where I live there's simply no carrier that supports the use of an "unlocked" device.
I was just wondering what u devs thought about this. Will this effect any pure Google devices such as my GNex? What about my HTC phone which HTC provides the means of unlocking? Is that having the carrier's approval?
Sent from my UNLOCKED... Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

trxrider31 said:
My neighbor told me he saw this on the news. I checked on Taptu and sure enough there is an article on CNet saying that this Saturday it will become illegal to unlock any device without the carriers approval. I cant post the link cause i have fewer than 10 posts. Bummer.
Does anyone know anything more about this? How can they make an open source project like Android illegal. I understand the "Buy an unlocked device." idea, but but where I live there's simply no carrier that supports the use of an "unlocked" device.
I was just wondering what u devs thought about this. Will this effect any pure Google devices such as my GNex? What about my HTC phone which HTC provides the means of unlocking? Is that having the carrier's approval?
Sent from my UNLOCKED... Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the device is a Google branded device - coming straight from Google, not from any carriers like att or Verizon, then it shouldn't affect the device. So if you have a Verizon Gnex, yes. UNLESS Verizon decides to support it. This is why I always get my phone from Google itself as a device with no limitations except the hardware inside.
Sent from my N3xUS IV ;D

Have a Look at this thread
Sent from my muffin LIFE! Under maintenance.!

guys rooting and unlocking phones are legal!!!

So will there be a "grandfather" clause that will allow me to keep my GNex unlocked or will they be able to somehow re-lock my LTE GNex?
As i stated, the only svc available where I live, aka. the sticks, is LTE. I am not aware of any unlocked device worth owning that uses the lte network. Suggestions??
And what about my HTC Rezound with unlocked bootloader? I mean, verizon had to allow HTC to sell its phone with the unlockable bootloader?? I would think that they allowed the GNex as well? I mean its only a select few devices that have this built in.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

imda1 said:
guys rooting and unlocking phones are legal!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THe former is. The latter will soon be illegal.

imda1 said:
guys rooting and unlocking phones are legal!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is illegal in Bulgaria ago. And refuse warranty service if are changed ROM or device is ROOTed.

The only reason I like my android is because I can change the roms and root the phone. Allows so much customization and additional support when the manufacturer rather you go buy another phone every year.

Please understand. Rooting != Unlocking
Sent from my Kyocera Rise via Tapatalk

dibblebill said:
Please understand. Rooting != Unlocking
Sent from my Kyocera Rise via Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what you are saying. Are you saying rooting will not be illegal but that loading a new ROM on a phone that makes the phone no longer carrier locked will be?
Most of these forums revolve around putting new, improved, unlocked ROMs on our phones. If that's going to be illegal on the 26th, then we've got problems because all these forums will be about illegal activities!
Have I missed something?

trxrider31 said:
My neighbor told me he saw this on the news. I checked on Taptu and sure enough there is an article on CNet saying that this Saturday it will become illegal to unlock any device without the carriers approval. I cant post the link cause i have fewer than 10 posts. Bummer.
Does anyone know anything more about this? How can they make an open source project like Android illegal. I understand the "Buy an unlocked device." idea, but but where I live there's simply no carrier that supports the use of an "unlocked" device.
I was just wondering what u devs thought about this. Will this effect any pure Google devices such as my GNex? What about my HTC phone which HTC provides the means of unlocking? Is that having the carrier's approval?
Sent from my UNLOCKED... Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know how I missed this thread, I looked....but I just posted this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2119633

Sign the Petition
it is important to do something against that so sign this petition https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/make-unlocking-cell-phones-legal/1g9KhZG7 !!

not sure in your country
depends on your countrys laws and if you purchased the phone straight from google them selves

