Droid X

[tatteredpotato]

On a side note, and I'm not totally up on laws here so someone correct me if I'm wrong, but locking the bootloader seems like a violation of the GPL..

I believe that the GPL only requires them to release modifications to source code... they can still encrypt and lock binaries all they want though. IANAL

 

[Platypus]

I believe that the GPL only requires them to release modifications to source code... they can still encrypt and lock binaries all they want though. IANAL

Agreed, but I believe GPLv2 requires that all components required for kernel installation be given out with the kernel source. It's definitely against the spirit of the GPL if not some ridiculous loophole they're exploiting.

 

[destrekor]

Motorola is really fucking themselves in the ass with this signed and/or encrypted bootloader and eFuse bullshit. They have the power to completely change the game because the devices they are putting out are quality, but for absolutely moronic unknown business decisions they have decided to cripple their phones for absolutely no reason. The only thing that makes sense is pressure from Verizon.

It really doesn't matter though. The software to fix a 'blown' eFuse will leak from Moto eventually, just like rsdlite did. There is no point in them trying to stop the Android community from modifying their handsets, which is really the most frustrating thing. They have the power completely own this emerging market by offering a high quality handset that allows for full control to the end user. All they have to do is put a warning screen that acknowledges you are voiding your warranty and that covers them completely.

On a side note, and I'm not totally up on laws here so someone correct me if I'm wrong, but locking the bootloader seems like a violation of the GPL. I wonder how all the pissed off UK'ers are going to handle the Milestone issue. If it truly does violate the GPL, I hope they fuck Motorola hard. I will not buy another Moto device because of this horeshit. I despise HTC build quality but I might have to move to that, unless they decide to play the same games.

My absolutely favorite part of this situation is that the Moto PR rep basically said if you want to modify your handset in this fashion to purchase a developer phone like an HTC Nexus One. They actually recommended their competition. Mind = fucking blown. Get your head out of your ass Moto and you could be back on top.

Seriously.
Now, I am not too worried at the moment, because I already have my Droid rooted and overclocked to hell and I plan on keeping this phone until LTE smartphones are released.

When they build their true top of the line Android phones, they are investing a great deal of effort into building them like tanks. I absolutely LOVE Motorola for stepping back into the phone game with the Droid, and they regained a lot of consumer confidence with the first Droid.

They will be able to keep a large majority of that confidence earned, as most people have no idea what root is, and some just have no intention of ever rooting their phones.

But if they commit to playing this game with the bootloaders for all their future Droid-brand phones, I will be seriously pissed. HTC makes some appealing phones, but the Motorola phones just have amazing build quality and I would definitely look to Moto first for my next phone. That is, as long as they don't pull something retarded. Maybe only the Droid X will have this, and not the Droid 2. Not that I'm buying either, but that'll at least keep me a fan of Motorola and able to recommend at least one phone to friends or family.
Well take that back, as if I know someone will never root their device or even do anything special, I'll probably recommend the Droid X or Droid 2. But for the Android community at large, it is quite the blow.

As far as GPL, I don't really know. I wouldn't think it violates any GPL but I could be wrong.

 

[Pliablemoose]

My absolutely favorite part of this situation is that the Moto PR rep basically said if you want to modify your handset in this fashion to purchase a developer phone like an HTC Nexus One. They actually recommended their competition. Mind = fucking blown. Get your head out of your ass Moto and you could be back on top.

I've been waiting for the other shoe to drop from Verizon, Moto likely got a better deal from them by locking down their phones.

 

[Platypus]

Seriously.
Now, I am not too worried at the moment, because I already have my Droid rooted and overclocked to hell and I plan on keeping this phone until LTE smartphones are released.

When they build their true top of the line Android phones, they are investing a great deal of effort into building them like tanks. I absolutely LOVE Motorola for stepping back into the phone game with the Droid, and they regained a lot of consumer confidence with the first Droid.

They will be able to keep a large majority of that confidence earned, as most people have no idea what root is, and some just have no intention of ever rooting their phones.

But if they commit to playing this game with the bootloaders for all their future Droid-brand phones, I will be seriously pissed. HTC makes some appealing phones, but the Motorola phones just have amazing build quality and I would definitely look to Moto first for my next phone. That is, as long as they don't pull something retarded. Maybe only the Droid X will have this, and not the Droid 2. Not that I'm buying either, but that'll at least keep me a fan of Motorola and able to recommend at least one phone to friends or family.
Well take that back, as if I know someone will never root their device or even do anything special, I'll probably recommend the Droid X or Droid 2. But for the Android community at large, it is quite the blow.

As far as GPL, I don't really know. I wouldn't think it violates any GPL but I could be wrong.

Moto has confirmed that all phones going forward will be locked, no question about it. Their strategic business decision to not lock the Droid is dubious at best, and their switch-aroo with the Milestone is some dirty fucking pool at best and downright disengenious.

As far as the GPL thing, I did some reading and it seems like as long as they release the source code for the bootloader they are able to lock it down by calling it a compiled binary.. but again that could be total BS.

It's not like HTC and the like wont follow suit.. this is likely a growing trend.

 

[Glitchny]

To those complaining about EFuse. It is/was in the Droid/Milestone ANY OMAP3 Device. It comes as PART OF THE CHIPSET. So it could be there and not used like it is on the Droid or it could be being used, so far nobody knows.