Asus locking bootloader - Eee Pad Transformer General

http://thenextweb.com/mobile/2012/0...sh-over-transformer-primes-locked-bootloader/
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda premium

Wrong forum, that is about the new transformer prime, not the original transformer

Yea I know just wanted anyone know who might want to get the prime... also for future products/updates they might release..
sent from epic 4g

Original Transformer also has locked bootloader. Just lucky for most of us the key was leaked.

Nullinvoid said:
Wrong forum, that is about the new transformer prime, not the original transformer
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Its very pertinent here.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium

However the Prime forums are in a bit of an uproar about it.
As I am opposed to locked/encrypted bootloaders I post this link so we may all let Asus know that we don't want to see any more of encrypted bootloaders.

Tweeted as requested! Seems prime has more enthusiasts than we do right now.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium

God I really hate these internet mediastorm campaigns full of spotty teenagers complaining about crap like this and starting Facebook petitions and all to try and change corporate decisions. They flood blogs and news sites will their crap.
Go buy an Xoom if it really bothers you that much.
Comments like this really are embarrassing (not for Asus, but the whole human race).
Jermiah Fortier
Unlock this Bootloader on the prime you scumbags.
I bought this device and I demand I be allowed to use it. I will be advising everyone that I know is in the market for a tablet to avoid Asus until something is done.
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Someone want to tell him he can already USE it..... He makes it sound like a power-on password. If anything unlocking the bootloader will REDUCE functionality, as it would almost certainly mean you would no longer have a secure device that could rent content, any unlocking would remove DRM keys.
Both my devices are rooted with unlocked bootloaders, however I don't DEMAND it, I research the products and buy the ones that allow it (or have leaked keys). Had the Asus not had the bootloader keys leaked, I would have bought something else (Xoom for eample). Let market forces dictate, not dumb Facebook and mediastorm bullcrap.

Got to love our first world problems. I'd much rather worry about a locked bootloader digital device then where im going to get my next meal or whether we have fresh water for the children . Send all these whining kids to south Africa or the Philippines, mayybe have them digging fighting holes in Afghanistan or building ffp 's... that will add some perspective to their "PROBLEMS"
Carry on
Sent from my SGH-I997 using XDA App

theraffman said:
Got to love our first world problems. I'd much rather worry about a locked bootloader digital device then where im going to get my next meal or whether we have fresh water for the children . Send all these whining kids to south Africa or the Philippines, mayybe have them digging fighting holes in Afghanistan or building ffp 's... that will add some perspective to their "PROBLEMS"
Carry on
Sent from my SGH-I997 using XDA App
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Spot on. My sentiments exactly. It's interesting this form of internet crybaby attitude seems to be almost entirely American of origin.

CrazyPeter said:
Spot on. My sentiments exactly. It's interesting this form of internet crybaby attitude seems to be almost entirely American of origin.
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Indeed, methinks mommy and daddy didnt ever tell these idiots 'no'.
However, whilst i dont really appreciate people whingeining so much about this, no doubt the prime will get its leaked bootloader key sometime soon. Patience it seems is fast becoming a uncommon virtue.
The thing that bugs me about this whole bootloader thing is that pure Android devices like the Nexus range dont have this and google have said they dont approve of it but cant do anything about what other manufacturers do in this regard.

Some of the comments are a bit stupid and obviously by people who dont even know what they are talking about .
Regardless now anyway as Asus have announced they will provide an unlocking tool.
This is also good for TF101 users on SBKv2 as im damn sure they will also allow unlocking this too.
Great result i think !!

This is from engadget
"Lastly, ASUS explains that the locked bootloader is essential for access to content from Google's video market thanks to DRM restrictions, but it promises an unlock utility is in the work for those who want it."
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/03/ice-cream-sandwich-coming-to-the-transformer-prime-january-12th/

mllk said:
This is from engadget
"Lastly, ASUS explains that the locked bootloader is essential for access to content from Google's video market thanks to DRM restrictions, but it promises an unlock utility is in the work for those who want it."
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/03/ice-cream-sandwich-coming-to-the-transformer-prime-january-12th/
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There is more to the story than what was published here. It appears that along with the unlocked bootloader, will come the inability to use some DRM protected audio and video content. It will be a trade off.

Rumbleweed said:
There is more to the story than what was published here. It appears that along with the unlocked bootloader, will come the inability to use some DRM protected audio and video content. It will be a trade off.
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And the same internet crybabies will be launching a campaign to try and shame Asus into allowing them to have a unlocked bootloader AND be able to rip the DRM from video rentals, they will also force them to make the next Asus Transformer 3 also have an inbuilt coffee maker and toenail clipping facility.
I hate how the internet and social media gives a vocal minority an overinflated ego that allows them to blackmail companies to conform to their whims.

Well, you can call me crybaby, but I'm happy with the result of this campaign. You seem to be crying much more that all of us so called "crybabies" now in this thread. If you don't approve - no need to call people names. And if we all allow in silence for devices to be more and more locked one day we wouldn't have a choice to buy sth else because all of them would be locked.

Magnesus said:
Original Transformer also has locked bootloader. Just lucky for most of us the key was leaked.
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Sorry for OT, but when was the key leaked? I am new to the Tf101 and didn't here a Word about that. Could you post a link to confirm that, or sth. like that?

Magnesus said:
Well, you can call me crybaby, but I'm happy with the result of this campaign. You seem to be crying much more that all of us so called "crybabies" now in this thread. If you don't approve - no need to call people names. And if we all allow in silence for devices to be more and more locked one day we wouldn't have a choice to buy sth else because all of them would be locked.
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Sorry, but I have not felt the need to engineer a social media ****storm like you lot have arranged, where a vocal minority are pretending to be MUCH louder than they actually are.
If you really dislike locked bootloaders, then Tegra2 and Tegra3 platforms are not for you, as they are ALL locked using the same 128bit AES key, as it's part of the NVidia chipset.
The only tablet I am aware of that uses Tegra2 that allows unlocking is the Xoom, if you feel that strongly, don't buy Asus, but Xoom instead.

im sorry but im sure the group of people who want their devices unlocked is not a small percentage from the research ive done on android a good half of android owners are likely rooted.
the people who dont root are usually, not always but usually the people who dont know how or what it is. for your average joe user a locked bootloader means nothing now at least,(if we allow manufacturers to continue to take administrator rights away from the owner the owner will have no control what runs or doesnt run on their device). most users who are technically knowledged in computers are against locked bootloaders even if they dnt feel rooting is neccessary with asus' device(they did a good job at adding the features that were lacking due to a locked device)
ANYONE who sticks up for locked bootloaders on any computer or personal device doesnt have a clue...manufacturers are taking away your rights to do whatever you want with your device. there has already been federal judges state that changing software on a device should not void a warranty. if the tools that should be available are available then software problems can be fixed by the consumer but the manufacturer would lose money from people that would just maintain and repair their devices themselves. im sorry but it is VERY VERYimprobable that software of anykind can damage hardware. i dont think it can at all unless the tools to completely wipe a device and reload its software are non existent.
these manufacturers are only concerned with money not the customers at all. these decisions are made with greed as the driving factor.
and obviously the community that wants the rights to their devices must not be small or asud would have paid no attention....and htc who is now unlocking their devices heard that communities requests as well.
and very simple with a locked bootloader the manufacturer can put any tracking, or spyware on the device they want and the users wouldnt even know. that alone is enough to say no....i do agree with those who say if you want an unlocked device the buy a different tablet and i agree, and i think if that happened then companies like asus sales would definetly fall and companies would see and react to it. i believe this is one way to get manufacturers to listen to the community.
but when i bought my transformer i was told by commercials the salesman, and the android specifications and just the fact its open source, that my device was open sourced and developer freindly. an open source software that run on a locked device is just an oxymoron i guess that the word anyway.
i do feel honestly i was mislead to a degree and in the future i will not purchase a device until i confirm i get full administratir rights to my device. and i hope all other android users do the same..i absolutely love my asus and i would hate to have to make my choice on rights to do what i want with my device rather than the specs and quality of the device.
any device that has files i cant see change or remove is not truly my device its whoever has controll of it letting me use what they deem is ok.
and the low blow to americans was uncalled for but id have to say we are raised from birth believing we have the right to freedom and that includes our devices, and i really dontr think thats wrong what i do believe is wrong is anyone who accepts their freedoms being taken from them and then stcking up for the one who is taking those freedoms away. talk about silly
i really have no intentions of upsetting anyone with this and it is a general statement not directed to anyone other than asus really, im just stating my opinion and i believe thats another right we have. no one has to agree with me and i dont expect them to EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO AN OPINION. without being attacked for it

Sure enough Asus came through with the requests!

