Droid RAZR Will Have Unlockable Bootloader for International Version

[JSM9872]

I guess if we want to get technical here, the previous Nexus phones shipped with "locked" bootloaders...

True. Everything that I am aware of ships with a locked one. The difference is encrypted vs not. We were saying unlocked when we should have been saying unlockable or not encrypted.

[loki993]

I guess if we want to get technical here, the previous Nexus phones shipped with "locked" bootloaders. However, Google provided bootloader unlocking via a AOSP fastboot utility. When this is done, the user is presented with a disclaimer stating that warranty and insurance is void. If this info is able to be obtained by Verizon, I don't know what the big deal is, assuming they have access to it? Brick your phone? Sorry, you agreed to assume the risk. Insurance? Sorry, you waived your rights. It's pretty simple. Tethering? Well, I bet tether users make up < 1% of Verizon's total customers. Yeah, they want us to stop, but we barely make a dent in their network.

right, which makes the whole issue of locking the bootloaders silly anyway, but for whatever reason they do it anyway. It just kinda sucks, Id like to have an unlocked bootloader to run all the different kernels and the like that will surly come out for a phone that is unlocked. However Im not totally in love with the Nexus, which leaves me a bit of a dilemma.

[sbenson]

True. I will remain skeptical but optimistic on the subject. Everyone knows Google's stance on Nexus devices. Everyone also knows Verizon's stance on Android devices in general. Maybe they found some middle ground? Maybe Google said take it or leave it. We'll just have to wait and see.

Edit: And to add to this, Verizon Samsung devices in the past have had easily defeated bootloaders (locked but not encrypted - huge difference) anyway, so I truly believe there's nothing to worry about here.

[tgyberg]

^Same goes for the HTC phones, bootloaders are unlocked on VZW. loki, another thing to remeber is with the options for custom kernals, the GN is that much more future proof.

[loki993]

^Same goes for the HTC phones, bootloaders are unlocked on VZW. loki, another thing to remeber is with the options for custom kernals, the GN is that much more future proof.

True, I mean look at how long people have been able to get by with their OG Droids. Ill just have to see it, see if I like it. I'm actually anxiously awaiting something official on the Vigor, because I feel like that could be pretty decent. Seems people obviously complained about the Tbolts though. Ive also heard some things about signal quality issues in general with HTC phones. I don't want anything to do with that.

[newparadigm]

Ive also heard some things about signal quality issues in general with HTC phones. I don't want anything to do with that.

I've not had any problems with my (CM7 with incredikernel) Dinc.

I will wait a while after release of all three, see what's on the horizon and go from there. I'd kind of like a bit faster processor and 4G, but otherwise happy with the Dinc.

I would like to add, that I as a non-dev "regular user" fully appreciate the kernel importance. I like basically vanilla android, but want kernel flexibility to optimize the hardware and get updates without waiting on the carriers. Maybe this (the incredikernel) is why I have no signal issues with the Dinc? T-bolt users I believe have had similar experiences.

[prime]

I believe there are "rules" for a device to be a nexus branded handset....I just can't recall what they are offhand.

[sb1831]

I believe there are "rules" for a device to be a nexus branded handset....I just can't recall what they are offhand.

I don't think that applies anymore since they gave Samsung top billing in this one. Nexus 1 and the Nexus S were phones where they had no real Manufacturer affiliation. Being that they attached the Nexus name to the Galaxy name, I'm not sure what to expect to be honest. Yes the Nexus devices have always been open in the past, but they've never been tied to a known product line. I hope it's open bc quite frankly I still enjoy playing with my N1

[sbenson]

I don't think that applies anymore since they gave Samsung top billing in this one. Nexus 1 and the Nexus S were phones where they had no real Manufacturer affiliation. Being that they attached the Nexus name to the Galaxy name, I'm not sure what to expect to be honest. Yes the Nexus devices have always been open in the past, but they've never been tied to a known product line. I hope it's open bc quite frankly I still enjoy playing with my N1

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the "S" in Nexus S alluding to its affiliation with other Galaxy "S" devices from last year. Same manufacturer and similar design. Maybe I'm off base here...