AT&T to customers > Screw you!

[Bateluer]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/01/...ally-ignores-criticism-for-locking-down-andr/

Official response explaining why AT&T locks down the Backflip and Aria.

AT&T selected Android Market as the exclusive source for applications because it forces developers to be accountable for the apps they submit. If the Android community has issues with an app, the app can be flagged and removed. This minimizes the risk of malicious apps harming customers and provides more protection to the customer's private data stored on the phone.

I'm glad for more Android phones, but locking them down like this basically makes them effectively, a non starter. Worse than a signed bootloader.

 

[dougp]

Let's see, both other handsets restrict how you can install apps. Apple is only via the AppStore, and the new WP7 handsets will only be through their version of an AppStore. I can easily understand why AT&T does this, but I don't have to like it. It's also not going to prevent me from going to an Android handset since AT&T is my only choice (family & work restrictions.)

 

[SunnyD]

Root the phone and put the rom of your choice on there. Bam, no more restrictions.

 

[Bateluer]

Root the phone and put the rom of your choice on there. Bam, no more restrictions.

Oops, both AT&T's Android phones have signed bootloaders, can't install a full rom, such as Cyanogen. Tweaked AT&T Android builds, yes, fully roms built from source will be a no go until the boot loader is broken and the phone rooted.

Edit - In all fairness though, VZW and Sprint's Android phones also have gimped bootloaders.

 

[dougp]

Oops, both AT&T's Android phones have signed bootloaders, can't install a full rom, such as Cyanogen. Tweaked AT&T Android builds, yes, fully roms built from source will be a no go until the boot loader is broken and the phone rooted.

Edit - In all fairness though, VZW and Sprint's Android phones also have gimped bootloaders.

Also looks like most are coming out with signed bootloaders in the future.

 

[abaez]

EVO does not have a signed bootloader. It was locked but that was broken by toast. The only Android phones that actually have a digitally signed bootloader at the moment is the Incredible and Milestone (which is why they have essentially taken months to root - but no custom ROMs).

The Droid 1 doesn't have a signed OR locked bootloader. It would seem the the Droid X will have a signed one (seems like Verizon is requiring them to be signed and locked).

 

[dougp]

EVO does not have a signed bootloader. It was locked but that was broken by toast. The only Android phone that actually has a signed bootloader at the moment is the Incredible (which is why it's essentially taken months to root - but no custom ROMs).

The Droid 1 doesn't have a signed OR locked bootloader. It would seem the the Droid X will have a signed one (seems like Verizon is requiring them to be signed and locked).

Sorry, probably should have corrected myself. Yes to the Verizon comment.

 

[Bateluer]

The Droid 1 doesn't have a signed OR locked bootloader. It would seem the the Droid X will have a signed one (seems like Verizon is requiring them to be signed and locked).

And I can assure them that that will factor heavily in my choices of a replacement down the line for my Droid 1.

You'd think with all the fan faire that VZW had around the Droid 1's launch, they'd have learned a little.

 

[abaez]

And I can assure them that that will factor heavily in my choices of a replacement down the line for my Droid 1.

You'd think with all the fan faire that VZW had around the Droid 1's launch, they'd have learned a little.

I don't think the Droid 1's success came from it having an unlocked/unsigned bootloader.

 

[tatteredpotato]

I don't think the Droid 1's success came from it having an unlocked/unsigned bootloader.

What?? Just the other day my grandma was talking about how pumped she was to get the Droid because of the unlocked bootloader!

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Let's see, both other handsets restrict how you can install apps. Apple is only via the AppStore, and the new WP7 handsets will only be through their version of an AppStore. I can easily understand why AT&T does this, but I don't have to like it. It's also not going to prevent me from going to an Android handset since AT&T is my only choice (family & work restrictions.)

No because Android has the inherent option to allow you to install off-market apps. I disagree with carrier meddling in my OS. I don't like how tethering, a strictly phone feature only, is now becoming a paid option for carriers. This is just bullshit.

Here, think of it this way.

When you pay for subscription, you pay for a phone, a black box to connect to the AT&T network, another black box. That's what it is. A BLACK BOX. AT&T now thinks it can mess up the black box and stick its own gadgets/limitations into the box. Well that's crap.

I don't think the Droid 1's success came from it having an unlocked/unsigned bootloader.

Part of it is. The Motorola Milestone has a tinyass audience overseas. Almost no development is done because it has a locked bootloader. No one even really talks about it. In fact, not many people here even know about the Milestone.

But I agree the bigger part of D1's success was VZW finally getting a super-phone.

 

[dougp]

No because Android has the inherent option to allow you to install off-market apps. I disagree with carrier meddling in my OS. I don't like how tethering, a strictly phone feature only, is now becoming a paid option for carriers. This is just bullshit.

Here, think of it this way.

When you pay for subscription, you pay for a phone, a black box to connect to the AT&T network, another black box. That's what it is. A BLACK BOX. AT&T now thinks it can mess up the black box and stick its own gadgets/limitations into the box. Well that's crap.




Part of it is. The Motorola Milestone has a tinyass audience overseas. Almost no development is done because it has a locked bootloader. No one even really talks about it. In fact, not many people here even know about the Milestone.

But I agree the bigger part of D1's success was VZW finally getting a super-phone.

I think you misunderstand - I never said I agreed with it.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I think you misunderstand - I never said I agreed with it.

Oh I know you don't agree, but the iPhone example is a little different. The phone and OS was designed to be restrictive in that sense to begin with. I don't think that's the correct analogy as AT&T is not restricting the iPhone any more than Apple is. I don't know about WP7, but WinMo 6 allows you to install off market apps obviously. In the case of these Android phones, AT&T is putting its own clamps down to further restrict the OS.

 

[ChaiBabbaChai]

I agree with their PR response. So screw YOU.

I'm gettin' an Aria. LOL