Related

Motorola Legally Have To Give Us Control

does motorola have to give us full control on our device now since this came out says we should be able to do whatever we want right?I know its mainly for iphone but it says iphones and other devices
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/technology/27iphone.html?src=mv
The short answer is No, they don't.
While they basically have no recourse if we do root their devices, they have no obligation to allow us to do so. Also they (the manf.) have evry right to put protections in place to attempt to not allow thier devices to be rooted.
frycook15 said:
does motorola have to give us full control on our device now since this came out says we should be able to do whatever we want right?I know its mainly for iphone but it says iphones and other devices
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/technology/27iphone.html?src=mv
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That was, um.... interesting. I had no this issue had reached a legal victory. I think it just means you can do whatever you want on your own hardware and share it with others without fear of legal reprise. Doesnt mean Moto's going to suddenly set up a how to on root on their website.
No. They also do not have to fix your phone even if you rooted it and that is terms for voiding the contract.
All this did was confirm people have property rights.
Motorola legally don't have to give us control, the article is stated that as a consumer you can do what ever you want with your phone expect for illegal action that wont result in a lawsuit by the Company because you modified their device that is now yours.
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App
I really don't see any problems with rooting your own phone and i hate that company's like verizon and motorola lock down an open source os, so only their programs work on it. Like the wifi tether, verizon trying to charge $20 when its a feature the phone can do for free.
Its kinda pointless for them to fight it because if we pay for a$ 600 phone you better be damn sure i am going to do what i want with it when i want to.
Plus i think that the only reason motorola locked the bootloader is because verizon asked them to. Motorola os.making no extra money out of doing. Verizon has all the gain in whether to let root or other programs work.
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App
I would say this more or less only affects people who root/JB phones (people like the iPhone dev-team, who actually release tools/methods of rooting/JB'ing). The common jailbreaker/rooter isn't going to actually get sued over it. People who make tools that allow everyone else to, may actually get sued (which now they can't?). =p
AaronsDarts said:
I really don't see any problems with rooting your own phone and i hate that company's like verizon and motorola lock down an open source os, so only their programs work on it. Like the wifi tether, verizon trying to charge $20 when its a feature the phone can do for free.
Its kinda pointless for them to fight it because if we pay for a$ 600 phone you better be damn sure i am going to do what i want with it when i want to.
Plus i think that the only reason motorola locked the bootloader is because verizon asked them to. Motorola os.making no extra money out of doing. Verizon has all the gain in whether to let root or other programs work.
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App
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This is the same tech that is in all omap phones. And was in place on the "open" version of the droid. The milestone. Moto and verizon would and did know that locking the bootloader would NOT prevent tethering.
The locked bootloader is to protect moto's intellectual property that they have invested on their platform. As well as preventing having to deal with returns of screwed up phones, from badly flashed phones.
It's motos right to do it. Just the same as its your right to crack it.
People really need to learn the real meaning of open source, as well as the difference between rooting and a locked bootloader.
Don't like it? Get another device on another network.
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
omnifox said:
This is the same tech that is in all omap phones. And was in place on the "open" version of the droid. The milestone. Moto and verizon would and did know that locking the bootloader would NOT prevent tethering.
The locked bootloader is to protect moto's intellectual property that they have invested on their platform. As well as preventing having to deal with returns of screwed up phones, from badly flashed phones.
It's motos right to do it. Just the same as its your right to crack it.
People really need to learn the real meaning of open source, as well as the difference between rooting and a locked bootloader.
Don't like it? Get another device on another network.
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
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This guy is 100% correct. It was mostly about protecting THEIR ROM, they cannot patent any part of their ROM specifically the resizable widgets, so they most likely didn't want custom ROMs out there able to do it and specifically delaying others from doing it and apparently HTC and Samsung seem to have no interest in it.
I dont see why phone manufacturers think they have the right to lock us down and dictate what software we can run on the phone. We purchase the phone for $500-600, its legally ours. I should be able to run any OS or software on it that I choose to. Nobody dictates what software or OS I can or can't run on my desktop computer, and if they did try to, the Justice Dept or the EU would be all over them like a cheap suit suing them and fining them like crazy. So where do these phone manf's get the gall to do it??
I think there needs to be a class action lawsuit against one phone manufacturer. It would scare others in to backing off this assanine behavior.
omnifox said:
It's motos right to do it. Just the same as its your right to crack it.
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I have to disagree here. It is not their right to lock the phone down so severely so as to dictate to me that the only OS I can run on the phone has to come directly from them and be digitally signed by them.
Dell doesnt tell me what OS I can run on my computer. And they sure as hell dont have the right to lock it down so that the only OS and only updates must come from them, thats ILLEGAL! And is on phones too, after all, they are just mini computers now. All it will take is one legal challenge to this and it will stop. I'm waiting to hear the FCC's stance on this (of course those crooks are all in ATT and VZW back pockets).
derek4484 said:
I have to disagree here. It is not their right to lock the phone down so severely so as to dictate to me that the only OS I can run on the phone has to come directly from them and be digitally signed by them.
Dell doesnt tell me what OS I can run on my computer. And they sure as hell dont have the right to lock it down so that the only OS and only updates must come from them, thats ILLEGAL! And is on phones too, after all, they are just mini computers now. All it will take is one legal challenge to this and it will stop. I'm waiting to hear the FCC's stance on this (of course those crooks are all in ATT and VZW back pockets).
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I like your thinking; Is there anything us "smaller" people can do to help the cause? I guess I am thinking something along the lines of a suggestions box to the fcc or something.....
Anyways, it would be sweet to see Motorola unlock this phone themselves with an OTA update.... I might Jizz My Pants...
I still cannot believe how cell companies are able to get away with their behavior in the US, if you've ever been overseas you'd see what I'm talking about.
Phone companies there are EAGER to get your business so they will allow you to use any phone on their network, as long as the frequency of the radio is compatible.
For example (using US companies: Sprint would allow you to take the droid X on their network just to have your business
FtL1776 said:
This guy is 100% correct. It was mostly about protecting THEIR ROM, they cannot patent any part of their ROM specifically the resizable widgets, so they most likely didn't want custom ROMs out there able to do it and specifically delaying others from doing it and apparently HTC and Samsung seem to have no interest in it.
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Except that a locked bootloader doesn't prevent you from taking the framework and other files OFF of the phone, just prevents you from putting a custom ROM ON the phone.
There are some devs working on extracting blur pieces, but from what I've read so far, it's pretty inter-twined, much like HTC's Sense framework.
Yes, I know that Motorola has 'Said' the bootloader is locked to protect their IP, and that VZW has nothing to do with it. And of course, we all read this on the internet, so it must be true.
I think it's reasonable to conclude that Moto has self interests in mind here as well. But to think that VZW doesn't have an 'opinion' on this is just plain naive. I'll give you three guesses (and the first two won't count) as to whether the official VZW froyo release has wi-fi tethering included, or if it's been disabled.
derek4484 said:
I have to disagree here. It is not their right to lock the phone down so severely so as to dictate to me that the only OS I can run on the phone has to come directly from them and be digitally signed by them.
Dell doesnt tell me what OS I can run on my computer. And they sure as hell dont have the right to lock it down so that the only OS and only updates must come from them, thats ILLEGAL! And is on phones too, after all, they are just mini computers now. All it will take is one legal challenge to this and it will stop. I'm waiting to hear the FCC's stance on this (of course those crooks are all in ATT and VZW back pockets).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cbaty08 said:
I like your thinking; Is there anything us "smaller" people can do to help the cause? I guess I am thinking something along the lines of a suggestions box to the fcc or something.....
Anyways, it would be sweet to see Motorola unlock this phone themselves with an OTA update.... I might Jizz My Pants...
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Of course it is there right to produce the phone to their specs. If you don't like the software or their configuration, don't buy it. The marketplace rules here. When/if enough people care about this issue (and I hate to say it, but people like us are a vocal minority in the large picture of phone buyers), then it will change. So long as you voluntarily pay the money, don't expect any them to do any different. Did they not say exactly that in regards to this issue? I Believe the quote was something to effect of 'buy a different phone if you want to load custom roms.'
sp1kez said:
I still cannot believe how cell companies are able to get away with their behavior in the US, if you've ever been overseas you'd see what I'm talking about.
Phone companies there are EAGER to get your business so they will allow you to use any phone on their network, as long as the frequency of the radio is compatible.
For example (using US companies: Sprint would allow you to take the droid X on their network just to have your business
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Click to collapse
Most consumers in the U.S. are not willing to pay full price for these phones. We 'demand' a subsidized phone cost (ie, $199.00 for a $600.00 Droid X).
Expect more of the same until people are willing to pay the full cost of the phone.
Zaphod-Beeblebrox said:
Most consumers in the U.S. are not willing to pay full price for these phones. We 'demand' a subsidized phone cost (ie, $199.00 for a $600.00 Droid X).
Expect more of the same until people are willing to pay the full cost of the phone.
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I'd pay the full price of the phone up front if that meant no contract + lower monthly bill. However none of the major US carriers offer that option except for t-mobile.
Wrong can buy full price without a contRact on verizon
Sent from my FroyoEris using XDA App
xmunk said:
Wrong can buy full price without a contRact on verizon
Sent from my FroyoEris using XDA App
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Verizon won't give you a lower monthly bill...
derek4484 said:
I have to disagree here. It is not their right to lock the phone down so severely so as to dictate to me that the only OS I can run on the phone has to come directly from them and be digitally signed by them.
Dell doesnt tell me what OS I can run on my computer. And they sure as hell dont have the right to lock it down so that the only OS and only updates must come from them, thats ILLEGAL! And is on phones too, after all, they are just mini computers now. All it will take is one legal challenge to this and it will stop. I'm waiting to hear the FCC's stance on this (of course those crooks are all in ATT and VZW back pockets).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is with people and this stupid mental disorder of "get the government involved," crap, specifically when you cite the wrong bureaucracy shows that you're a moron.
As the ruling has said, what happens on the phone once you jailbreak it, as long as it is received legally, there is no crime committed, preventing you from jail breaking is not illegal and never should be, seriously you have to be a retard if you believe the government should be involved in stopping how programs are coded and locked, if Verizon doesn't want you to be tethering without you paying them for that, that is THEIR right, it's their property.