There are many petitions floating around, yet, I don't believe this will be around for very long. If you PURCHASE your phone it's fine. The problem lies in people upgrading, unlocking, then selling their phones. So second party (the people that buy the unlocked phones) may be held liable as the IMEI might not be registered at 'sale' or 'upgrade' even though those numbers are plainly posted on the sales package. It still pisses me off though. I upgrade and don't really use the phones I get directly, (I don't sell the phone until my service agreement eligible for another upgrade) and to think someone I sell a phone to may be held criminally liable pisses me off. Even the same when I buy a phone considering ignorance is not an excuse. How many noobs are here begging for information? Say some kid buys an unlocked ICrap to use on T-Mobile? Pops in the SIM Card and gets reported. Who wins?

dibblebill said:
Please understand. Rooting != Unlocking
Sent from my Kyocera Rise via Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boy are you way off. Rooting has nothing to do with it. This is for sim unlock only
Batcom2

Speeding in a school zone is illegal too but we all catch ourselves doing.
I suggest if you unlock your at&t phone you don't go calling them saying your going to T-Mobile. You wouldn't speed in front of that cop.
BTW this doesn't seem like a big deal. Hopefully it ends subsidized phones with two year plans so people can not have to wait 2 years to switch. If you paid 800 for it then you can unlock it, or what some people said where you make a backup of your stock and then do whatever.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

zelendel said:
Boy are you way off. Rooting has nothing to do with it. This is for sim unlock only
Batcom2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess you don't understand what != means.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I don't understand what is the problem of lawmakers, but one of them are simply f**ed up.
1. If i bought a phone from a carrier and i'm still paying the monthly fee, until my contract ends, what is the problem of the carrier if i unlock the device?!
2. If i unlock the device, root it or change the rom, i must be aware i will void my warranty.

Change.org Petition for Galaxy S4 Verizon Bootloader Unlock

I believe this has been posted before, but I wanted to bring it back to life.
I received a new phone from Asurion (I'm on Verizon.) today. It came prepacked with MK2.
You can imagine the frustration with this that I had after having AOSP KitKat on my previous GS4, and I'm willing to do just about anything to bring the new one to a firmware in which I can unlock the bootloader.
Anyway, here is the Change.org link: http://www.change.org/petitions/sam...ock-the-bootloader-of-the-verizon-s4-sch-i545
Were only 340 signatures away.

Good luck
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Well I signed it what the hell. I just don't think they care though.
They're too much into the big picture to care about us folks who want to flash ROMs . they made the dev s4 to address this, I think that's where they will stay. They'll just end up losing people like us as customers as we move to the other carriers that don't lock them down.
Hey I'm with you though... Why not try. Doesn't cost anything.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

I agree. The big picture is what Samsung cares about the most. (They are turning more and more into Apple everyday.)
However, maybe with a stroke of good luck and 1000 petition signatures...
Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S4

From what I know its not Samsung its Verizon att etc , if I buy the international version of this phone its bootloader is unlocked somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

swordmastr54 said:
From what I know its not Samsung its Verizon att etc , if I buy the international version of this phone its bootloader is unlocked somebody correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be entirely honest, I'm not sure. Although you do sound correct.
However, I'm sure if this petition make 1000 signatures, Change.org would get it sent to the leads of the departments in both companies. It's called CHANGE.org for a reason, and if they weren't to do that, I would be genuinely surprised. I guess we'll just have to get it signed and see what happens! :fingers-crossed:

swordmastr54 said:
From what I know its not Samsung its Verizon att etc , if I buy the international version of this phone its bootloader is unlocked somebody correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, Knox was created by Samsung either way. Meaning that they technically could come out with a BL unlock, if they really wanted to for Verizon customers. (unless legal issues?)

