Bootloader? Encrypted or not?

[tgyberg]

No doubt, previous Nexus devices shipped with locked bootloaders which were easily unlocked. The question is, did Verizon make Samsung/Google encrypt the bootloader a la Motorola?

There's no way it's VZW making Moto encrypt the bootloader. Moto is the only mfg that does it so I'm not sure why things would be any different. If this were the Moto Galaxy Nexus, then we'd have reason to sweat it!

[sbenson]

There's no way it's VZW making Moto encrypt the bootloader. Moto is the only mfg that does it so I'm not sure why things would be any different. If this were the Moto Galaxy Nexus, then we'd have reason to sweat it!

When put on the spot, Moto officially blamed Verizon.

[BL4Z3D247]

No doubt, previous Nexus devices shipped with locked bootloaders which were easily unlocked. The question is, did Verizon make Samsung/Google encrypt the bootloader a la Motorola?

I can't see Google allowing Verizon to lock it down hardcore like Motorola. Google knows if they did the Nexus brand will be tarnished as it wouldn't be a pure Google phone with a tightly locked bootloader. Google understands that users don't want to be told they can't do what they want to do with the phone they just paid for. That's like a car dealership saying you can't install an aftermarket system into the car you just paid for. I'm going to go and say if it's locked down there will be a way to unlock it easily. You just have to have faith in Google because I don't think we would be seeing a Nexus device on Verizon unless Verizon agreed to let Google do what they do best.

[NewAge]

Verizon doesnt have the resources (thankgod) to encrypt bootloaders. They make the recomendations to the manufacturer. Encrypting a bootloader means its Locked. Nexus devices are GED Dev devices and therefor require the bootloader to be accessable. Every other VZW device has some sort of lock on the bootloader, except D1 and Xoom. Others may be unlocked via third party or HTC allows on some via web, but not ideal.

[Liderc]

Locked or unlocked, this is the phone I want. I think we can all agree it's the only phone being released with the "whole package."

We're getting ICS from the start, which is a huge selling point personally, just having that new OS will feel very refreshing.

I agree that we should be worried, Verizon has never given us any reason not to, so hopefully it's unlocked, if not, we'll deal with it later.

[patmw123]

There's no way it's VZW making Moto encrypt the bootloader. Moto is the only mfg that does it so I'm not sure why things would be any different. If this were the Moto Galaxy Nexus, then we'd have reason to sweat it!

Verizon doesnt have the resources (thankgod) to encrypt bootloaders. They make the recomendations to the manufacturer. Encrypting a bootloader means its Locked. Nexus devices are GED Dev devices and therefor require the bootloader to be accessable. Every other VZW device has some sort of lock on the bootloader, except D1 and Xoom. Others may be unlocked via third party or HTC allows on some via web, but not ideal.

Yeah I think it is just a matter of Moto's security being better than the others. I really wouldn't worry too much about this phone being locked/encrypted like the moto phones. Just my opinion, but I feel like we are forgetting that this is a Nexus...

[pc747]

The nexus is a development phone it has to be easily unlocked. Googe and vzw will release it like they do the other nexus phones. Like someone said above, it may ship locked but be easily unlock-able and ready to go.

[OriginalDroid]

The only thing regarding a lock and this phone should be the two year contract I lock myself into when I get it.

I don't think we'll have a problem with the bootloader, but I don't think we'll be able to avoid atleast a smidgen of bloatware, thankfully, one of ICS's new features is making that nasty stuff vanish.

[Detonation]

There's no way it's VZW making Moto encrypt the bootloader. Moto is the only mfg that does it so I'm not sure why things would be any different. If this were the Moto Galaxy Nexus, then we'd have reason to sweat it!

The European version of the RAZR has an unlocked bootloader. It is locked in the US (Verizon) because Verizon specifically requested that it be, according to Moto.