To all who have preordered

Who of you are going to be pissed when / if you find out that, as the hardware is encrypted, you'll won't be able to put any roms on it? Under UK law at least, you won't have any justification to take it back for a refund.
i wont be pissed i just want a good new phone if its unlocked all the better...
MarkusPO said:
Who of you are going to be pissed when / if you find out that, as the hardware is encrypted, you'll won't be able to put any roms on it? Under UK law at least, you won't have any justification to take it back for a refund.
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When I purchase a phone it is done purely on the following:-
1. What hardware and software is currently available.
2. How it works in it's native form.
3. Whether or not the manufacturer supports the device.
Okay, two out of three's not bad and good enough for me but having an ability to alter/tamper outside of it's base/core never comes into it's purchase.
I'm sure this is what most people will purchase the phone for.
It's a great phone, simple as that.
What? Is the HW encrypted? What did I miss?
I'm with Beards on this one. It's a great phone and that's why I've pre-ordered one.
How is it possible to not care about locked bootloader? But i guess it won't be locked?
Arrghh nearly pre-ordered mine,
What's this about HW encryption??
Is he joking or being serious, I can't find anything
Sent from my MB525 using XDA Premium App
I'm pretty sure he's saying if you find this out, will you be mad? He's not saying it is true.
Who cares...this baby will be cracked open like a nut...and theres always a way to get back to stock if needed...chill out...we are gods here at xda hahaha..
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
from the horses mouth itself: http://galaxys2.samsungmobile.com/html/feature.html
MarkusPO said:
from the horses mouth itself: http://galaxys2.samsungmobile.com/html/feature.html
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Is it locked down?
On Device Encryption
The Samsung GALAXY S II is the first Android smartphone to adopt powerful encrypted hardware, minimizing the use of security software and applying encryption technology to the hardware itself, greatly accelerating security protection and achieving superior performance.
I can not see why Samsung would care, they are selling hardware not software, so a open sgs2 will sell more.
DKMIK said:
I can not see why Samsung would care, they are selling hardware not software, so a open sgs2 will sell more.
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I think wrong. i'm sure 75% of people buying it won't care. however if samsung can make a device that's locked down and secure and it catches on for this reason, it could tempt many large businesses to buy the s2 in hundreds if not thousands per company. that's going to add up to a lot of sales.
I don't know very much about ROM development etc. but couldn't it be that the encryption is totally transparent for accessing the ROM via "normal" software and only exists to protect the ROM against being built out and accessed manually?
this would be bs and i will be pissed.. it would probably mean no tweeking like deleting crap you dont need in system/app or replacing apps with tweeked version.. i may cancel my preorder
Sebring5 said:
Is it locked down?
On Device Encryption
The Samsung GALAXY S II is the first Android smartphone to adopt powerful encrypted hardware, minimizing the use of security software and applying encryption technology to the hardware itself, greatly accelerating security protection and achieving superior performance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Encryption is something else than locking it down. Just wait ya'll...
Hardware encryption does not mean locked bootloader. Samsung has not yet commented about the bootloader locking status. I want to believe that it won't be locked because it is fighting against the whole idea of Android. If I want to do exactly what big brother says I will buy an iPhone.
If the bootloader is properly locked, we won't be able to open it even here in XDA. Motorola Atrix has a locked bootloader and you can go to the Atrix forum here and see yourself how many custom kernels there are. (None)
We all know the direction of Android is completely based on Google's whim, and it has become increasingly apparent that in order to stabilize and defragment their evergrowing and unwieldy ecosystem, they must set some standards and lock some things down. Google has already told phone manufacturers that future Android changes that the companies make must be approved by Google or they won't release early source code to devs who don't comply. They have realized they won't be able to compete with closed and stable systems like iOS, RIM, and WP7 with this "open" approach. What makes you think custom ROM from hacker A will get any blessings when the likes of Samsung or HTC will have to go through Google's scrutiny? I look forward to seeing more locked bootloaders.
It might be like that but as a customer I don't care about the "Being able to compete with iOS"-angle. If I can't modify my phone I am leaving it to shop. Maybe in the future the Google phones are the only ones without locked bootloaders.
Now that I think of it, the locked bootloader has nothing to do with the Android fragmentation. It only prevents developers to modify their phones. Phone manufacturers can still do their Touchwiz and Motoblur things. Maybe this locked bootloader thing has something to do with operators (especially in USA)?
In the UK, if you've preordered it online, there is an EU law on distance selling which covers internet purchases. This enables you to get a refund within 7 days. Whether you think it will be cracked after these 7 days will be up to you, but xda should provide an insight into how hard it will be to do upon release.
http://www.oft.gov.uk/about-the-oft/legal-powers/legal/distance-selling-regulations/

Want the bootloader keys? Lets all fight back!