I'm not sure, but I suspect Samsung is looking to expand into a corporate environment where security is king. I can see the possibility of selling unlocked bootloaders to those customers who know the risks involved, but their challenge is to protect the security of their products. I don't know where Blackberry is with the ability to "root" their phones, but when I was on the Storm, all kinds of people were looking to unlock their devices and were stymied by the security measures in place.

enterprise clients who represents the single largest bulk of cell phone sales vs those who mod their phones are driving the security for good reason...modders can purchase the dev edition with an unlocked BL if they want to...
safestrap is our option currently and gives us of plenty of choices.

retrogrymlyn said:
Also, Knox was created by Samsung either way. Meaning that they technically could come out with a BL unlock, if they really wanted to for Verizon customers. (unless legal issues?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well of course they could, Samsung does the actual "locking" of course. But it's the carrier that makes them do it.
To be honest 1,000 signatures is a joke compared to millions of enterprise customers.
Sent from my HTC6600LVW using Xparent Blue Tapatalk 2

Barack Obama will personally address this issue if we get enough signatures!
Sent from my SCH-I545

Please unlock the bootloader of the SCH-I545, respectively. We wouldn't want this device to be retired due to the fact that the people are not fully satisfied with it in its current state.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not signing that. It doesn't even make sense. ITYM "respectfully." And, they're not going to retire a phone because people are not fully satisfied, they retire phones when they don't sell or a newer model comes out.
And why not call it what Verizon calls it - the Samsung Galaxy S4? Do you think some VP keeps track of the phones by model number?

Skrazz said:
Barack Obama will personally address this issue if we get enough signatures!
Sent from my SCH-I545
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wrong site lol
Sent from my HTC6600LVW using Xparent Blue Tapatalk 2

Such writing. Much horrible. Wow. If you want to make a petition you may want to proofread and/or learn the English language first. However, even if the petition was properly worded it would not help to unlock the bootloader any more than me praying for it to be unlocked. Nice try though.

mike.s said:
I'm not signing that. It doesn't even make sense. ITYM "respectfully." And, they're not going to retire a phone because people are not fully satisfied, they retire phones when they don't sell or a newer model comes out.
And why not call it what Verizon calls it - the Samsung Galaxy S4? Do you think some VP keeps track of the phones by model number?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to mention that from a hardware standpoint, this phone is still pretty good a year after its release.

Funny fact is the verizon rep spoke yesterday to us saying "all of our phones are unlocked and are free to do what you want with them"
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

xxtoxicravenxx said:
Funny fact is the verizon rep spoke yesterday to us saying "all of our phones are unlocked and are free to do what you want with them"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's true from a carrier perspective. He was referring to "SIM locks," which prevent a phone from being used on a different carrier. People who've dealt with GSM phones are more familiar with the concept - other than some pre-pay phones, I'm not aware of any US CDMA ones which were ever locked (and they didn't have SIMs, so it's not a true SIM lock, they did it in a different way).

xxtoxicravenxx said:
Funny fact is the verizon rep spoke yesterday to us saying "all of our phones are unlocked and are free to do what you want with them"
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they are unlocked from carrier veiwpoint
again, its enterprise customers which number in the millions vs modders who number in the thousands who drive this.......
if you want to mod a phone, a developer edition is available

I'm sorry but I'm completely confused by your attitude toward this. Here you are on the largest modding website known to man and by your post count you've been here for quite a while. Yet you solution is "buy a dev phone".
I guess that might make sense for the devs who are creating roms for the community, but what about there userbase? Are you saying every single person on these boards (with a locked bootloader) should purchase a dev phone? I mean you might as well just close the site at that point because the userbase is going to dwindle, and then you've just got dev's making roms for devs.
I bought this phone, it is now my property and i should have the option to do with it what i please.
I guess I'll have to start buying dev car's and dev computers when i want to make mods to them too with that kind of attitude.
Void4ever
decaturbob said:
if you want to mod a phone, a developer edition is available
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