To Motorola and for the rest of us,
I bought this phone originally because I read that the bootloader would be unlocked and I assumed fairly soon after. I, like most people, do not like motoblur. It is a slow, bloated, unfriendly interface that was forced upon me. Sadly, it is still forced upon me. So now that I thought I'd hold out and thought we'd get the keys, we didn't and it's too late to return this phone that had great promise.
What do I do now since I was dupped? I take away potential customers from Motorola. I've already convinced 3 of my friends not to get any of your phones and also a XOOM and who knows how many people they will tell my recommendations to?
You guys waste so much money on marketing and creating an image. This thing was suppose to blur the lines between computer and phone and you yourself are the ones who crippled that from being possible. Do you know what happens when you go to a sales agent at AT&T? They don't recommend the Atrix; a power user/person with knowledge of smartphones denies the customer from even considering it an option. Why would they do that? Because they know they can sell another phone that THEY like (easier to sell when you like it yourself) and they know the user won't come back and return against them, since they are paid commission.
Also, consider the demographic that probably bought this phone or considered it. They more than likely aren't the people who click 'Allow' when a website asks if it can install malware - those people bought iPhone's. The dual core CPU and webtop experience attracted the nerdier group - the power users and dev's - the exact people who don't want the limitations you put.
I know my post probably won't get heard by anyone important at moto but I know some of us owners/users/sympathizers will read this. The only thing I can hope is that we use the great tool we have and blog/tweet/status update/tell others. They won't listen to us, but they will listen to money. Take it away from them and they will listen.
FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS BUY MOTO! <---My facebook status and you should make it yours too!
kane4fire said:
To Motorola and for the rest of us,
I bought this phone originally because I read that the bootloader would be unlocked and I assumed fairly soon after. I, like most people, do not like motoblur. It is a slow, bloated, unfriendly interface that was forced upon me. Sadly, it is still forced upon me. So now that I thought I'd hold out and thought we'd get the keys, we didn't and it's too late to return this phone that had great promise.
Moto wasn't forced upon you. You bought the phone with a locked bootloader and Motoblur installed! Buying the phone was your decision!
What do I do now since I was dupped? I take away potential customers from Motorola. I've already convinced 3 of my friends not to get any of your phones and also a XOOM and who knows how many people they will tell my recommendations to?
Just because Motorola hasn't unlocked the bootloader in what is your timeframe doesn't constitute you being duped! Once again, you bought the phone knowing it had a locked bootloader and Motoblur!
You guys waste so much money on marketing and creating an image. This thing was suppose to blur the lines between computer and phone and you yourself are the ones who crippled that from being possible. Do you know what happens when you go to a sales agent at AT&T? They don't recommend the Atrix; a power user/person with knowledge of smartphones denies the customer from even considering it an option. Why would they do that? Because they know they can sell another phone that THEY like (easier to sell when you like it yourself) and they know the user won't come back and return against them, since they are paid commission.
No salesperson tried to prevent me buying mine. In fact, to the contrary, they gave me all the options. I, like you, chose to purchase the Atrix! A power user doesn't need the sales persons help to choose what they want!
Also, consider the demographic that probably bought this phone or considered it. They more than likely aren't the people who click 'Allow' when a website asks if it can install malware - those people bought iPhone's. The dual core CPU and webtop experience attracted the nerdier group - the power users and dev's - the exact people who don't want the limitations you put.
Dare I say it again..............you bought the phone knowing the bootloader was locked and Motoblur was on it! Everyone who has bought the Atrix and considers themselves a power user knows/knew the same things
I know my post probably won't get heard by anyone important at moto but I know some of us owners/users/sympathizers will read this. The only thing I can hope is that we use the great tool we have and blog/tweet/status update/tell others. They won't listen to us, but they will listen to money. Take it away from them and they will listen.
Sell your Atrix..........take your *****ing to another forum............and on your way out, don't let the doorknob hit ya where the good lord split ya!
FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS WHINE AND COMPLAIN ABOUT A PRODUCT THEY BOUGHT KNOWING IT WASN'T WHAT THEY WANTED <---My facebook status and you should make it yours too!
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Click to collapse
See above for my response to this!
*****ing about it will not accomplish anything and a large company such as Motorola wont be hurt by a few sales and honestly if I were your Facebook friend I would still buy this gadget, you know why? Its a great phone and there is still a chance that its bootloader will be unlocked eventually...just be patient.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Actually, motorola explicitly stated they were going to unlock the bootloader from near the beginning - which was the reason I bought the phone. They used it as a selling point and they haven't addressed it at all...probably hoping it would be forgotten. Same thing with it being called a 4G phone, but it couldn't even attain 3G speeds up. They sold people on the idea that it would have the ability to access the fastest network speeds and people knew it didn't but still bought it. People *****ed, and now everyone (including your ungratefulness), got what they were told they were paying for.
A sales person may have not kept you, but it does happen more than in your case. As a matter of fact it happens fairly regularly. Usually a sales rep will lean towards one phone instead of another simply due to personal preference.
It is a great phone and great hardware without the ability to use it. This is a developers forum. If you don't want the ability to develop on this phone completely, why are you here? So you can seem all high and mighty? Maybe you're the one in the wrong forum or maybe you should just have a couple pitchers at a pub?
As far as a few sales not hurting it, that's not true at all. These phones aren't exactly flying off the shelves. As a matter of fact, this phone has a higher return rate than almost other smartphones. A returned phone costs much more overall than just not making a sale in the first place. The reason why they are going to do that is only because enough people are pissed about it that their current sales are hurting. They didn't spend money hiring people and R&D to create a locked bootloader if they didn't originally plan on keeping it locked for good.
You guys can tell people not to say anything or *****, but at the end of the day, you'll be the ones reaping the benefits of the people who did.
roharia said:
*****ing about it will not accomplish anything and a large company such as Motorola wont be hurt by a few sales and honestly if I were your Facebook friend I would still buy this gadget, you know why? Its a great phone and there is still a chance that its bootloader will be unlocked eventually...just be patient.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
*****ing won't, but asking the right questions and showing that you are not the only one who is after this definitely gets some attention.
Kane4fire,
I really like your passion, it's just about making sure your message is heard and that you don't look like a troll.
Please look at some of the work I've been doing with Motorola, it's slow going but we are getting noticed.
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/04/motorola-bootloader/
http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/motorola-promises-unlocked-bootloaders-for-future-android-phones/
http://www.groubal.com/motorola-lockedencrypted-bootloader-policy/
http://www.facebook.com/unlockmoto
Cheers,
Irwin
Irwin, I have been seeing a lot of your work and group and etc. Personally, I'm not 100% convinced on them unlocking the bootloader for the Atrix since all the articles stated 'late 2011 releases' and the Atrix is early 2011.
The whole point of my post was for people who do post things and have some sort of a following to actually do something and post up as well on their own avenues. If you lose your dog, you don't just tell one or two people, you tell everyone and everything you can and it creates an exponential chain of people who end up knowing about it.
I personally know for a fact that at least in a small regional area they haven't done well with the XOOM and Atrix AT ALL and much of it actually has to do with Blur and it's problems with memory usage, battery life, and general lack of UI polish. I am sure that once the figures are out it will reflect how poorly they have been doing. It's a corporation and money is their motivator/reason for existence. I am sure if they hurt enough they will bow.
kane4fire said:
Irwin, I have been seeing a lot of your work and group and etc. Personally, I'm not 100% convinced on them unlocking the bootloader for the Atrix since all the articles stated 'late 2011 releases' and the Atrix is early 2011.
The whole point of my post was for people who do post things and have some sort of a following to actually do something and post up as well on their own avenues. If you lose your dog, you don't just tell one or two people, you tell everyone and everything you can and it creates an exponential chain of people who end up knowing about it.
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Click to collapse
Absolutely. I haven't ceased any of my activities since that PR mumbo jumbo they gave me.
I have a few contacts within Motorola that are being difficult to get a hold of, so I keep sending emails, I keep calling (international calls for me), I keep my facebook group going, I keep tweeting and spreading as far as I can.
I hope you also have similar luck in spreading the word and getting people to rally to the cause, just make sure not to dilute the message too much or get people opposed to you.
Good luck my friend, it's good to see the fire burns strong for you.
kane4fire said:
Irwin, I have been seeing a lot of your work and group and etc. Personally, I'm not 100% convinced on them unlocking the bootloader for the Atrix since all the articles stated 'late 2011 releases' and the Atrix is early 2011.
The whole point of my post was for people who do post things and have some sort of a following to actually do something and post up as well on their own avenues. If you lose your dog, you don't just tell one or two people, you tell everyone and everything you can and it creates an exponential chain of people who end up knowing about it.
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Click to collapse
Not to doubt your ability to read and understand the English language, but here is the actual quote:
“Motorola will enable an unlockable/relockable bootloader, currently found on Motorola Xoom, in future software releases where carrier and operator partners will allow it,” Motorola said in a statement provided to Wired.com. “It is our intention to include the unlockable/relockable bootloader in software releases starting in late 2011.”
Is the Atrix a software release? No. Maybe they will be pushing OTA updates starting in late 2011 which will allow for this.
knigitz said:
Not to doubt your ability to read and understand the English language, but here is the actual quote:
“Motorola will enable an unlockable/relockable bootloader, currently found on Motorola Xoom, in future software releases where carrier and operator partners will allow it,” Motorola said in a statement provided to Wired.com. “It is our intention to include the unlockable/relockable bootloader in software releases starting in late 2011.”
Is the Atrix a software release? No. Maybe they will be pushing OTA updates starting in late 2011 which will allow for this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, my mistake. I haven't been able to sleep. Either way, their choice of wording still doesn't mean they will actually provide the unlock since they have to convince the carrier to unlock it. I don't know what their terms were with AT&T, but why would they need permission to unlock a bootloader when it has nothing to do with the cellular network? AT&T is obviously going to say no on the matter since it means less possible anything for them to deal with. Then again I don't know. Maybe it was apart of the deal that they would lock the bootloader as a package to offer the phone on a particular network.
kane4fire said:
Well, my mistake. I haven't been able to sleep. Either way, their choice of wording still doesn't mean they will actually provide the unlock since they have to convince the carrier to unlock it. I don't know what their terms were with AT&T, but why would they need permission to unlock a bootloader when it has nothing to do with the cellular network? AT&T is obviously going to say no on the matter since it means less possible anything for them to deal with. Then again I don't know. Maybe it was apart of the deal that they would lock the bootloader as a package to offer the phone on a particular network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Neither you or any other Atrix owner is entitled to an unlocked bootloader from Motorola. Just saying: You're not. At the same time, you're well within your rights to crack it yourself, or just get a different phone.
Edit: I'm not saying it wouldn't be nice of Motorola to package a completely open bootloader with the Gingerbread update. It would.
This absolutely does have something to do with AT&T. The AT&T Atrix was "built" for AT&T. There are contractual agreements in place.
So if AT&T says no, that is the answer. If you want a phone with an unlocked bootloader (in this case) then you need to buy one that will be unlocked - either the carrier approved it, or maybe we see an unlocked phone that is not tied to a carrier.
If you buy an AT&T (or other carrier) branded phone, then you are going to be stuck with that carriers decisions.
chromedome00 said:
This absolutely does have something to do with AT&T. The AT&T Atrix was "built" for AT&T. There are contractual agreements in place.
So if AT&T says no, that is the answer. If you want a phone with an unlocked bootloader (in this case) then you need to buy one that will be unlocked - either the carrier approved it, or maybe we see an unlocked phone that is not tied to a carrier.
If you buy an AT&T (or other carrier) branded phone, then you are going to be stuck with that carriers decisions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You say that, but then again there are many other Android phones on AT&T that /do/ have an unlocked bootloader. Captivate, Aria, Inspire, galaxy tab and most likely the Infuse. So again, maybe AT&T doesn't care and its up to the manufacturers.
Sent from my screaming Atrix *4G* using the XDA App
I am lost......if bloatware and motoblur are the issues you have with the phone why not just get rid of or freeze the bloatware and try a different launcher or Ginger/grey blur? I haven't had to deal with motoblur for a while.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
kane4fire said:
To Motorola and for the rest of us,
For one you and hackers on here kill me most brands like moto don't make phone people to replace a bootloarer that's not in there mind in the board meeting.That being said they built a phone that a normal person can pick up and download apps from marketplace from its like buying a new 2011 car getting it home and dropping the motor and tranny the new car is ment to drive of the lot now im not saying I want my atrix bootloader locked cause I don't and my G2x is not unlocked but you can't strike against a large company like moto your little voices still mean nothing do them unless where on there board they care less.
I bought this phone originally because I read that the bootloader would be unlocked and I assumed fairly soon after. I, like most people, do not like motoblur. It is a slow, bloated, unfriendly interface that was forced upon me. Sadly, it is still forced upon me. So now that I thought I'd hold out and thought we'd get the keys, we didn't and it's too late to return this phone that had great promise.
What do I do now since I was dupped? I take away potential customers from Motorola. I've already convinced 3 of my friends not to get any of your phones and also a XOOM and who knows how many people they will tell my recommendations to?
You guys waste so much money on marketing and creating an image. This thing was suppose to blur the lines between computer and phone and you yourself are the ones who crippled that from being possible. Do you know what happens when you go to a sales agent at AT&T? They don't recommend the Atrix; a power user/person with knowledge of smartphones denies the customer from even considering it an option. Why would they do that? Because they know they can sell another phone that THEY like (easier to sell when you like it yourself) and they know the user won't come back and return against them, since they are paid commission.
Also, consider the demographic that probably bought this phone or considered it. They more than likely aren't the people who click 'Allow' when a website asks if it can install malware - those people bought iPhone's. The dual core CPU and webtop experience attracted the nerdier group - the power users and dev's - the exact people who don't want the limitations you put.
I know my post probably won't get heard by anyone important at moto but I know some of us owners/users/sympathizers will read this. The only thing I can hope is that we use the great tool we have and blog/tweet/status update/tell others. They won't listen to us, but they will listen to money. Take it away from them and they will listen.
FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS BUY MOTO! <---My facebook status and you should make it yours too!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
Tylerjd said:
You say that, but then again there are many other Android phones on AT&T that /do/ have an unlocked bootloader. Captivate, Aria, Inspire, galaxy tab and most likely the Infuse. So again, maybe AT&T doesn't care and its up to the manufacturers.
Sent from my screaming Atrix *4G* using the XDA App
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Click to collapse
^^^ If Moto scapegoats AT&T over this, it would not be good for business.
knigitz said:
Not to doubt your ability to read and understand the English language, but here is the actual quote:
“Motorola will enable an unlockable/relockable bootloader, currently found on Motorola Xoom, in future software releases where carrier and operator partners will allow it,” Motorola said in a statement provided to Wired.com. “It is our intention to include the unlockable/relockable bootloader in software releases starting in late 2011.”
Is the Atrix a software release? No. Maybe they will be pushing OTA updates starting in late 2011 which will allow for this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's rumored that Moto will be the manufacturer for the next generation Google Nexus branded device, which is supposedly to be released ~Q4 2011. Maybe this is what they are referring to. Who knows. All I do know is that quote from moto didn't say anything about the Atrix.
nucentury08 said:
For one you and hackers on here kill me most brands like moto don't make phone people to replace a bootloarer that's not in there mind in the board meeting.That being said they built a phone that a normal person can pick up and download apps from marketplace from its like buying a new 2011 car getting it home and dropping the motor and tranny the new car is ment to drive of the lot now im not saying I want my atrix bootloader locked cause I don't and my G2x is not unlocked but you can't strike against a large company like moto your little voices still mean nothing do them unless where on there board they care less.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Holy ****. Longest, most rambling sentence I've ever seen.
Other att phones have locked bootloaders but they where easily exploited. Htc and the other manufacturers are making them harder and harder to unlock. Att most likely is in contract with moto to keep it locked. With it locked they have more chances of making more money off the bloatware.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
knigitz said:
Neither you or any other Atrix owner is entitled to an unlocked bootloader from Motorola. Just saying: You're not. At the same time, you're well within your rights to crack it yourself, or just get a different phone.
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yeah, why should people who plunk down hundreds of dollars be able to do what they want with something they own?
the nerve of some people wanting to use their devices as they see fit.
jbe4 said:
yeah, why should people who plunk down hundreds of dollars be able to do what they want with something they own?
the nerve of some people wanting to use their devices as they see fit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You pay for the product, not the ability to tweak it to your heart's content. You don't see a $200 iPhone coming readily available to modify, do you? No. You have to jailbreak it first, if there's a jailbreak available.
As for kane's comment about motorola saying they'd unlock the bootloader from "near the beginning".... there was never such a statement that i've seen. I've seen stuff on the Motorola Owners Forum stating that a possible bootloader solution was being looked into... but nothing more than that. period.
elementaldragon said:
You pay for the product, not the ability to tweak it to your heart's content. You don't see a $200 iPhone coming readily available to modify, do you? No. You have to jailbreak it first, if there's a jailbreak available.
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by paying for the product I've paid to do what I want with it - If I want to use it as a way of leveling a kitchen chair thats my prerogative.
I think its just as patently offensive that Apple does it too
regardless, Android was/is billed as the Open Source alternative specifically to address the nonsense that is the itunes store and the draconian oversight of overbearing manufacturers. To have individual manufacturers go against the spirit of what google was/is trying to accomplish when they released AndroidOS seems just a bit ridiculous, dont you think?