void4ever said:
I'm sorry but I'm completely confused by your attitude toward this. Here you are on the largest modding website known to man and by your post count you've been here for quite a while. Yet you solution is "buy a dev phone".
I guess that might make sense for the devs who are creating roms for the community, but what about there userbase? Are you saying every single person on these boards (with a locked bootloader) should purchase a dev phone? I mean you might as well just close the site at that point because the userbase is going to dwindle, and then you've just got dev's making roms for devs.
I bought this phone, it is now my property and i should have the option to do with it what i please.
I guess I'll have to start buying dev car's and dev computers when i want to make mods to them too with that kind of attitude.
Void4ever
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not about the attitude, it's about not much could be done to get Verizon to side with us in giving us unlocked bootloaders. Up to this day there has not being an unlock for the S4, Note 3, or newly updated S3. With it being so tight the only way to go is to buy a developer edition. User base or not, the answer for a bootloader unlock isn't going to just fall out of the sky the chances only get slimmer by the holes that get patched up from each loophole. Of course I see your side of your case but I also see why he'd say buy have a dev phone or simply jump carriers or a different phone that can be unlocked.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

S7 bootloader unlock petition

Anybody interested in the bootloader and unlocking it I encourage you to sign this petition. These phones are ours to use how we see fit and the more noise we make the better our chances are. I bought this phone under the assumption that nothing had changed and for Samsung to change their policies without notice isn't acceptable for me and hopefully you as well. Thank you
Petition

brendan802 said:
Anybody interested in the bootloader and unlocking it I encourage you to sign this petition. These phones are ours to use how we see fit and the more noise we make the better our chances are. I bought this phone under the assumption that nothing had changed and for Samsung to change their policies without notice isn't acceptable for me and hopefully you as well. Thank you
Petition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bootloaders have been locked down on samsung devices for a long time. Tmobile was lucky enough to have them open. This will never happen.

this is the end..

signed.

Signed

Never happened with the Note 3 despite similar petitions, likely never going to happen with the S7 either. I do agree that if you own the phone outright (not on a lease from AT&T) then you should be able to do as you please with it and once you completed the lease then you should be allowed to unlock the bootloader.

naiku said:
Never happened with the Note 3 despite similar petitions, likely never going to happen with the S7 either. I do agree that if you own the phone outright (not on a lease from AT&T) then you should be able to do as you please with it and once you completed the lease then you should be allowed to unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to say that technically through ATT it is not a lease, it is a payment plan. That would be like buying a house or a car not leasing in which case they are both considered yours right off the bat. Yes you are making payments on it but if the deal is done properly you will never return the phone to ATT making it yours, unlike a lease.

whoamanwtf said:
I would like to say that technically through ATT it is not a lease, it is a payment plan. That would be like buying a house or a car not leasing in which case they are both considered yours right off the bat. Yes you are making payments on it but if the deal is done properly you will never return the phone to ATT making it yours, unlike a lease.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is a very good point, however I can at least understand with AT&T that until you pay for that phone in full it is not considered yours. I would not be surprised if they have something in the fine print on the Next plan that says something to that effect. Note - I do agree with you entirely, I am paying for a phone and should be able to do whatever the heck I want with it.

If you're going to write a petition to these companies, you should run it through a proofreader and spell check. Nobody will take that seriously written the way it is. Also, if you want it to gain more traction, you should probably share it in the Galaxy S7 subreddit as well at www.reddit.com/r/galaxys7.

Don't think it will happen with Samsung Pay. They are very protective of it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

With no upgrade availability for any of the phone numbers on my account, I paid full price for my S7 Edge, so I own my phone outright and want the bootloader unlocked!

What happens when this reaches 1500? With a locked bootloader aren't things such as root and safestrap still feasible?

TheZander said:
What happens when this reaches 1500? With a locked bootloader aren't things such as root and safestrap still feasible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes root it possible. Not sure about safe strap.
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