Bootloader unlock on Asus TF101 official

http://gizmodo.com/5887218/asus-transformer-bootloader-unlock-available-for-download
HTC first, now ASUS, I hope ACER will join the bunch.
You're new here, aren't you?
Never expect anything positive from Acer and thank whichever god or gods you believe in should they accidentally actually do something positive.
WereCatf said:
You're new here, aren't you?
Never expect anything positive from Acer and thank whichever god or gods you believe in should they accidentally actually do something positive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Woweeee..
But i to agree with you about acer.I think after the device is no longer valid it could maybe happen..But even then i do not see it. They are always answering Absolutely no.
I find it interesting that SO many people trash Acer, yet, apparently, purchased their products. Since I've known Acer to be very consistent in their products, support, warranties, etc... for years... I wonder why these people would have purchased an Acer product in the first place. Perhaps they all received them as gifts. Surely, anyone who thought SO little of a company would never give them their hard-earned cash for their products.
sRDennyCrane said:
I find it interesting that SO many people trash Acer, yet, apparently, purchased their products. Since I've known Acer to be very consistent in their products, support, warranties, etc... for years... I wonder why these people would have purchased an Acer product in the first place. Perhaps they all received them as gifts. Surely, anyone who thought SO little of a company would never give them their hard-earned cash for their products.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heaven forbid we have the entitlement to do what we want with our devices! Acer would never change how the bootloader worked after it went on the market.
It would be impossible and never a thing that happened.
WereCatf said:
You're new here, aren't you?
Never expect anything positive from Acer and thank whichever god or gods you believe in should they accidentally actually do something positive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, who knows ... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=22884131&postcount=394
WereCatf said:
You're new here, aren't you?
Never expect anything positive from Acer and thank whichever god or gods you believe in should they accidentally actually do something positive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let's simmer down, shall we? ;]
Sent from my Acer Iconia A500 using xda premium
WereCatf said:
You're new here, aren't you?
Never expect anything positive from Acer and thank whichever god or gods you believe in should they accidentally actually do something positive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I have my a500 for a little bit over hlaf of a year.
WereCatf said:
You're new here, aren't you?
Never expect anything positive from Acer and thank whichever god or gods you believe in should they accidentally actually do something positive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are so right. Man, I wish acer had done something positive. Creating the A500 was an awful, shameful thing to do!
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium
I think this is all wrong..
most of us Love the A500 . its hardware and True ability.well ability we would have if it were not locked.. BUT WE CAN NOT STAND ACER'S POLICIES regarding how they treat there customers
I think the above best suites this situation.. For me anyway.
erica_renee said:
I think this is all wrong..
most of us Love the A500 . its hardware and True ability.well ability we would have if it were not locked.. BUT WE CAN NOT STAND ACER'S POLICIES regarding how they treat there customers
I think the above best suites this situation.. For me anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me offer another prespective...
Iconia vs. Ipad = $300 (There or about)
Iconia vs. Transformer = $50??? (plus or minus)
Iconia vs. Galaxy or Xoom??? Dont even bother
I was able to root in a few hours thanks to the tutorials in XDA's dev section and dont particulary care for anything stock.
Based on the price differences of tablets with comparable hardware I think we should be quite happy with what we have. I bought my tab on boxing day at a price point that I did not expect to get ICS for.
Why the gripes folks?
Since we have nvflash, we can run even custom bootloader; so there is absolutely no security on the device. Right now the process is a bit complicated, so you have to wait for stock bootloader with working fastboot oem unlock
Skrilax_CZ said:
Since we have nvflash, we can run even custom bootloader; so there is absolutely no security on the device. Right now the process is a bit complicated, so you have to wait for stock bootloader with working fastboot oem unlock
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Click to collapse
yes i have been watching the work in your Dev thread. and also on the on acer tablet users website. There seems to be a built in unlock method with icon type screen. So if wHhat i read over there is true Acer's Push of ICS To the a200 has a built in unlock mech.
So it looks like acer has been watching and listening.
I think moving forward a lot of manufacturers will be making the bootloaders unlockable. Mostly because it's a way to compete now. A lot of people say the "average user" doesn't care about or doesn't understand root, updates, ROMs, etc.
In reality there are probably just as many "power" users as "average". Guess where a lot of them go if someone makes their hardware more open. Locked down hardware becomes undesirable. That's sales they don't get. That's recommendations they might not get. That's a strike against them in reviews.
Money might be what's moving this but I'm certainly not complaining. If it turns out the developers and engineers behind these companies understand where we come from, that's even better.
I Agree it seems to be a tread to unlock them especially on NON Contract devices. I can kinda understand if say you get a 400.00 device for 125.00 attached to a 2 year contract how the Carrier has a right to restrict that device to there Services only.But after that two years when the device is on its way out.They should then Totally unlock the device..
with the above said NONE OF that should apply to the A500 . A501 if you bought it on a contract subsidized with a lower price to stay with the company They have right to lock .. THIS i believe is the force behind Manufactures locking devices. Either pressure from carriers . or locking them as a incentive to get carries to use there device.as well as they think it says them tech support dollars.The tech support dollars saved .Well i believe they loose as many Tech savy customers a dollars saved.
I so hope they just allow unlocks for all devices
Link is actually for the Transformer Prime TF201
Just wanted to point out that the official tool linked in the original post (remember that post? It was about the Asus TF101? I know it didn't have to do with Acer so you may have forgotten...) is actually only available for the TF201 (Transformer Prime) running ICS. There does not appear to be an official unlock tool for the TF101.
Yeah it need to be unlocked it like have a PC without a bios
Sent from my Iconia A500 using Tapatalk
Skrilax_CZ said:
Since we have nvflash, we can run even custom bootloader; so there is absolutely no security on the device. Right now the process is a bit complicated, so you have to wait for stock bootloader with working fastboot oem unlock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who are "we"? I sure as hell don't have it. Lots of people don't have nvflash. For us the TF101 is as locked down as they come.
Only releasing the SBKv2 (and v3 and v4 and v5 etc) keys or unlocking the bootloaders is acceptable.
Yet Asus has yet to release anything at all.
Colour me disappointed.
josteink said:
Who are "we"? I sure as hell don't have it. Lots of people don't have nvflash. For us the TF101 is as locked down as they come.
Only releasing the SBKv2 (and v3 and v4 and v5 etc) keys or unlocking the bootloaders is acceptable.
Yet Asus has yet to release anything at all.
Colour me disappointed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"We" are those who own an a500. Welcome to the iconia a500 general forum.
BTW the transformer, being a tegra device, does indeed have nvflash. Seems its useless as pointed out below. Forgive my ignorance.
wolverine423 said:
BTW the transformer, being a tegra device, does indeed have nvflash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed it does, but unless you have a secure boot key version 1 TF101, nvflash does not work . What the above poster is talking about is that most of the current TF101s on the market have secure boot key version 2 and up which means nvflash is about as useful as a screen door on a submarine.

Verizon Pixel with Its Locked Bootloader

Greetings fellow nerds. How's it hangin'
Note to admin, I don't have permissions to create a dev thread. Your move broooh.
Uhhhh so this whole "Wah VZN and I couldn't buy a google pixel in full because I'm poor" has been getting on my nerves. I too can't afford an $900 phone and due to college, my credit history is a burden.
I want to start a discussion on the feasibility of literally opening up a phone, jamming some probes in and directly overwriting the chip to a generic bootloader/kernel.
Maybe you'd have to replace the chip and start with a blank slate, I dunno, but it's a frikkin' rock encased in refined dinosaur crap. How could the awesome might of electricity (in the form of merciless shock therapy) fail against a turd-encrusted sand-dollar? I don't think so.
I just made this account. Hope to see some naysayers in the morning at least telling me the idea is pointless and I'm an idiot so I don't waste my time.
Btw I don't mean zapping a chip, I just meant using one of those in-system programmers. This method could probably never be patched which is worth looking at as an exploit. AMiR?
Anyone notice that Verizon's latest commercial stars the protagonist of Silicon Valley? As if.
I kind of agree but the knife cuts both ways here. Us making posts about devs needing to try harder to unlock the bootloader may just be getting annoying. They know who they are and they may or may not be working on it. I would love to know somebody that knew how to do this or have an understanding of this. Even at the basic level I wish I knew where they even started.
The way I look at it, the bounty for unlocking the bootloader being ~2k isnt enough. This probably takes weeks to do. I would assume whoever figures out the exploits has an engineering degree from somewhere and understands how programming and exploitation works. They can probably make more money in a weeks time than what the bounty will ever be from this site.
It's not the bounty or the money. There is no reason to unlock the bootloader since the Google version is unlockable. And then a new update comes out and it's locked again. It's just pointless.
Sent from my Pixel using XDA-Developers Legacy app

			
				