billydroid said:
Yes root it possible. Not sure about safe strap.
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root is still a longshot and I'd go as far as saying that safestrap won't happen at all. Look at the past, the AT&T S6 barely got root, still doesn't have more than like 2 ROMs, and is entirely dependent on one root method that supports two specific builds and an app called Flashfire. Samsung, on behalf of the carriers, is doing everything in their power to make rooting and custom ROMs an impossible feat. With that being said, let's take a look at the AT&T Note 5. It still has just received root from the same people who are supporting root on the S6 (from what I've seen, PingPongRoot was born and died with an earlier S6 build). The majority of the big devs who used to put in the work for supporting Samsung devices have all jumped ship to devices that aren't as heavily locked down. Unfortunately, I think the dev scene for Samsung devices that aren't the international or T-Mobile versions is pretty much dead (even the Tmo Note 5 isn't getting much love). The only redemption here is that the S7 uses a qualcomm processor, not an exynos, which is much more heavily documented, meaning that if someone is able to crack open the bootloader, the ROMs (and more importantly, the kernels) will be much easier to build. This is all just my 2 cents, I hope someone does accomplish the unthinkable and achieve all of this, but in the meantime, if you want to stick with Samsung, buckle up and enjoy the stock touchwiz. You'll probably be on it for a while.

TekGadgt said:
Root is still a longshot and I'd go as far as saying that safestrap won't happen at all. Look at the past, the AT&T S6 barely got root, still doesn't have more than like 2 ROMs, and is entirely dependent on one root method that supports two specific builds and an app called Flashfire. Samsung, on behalf of the carriers, is doing everything in their power to make rooting and custom ROMs an impossible feat. With that being said, let's take a look at the AT&T Note 5. It still has just received root from the same people who are supporting root on the S6 (from what I've seen, PingPongRoot was born and died with an earlier S6 build). The majority of the big devs who used to put in the work for supporting Samsung devices have all jumped ship to devices that aren't as heavily locked down. Unfortunately, I think the dev scene for Samsung devices that aren't the international or T-Mobile versions is pretty much dead (even the Tmo Note 5 isn't getting much love). The only redemption here is that the S7 uses a qualcomm processor, not an exynos, which is much more heavily documented, meaning that if someone is able to crack open the bootloader, the ROMs (and more importantly, the kernels) will be much easier to build. This is all just my 2 cents, I hope someone does accomplish the unthinkable and achieve all of this, but in the meantime, if you want to stick with Samsung, buckle up and enjoy the stock touchwiz. You'll probably be on it for a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you. The real kicker for me is what T-Mobile is doing, which is my carrier. Almost every device on tmo had the ability to get root and be unlocked. But they are getting on board with Verizon and AT&T and requested devices be locked down. Then they lie to us and say it's the manufacturers. They had them lock down the LG g5, which LG always gave us a unlock method,.garbage.
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

dubbactrumpetmsu said:
If you're going to write a petition to these companies, you should run it through a proofreader and spell check. Nobody will take that seriously written the way it is. Also, if you want it to gain more traction, you should probably share it in the Galaxy S7 subreddit as well at www.reddit.com/r/galaxys7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you, I would love to sign a petition and I'm glad someone started one, but this petition has too many mistakes to even count. I doubt any company is going to take it very seriously. No disrespect intended to the person who wrote it, but it needs to be re-written.

Best hope for us is for the mandatory arbitration clause to go away. That would enable a group of users to sue when a locked bootloader prevents them from upgraded their phone. Older phones are susceptible to vulnerabilities because AT&T doesn't continue to roll out updates and the locked bootloader prevents you from updating the phone on your own.
I could be wrong, but I think this could be a pathway.

In the history of these sites and smartphones I don't think any company has ever unlocked the bootloader for any petition, and there have been plenty of them. I don't think they ever will. As much as I agree that it shouldn't be locked, especially if you outright own the phone, this is just a lost cause.

This thread about an app called "crom" in China is interesting: http://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-s7-edge/help/code-t3379915/page24
Posted in the Sprint S7 edge forums. I guess the China varient is able to have its bootloader unlocked with this app...

xjimmy said:
This thread about an app called "crom" in China is interesting: http://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-s7-edge/help/code-t3379915/page24
Posted in the Sprint S7 edge forums. I guess the China varient is able to have its bootloader unlocked with this app...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
China's bootloader isn't as locked down as ours in the states is...[emoji30]
Sent from my SM-G935T using XDA-Developers mobile app

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