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The best bet for unlocking this, or any other phone, is to keep an eye on Linux kernel vulnerabilities. It's not a magic box, it's a small computer running modified Linux. The tricky bit is if a vuln is found, it will be patched. Is it work? Yes. Is it more effort than it's worth? Probably. Is it fun? If it's interesting to you, then yes!
I think in the end, if you look at it as a mystery or puzzle when trying to unlock your device, it can be fun. If you are wanting or needing extra functionality that requires root, then you should likely buy it direct from Google. In principle I don't like that it's locked, but in practice it doesn't matter too much. I totally understand people not being able to afford to drop the money up front, hell I'm one of em! At the same time though, there's nothing magic about "the devs." They're just people who found this stuff fascinating and decided to learn how to do it. Which means YOU can do it too! Only thing standing between you and an unlocked device is investment, either in money (a google phone), or in time (learn how these things work and try it yourself).
Ok this ended in me rambling a bit. Hopefully it made sense.
Has anyone tried manually flashing an ota update through the stock recovery ? It Should pass signature verification from the locked bootloader right ? If so , couldn't there be a way to fake the signature , so a modified .zip could be flashed on a locked bootloader ?
IDK just asking since I got a Verizon version a week ago . Been on Nexus devices since the Galaxy Nexus . I am pretty upset at my ignorance on not knowing Verizon locked the bootloader on their version before buying.
I'm not an expert but I have some experience modding kernels and recoveries on the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 6
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Jessooca said:
I understand what you're asking and I too bought a Pixel XL (verizon version) forgetting entirely about the locked bootloader... in all the other nexus devices I've had you could simply download the latest official image from google for the device and simply flash it and youd have a nexus/pixel you could use on whichever carrier you want and not have to worry about bloatware, etc... so I am assuming your asking if you can do just that, simply download the latest full factory image https://dl.google.com/dl/android/aosp/marlin-opr3.170623.007-factory-fc68b6a3.zip and flash it to your phone and will it work or cause issues...... well it simply will fail from the get go IF it won't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically what I was getting at is there might be a way to trick the locked bootloader into thinking a .zip file I flash is an ota update when it's really something else . It's the only way I see a route into gaining superuser privilege.
Also I am going to call Verizon and see why they decided to do this. I can't see an answer that they could give that would be reasonable . Hopefully they have the ability to unlock them or push an update to unlock after the pixel 2 is out IDK .
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
bsmitty83 said:
Basically what I was getting at is there might be a way to trick the locked bootloader into thinking a .zip file I flash is an ota update when it's really something else . It's the only way I see a route into gaining superuser privilege.
Also I am going to call Verizon and see why they decided to do this. I can't see an answer that they could give that would be reasonable . Hopefully they have the ability to unlock them or push an update to unlock after the pixel 2 is out IDK .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do that. Let us know what they say. It's prolly just a mistake on their part. They prolly didn't mean to lock them.
LMAO.
mattwheat said:
You do that. Let us know what they say. It's prolly just a mistake on their part. They prolly didn't mean to lock them.
LMAO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Id say save your time calling them. They will more than likely give you some ,in their eyes common sense, reasons in the direction of "Its network security" or "we don't want our customers unknowingly flashing a file not meant for the device and bricking their device" ect. Look online as to why they chose to lock the boot loader, because they can get away with it hiding behind network security and watching out for customers.
bsmitty83 said:
Also I am going to call Verizon and see why they decided to do this. I can't see an answer that they could give that would be reasonable . Hopefully they have the ability to unlock them or push an update to unlock after the pixel 2 is out IDK .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I highly doubt it. They do it for security as well as a control measure when it comes to warranty, returns, and insurance.
You have dishonest people that would do things to their devices and brick them and try to say it's a defect. Back in the day you could load iPhone firmware onto an iPod, brick it so bad their in-store software tools couldn't find the root cause and walk out with a shiny new device because it looks like a defect.
The fact that a nexus / pixel is almost impossible to brick is irrelevant because they arent in the business of quantifying how brickable or not a device is and applying bootloaders accordingly.
The majority of their customers don't even know what a bootloader is.
Further more I don't think anyone in their 3 tier service model will give you a useful answer based off of the point above. Even if you got an answer how will that change what the current situation is.
Frankly I'd figure out a way to buy from Google and screw the run around because I bet you there are people holding out hope for an early exploit like we had on the Pixel which is highly unlikely.
Unless you can find how bootloaders are in violation of the block C rules, this is a losing battle.
pcriz said:
I highly doubt it. They do it for security as well as a control measure when it comes to warranty, returns, and insurance.
You have dishonest people that would do things to their devices and brick them and try to say it's a defect. Back in the day you could load iPhone firmware onto an iPod, brick it so bad their in-store software tools couldn't find the root cause and walk out with a shiny new device because it looks like a defect.
The fact that a nexus / pixel is almost impossible to brick is irrelevant because they arent in the business of quantifying how brickable or not a device is and applying bootloaders accordingly.
The majority of their customers don't even know what a bootloader is.
Further more I don't think anyone in their 3 tier service model will give you a useful answer based off of the point above. Even if you got an answer how will that change what the current situation is.
Frankly I'd figure out a way to buy from Google and screw the run around because I bet you there are people holding out hope for an early exploit like we had on the Pixel which is highly unlikely.
Unless you can find how bootloaders are in violation of the block C rules, this is a losing battle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's definitely not a security issue , if they were worried about it on their end , the network end , I would never have been running unlocked bootloader devices on their network for better part of a decade. There's no reason they can give other than " we don't want people messing with their phone "
I honestly don't care if they hang up on me when I call , but they greyed out a switch and left a message to contact them so that's what I'll do since I guess no one else ever has . I'll laugh if they do unlock it for me ......
Again I was merely trying to suggest ways to attack the problem , I'm surprised there isn't more of a will to over come the problem simply because it's a challenge , not go buy a google version . I did buy a google version , screw Verizon . I'll find a way to unlock it or someone who can , or they will .
Xda has changed a lot..... [emoji53]
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
bsmitty83 said:
It's definitely not a security issue , if they were worried about it on their end , the network end , I would never have been running unlocked bootloader devices on their network for better part of a decade. There's no reason they can give other than " we don't want people messing with their phone "
I honestly don't care if they hang up on me when I call , but they greyed out a switch and left a message to contact them so that's what I'll do since I guess no one else ever has . I'll laugh if they do unlock it for me ......
Again I was merely trying to suggest ways to attack the problem , I'm surprised there isn't more of a will to over come the problem simply because it's a challenge , not go buy a google version . I did buy a google version , screw Verizon . I'll find a way to unlock it or someone who can , or they will .
Xda has changed a lot..... [emoji53]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Them allowing you to run an unlocked device has nothing to do with what they sell. They can't prevent you from using a compatible device if their network supports it and it isn't black listed. That's an FCC rule, plain and simple. Has nothing to do with the bootloader on your device.
XDA hasn't changed, the fact that you think this battle is brand new and we are blazing a trail just shows a short sightedness of the community.
There have been hundreds of petitions created, there have been pushes in various device threads to flood the FCC with requests to elevate the issue. Verizon as well as other carriers have literally had lawsuits levied against them. This has literally been going on for YEARS.
Please tell me after reading all that what calling and wasting the time of tech support is gonna do.
The real funny thing is someone that thinks they can call tech support and simply get your bootloader unlocked. That is hilarious.
Tell me who do you think designed and very likely has the means to unlock the boot loader on your GOOGLE Pixel? Hint, it isn't Verizon.
Verizon didn't develop the patch that blocked the exploit either. So what do you really think Verizon is gonna do to help you by calling tech support.
You want your bootloader unlocked? Get super friendly with a Google Android engineer, get super smart with Android period, or get a lawyer.
Xda hasn't changed, the mobile market has changed and it is making it harder to feel bad for people that buy subsidized carrier phones and then cry about locked bootloaders
Especially when affordable unlocked devices exist. But hey, screw logic. Let's go harass CSRs like their jobs don't suck enough.
pcriz said:
Them allowing you to run an unlocked device has nothing to do with what they sell. They can't prevent you from using a compatible device if their network supports it and it isn't black listed. That's an FCC rule, plain and simple. Has nothing to do with the bootloader on your device.
XDA hasn't changed, the fact that you think this battle is brand new and we are blazing a trail just shows a short sightedness of the community.
There have been hundreds of petitions created, there have been pushes in various device threads to flood the FCC with requests to elevate the issue. Verizon as well as other carriers have literally had lawsuits levied against them. This has literally been going on for YEARS.
Please tell me after reading all that what calling and wasting the time of tech support is gonna do.
The real funny thing is someone that thinks they can call tech support and simply get your bootloader unlocked. That is hilarious.
Tell me who do you think designed and very likely has the means to unlock the boot loader on your GOOGLE Pixel? Hint, it isn't Verizon.
Verizon didn't develop the patch that blocked the exploit either. So what do you really think Verizon is gonna do to help you by calling tech support.
You want your bootloader unlocked? Get super friendly with a Google Android engineer, get super smart with Android period, or get a lawyer.
Xda hasn't changed, the mobile market has changed and it is making it harder to feel bad for people that buy subsidized carrier phones and then cry about locked bootloaders
Especially when affordable unlocked devices exist. But hey, screw logic. Let's go harass CSRs like their jobs don't suck enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I wasn't being clear enough . All I was trying to understand is why its locked in the first place . My Nexus 6 was never locked by Verizon . What if I paid full price outright for it from Verizon ? Why would they care what I do with the phone once its paid for ? What would be the difference if I bought it from google and put a Verizon sim card in it ? You sound so keen on defending the company and their poor hapless CSR's lol .
I don't care about the petitions or any of what your telling me .
I have no interest in lawsuits , simply finding a means to unlock my bootloader .
I could care less if it was htc that designed the patch , or google or apple.
I'm looking to find a way to make it work because it's something to do .
It's about unlocking it , that's it . People on this site used to be about finding solutions to problems , that's all .
Tell me what's wrong with that logic.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
bsmitty83 said:
I guess I wasn't being clear enough . All I was trying to understand is why its locked in the first place . My Nexus 6 was never locked by Verizon . What if I paid full price outright for it from Verizon ? Why would they care what I do with the phone once its paid for ? What would be the difference if I bought it from google and put a Verizon sim card in it ? You sound so keen on defending the company and their poor hapless CSR's lol .
I don't care about the petitions or any of what your telling me .
I have no interest in lawsuits , simply finding a means to unlock my bootloader .
I could care less if it was htc that designed the patch , or google or apple.
I'm looking to find a way to make it work because it's something to do .
It's about unlocking it , that's it . People on this site used to be about finding solutions to problems , that's all .
Tell me what's wrong with that logic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you don't care about fighting the market status quo of carriers locking devices which would be a preventative measure to help all mobile device users. Got it...
You want to know why it's locked and how to unlock it, but can't trouble yourself with asking questions to the right people. Got it..
Part of solution finding is narrowing down all the efforts that have failed or won't work for obvious reason, like calling them and saying why is my phone bootloader locked, calling them and asking if they can unlock it. Yet the fact that I don't agree with that means there is inherently something wrong with XDA.
I mention legal means as it relates to their block c spectrum purchase, you don't want to hear that. Again let me say again you have to make comment that XDA has changed. But yet another path ignored.
I get it now so I will agree to disagree, some people want thumbs up and yes men around them instead of well rounded opinions.
I tell you what. If you call and they tell you how to unlock your device I will Google wallet you 50 bucks.
pcriz said:
So you don't care about fighting the market status quo of carriers locking devices which would be a preventative measure to help all mobile device users. Got it...
You want to know why it's locked and how to unlock it, but can't trouble yourself with asking questions to the right people. Got it..
Part of solution finding is narrowing down all the efforts that have failed or won't work for obvious reason, like calling them and saying why is my phone bootloader locked, calling them and asking if they can unlock it. Yet the fact that I don't agree with that means there is inherently something wrong with XDA.
I mention legal means as it relates to their block c spectrum purchase, you don't want to hear that. Again let me say again you have to make comment that XDA has changed. But yet another path ignored.
I get it now so I will agree to disagree, some people want thumbs up and yes men around them instead of well rounded opinions.
I tell you what. If you call and they tell you how to unlock your device I will Google wallet you 50 bucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not interested in fighting the status quo , no .
I'm into actual software development . Hands on stuff . I'm not a politician .
Your trying to give me solutions to a problem that isn't relevant to my immediate problem. I was looking for software related fixes .
Your too hung up on me calling Verizon lol . It was more tongue in cheek than anything , and it was an edit to my post about finding a workaround to the greyed out settings switch . That was all .
So again if you have any advice on how to unlock the bootloader , which is what I'm trying to do , not fight the man , please advise .
That's the spirit of xda , software development , not "fighting market status quo"
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
So what did Verizon say?
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
stinger4321 said:
So what did Verizon say?
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My understanding is that Verizon suggested multi-pronged approach, including,
1. Call VZW customer service
2. Hire a lawyer
3. Complain to the FCC independent of your attorney
4. Start a thread on xda
4.1. Generically denigrate the quality and state of development on xda
4.2. Misspell "you're" as often as you please
4.3. Kvetch at xda users, including @pcriz
5. "Thank you for calling Verizon"
I believe that buying directly from Google was never mentioned.
Lol®
micmars said:
My understanding is that Verizon suggested multi-pronged approach, including,
1. Call VZW customer service
2. Hire a lawyer
3. Complain to the FCC independent of your attorney
4. Start a thread on xda
4.1. Generically denigrate the quality and state of development on xda
4.2. Misspell "you're" as often as you please
4.3. Kvetch at xda users, including @pcriz
5. "Thank you for calling Verizon"
I believe that buying directly from Google was never mentioned.
Lol®
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol
micmars said:
My understanding is that Verizon suggested multi-pronged approach, including,
1. Call VZW customer service
2. Hire a lawyer
3. Complain to the FCC independent of your attorney
4. Start a thread on xda
4.1. Generically denigrate the quality and state of development on xda
4.2. Misspell "you're" as often as you please
4.3. Kvetch at xda users, including @pcriz
5. "Thank you for calling Verizon"
I believe that buying directly from Google was never mentioned.
Lol®
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol.. i figured he hadn't called yet.. just liked blowing smoke in here...But I did unlock my bootloader.... Sold it on swappa... Now waiting on pixel prices to drop or waiting for pixel 2.. meantime rocking my nexus 6 which has more support then the pixel...
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
I've called Verizon on the locked bootloader issue when I was stuck on O beta and trying to downgrade. I first called Google because I unenrolled the beta and never got the OTA to go back to 7.1.2. They told me to flash the image but I told them I couldn't since the bl is locked. The rep told me to call VZW to have them unlock it so I called them and the VZW rep was all "wut, we don't fool around with OS, call Google and tell them to unlock it." I called Google and was told they couldn't unlock it. I seriously miss root.

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