Related
I'm kind of angry that HTC chooses to do this I mean after all we all purchased this phone therefor we should have the right to do as we please with it, correct?Sure its not really getting anything done on the rooting scene but the least we can do is tell them we're dissatisfied with their closed approach to Android.
http://twitter.com/htc
http://www.htc.com/www/about_htc_bymail.aspx
HTC Headquarters
23 Hsin Hua Rd., Taoyuan 330,
Taiwan, R. O. C.
Tel: +886-3-3753252
Fax: +886-3-3753251
I assume its due to new apps such as: netflix, hulu, move rentals and other apps that require a lockdown. I don't think HTC would like to see their hard work (HTC Sense) on other devices lowering the need for upgrades: example, the two Incredibles if you install sense 2.0 or skyraider 4.0 the need for Incredible 2 lowers quite a bit. I plan on jumping on Incredible 2 just because of its design. It is exactly what I wanted in the first Incredible. I'm all up more for unlocked HTC phones
I sent them an email and got the following response...
Thank you for your feedback regarding the Incredible 2. Unfortunately I do not have information about whether the bootloader is locked or how it can be customized to allow you to install a custom ROM. Because we focus on supporting the software included on the device and assisting users with free technical support we are only able to support the aspects of the device as they are developed by ourselves and your carrier, in this case Verizon.
That said, however, we do value your feedback. You will see an invitation to provide our company with recorded, documented feedback in the signature of my email to you. The ratings at the top are your opportunity to rate my response to you and then there is a comment section that allows you to make your opinions known to HTC itself, rather than to simply the representative who corresponds with you. I would encourage you to submit your opinion there as well, even if you just copy and paste most of your initial email to us.
We track this feedback and it does make a difference in our product decisions. If it turns out the bootloader is locked down with a secure key or other method, your feedback using the survey system may convince the powers that be to change this in a future update.
In regard to your inquiry regarding an API for the Sense interface, any application or widget targeted for Android should work in HTC Sense, so you should be able to use the Android APIs for your development purposes and this will also allow your application to work on phones that do not run HTC Sense, such as competitor phones or even some of our devices like the G2. That said, there are additional resources where you can get information about developing on HTC and Android devices:
http://www.htcmobilitynow.com/ This is a site that allows you to request to partner with us for application development or suggest a business opportunity, if you would like.
http://developer.htc.com/ This URL contains kernel and GPL-covered source code for our devices. Source is generally published within 90 days of a product release but it normally does not take that long.
To send a reply to this message or let me know I have successfully answered your question log in to our ContactUs site using your email address and your ticket number AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.
Sincerely,
Douglas
HTC
Want to see what others are saying? Have a question to ask other HTC fans?
Become a fan of HTC facebook.com/htc
Follow us on Twitter twitter.com/htc
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel youtube.com/htc
Explore our development resources developer.htc.com
We are unable to receive replies to this email account. Please visit us at htc.com if you have any questions or need further assistance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty much just seems like a regular copy paste brush off response.
HTC has some very good reasons for locking devices down, and I don't blame them at all. Their setup is very nice for the average consumer.
I support OEMs locking their hardware in general, however I also support (and am active in) unlocking them. What they really need to do is find a workable solution, like enabling oem unlock.
tylerch said:
I'm kind of angry that HTC chooses to do this I mean after all we all purchased this phone therefor we should have the right to do as we please with it, correct?Sure its not really getting anything done on the rooting scene but the least we can do is tell them we're dissatisfied with their closed approach to Android.
http://twitter.com/htc
http://www.htc.com/www/about_htc_bymail.aspx
HTC Headquarters
23 Hsin Hua Rd., Taoyuan 330,
Taiwan, R. O. C.
Tel: +886-3-3753252
Fax: +886-3-3753251
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have seen a lot of boilerplate brush-offs in my life, and while that HTC rep wasn't able to help get anything done in some concrete form, the letter was not based on a template. Sure they were 2 or 3 paragraphs that sounded stock, but I am guessing (and was very surprised considering what I have seen from HTC on other occasions) that the letter took a longer than average amount of time to write... I do not think it would not be considered a brush off.
And it makes sense... If there is any industry right now which is being carefully watched because of the world's acknowledged impact of it on an individual's daily life, both professional and personal, it is mobile communication and the development thereof. There is an extraordinary amount of money to be made and lost here. HTC is a newcomer through good fortune and I doubt anyone expected them to be sitting next to motorola, samsung, LG, etc. 3 years ago. In this age of social media where 4000 people complaining on a Facebook page can change a corporate policy, HTC is not ignoring any group. And not one with the power we have.
Look at T-Mobile, while I still think their customer device is mediocre, as third place carrier, I have noticed a distinct catering to the "enthusiast" segment of android. Now this doesn't mean they are going to have every phone released sporting a wide open OS like the G1, but their phones are relatively easy to root (wake up Motorola!), and the caliber of their phones (design, cutting edge technology like dual core) is far and away better than the other carriers out there.
I am starting to ramble, but my point is this is a crucial time in an area that we happen to be a big part of. If you don't think the manufacturers or the carriers are keeping a close eye on this board's membership, or the number of people served by CM7, your wrong.. We have the power to turn the carriers and the manufacturers future business plans on their ear. (With early attempts at a "kitchen"... man, that had to make them tremble a bit.) And this enthusiast market is only going to snowball, even if not for true enthusiasts, then for all the people that just want someone to root and re-theme their phone. Trust me, they care.
EDIT: Bottom line, the OP is making a smart suggestion.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App
I certainly expected them to be sitting were they are 3 years ago. 5 years ago, no. Hadn't heard of them yet.
Also that was not a stock brush off. Everytime I've contacted HTC I've been happily surprised with their answers. She told you what we need to do to change it so let's do it!
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
I agree with jcase that manufacturers and service providers have legitimate reasons for the locking of their respective devices.
One being the protection of their oem software as stated. Another is fraudulent device returns for devices bricked or otherwise rendered inoperable by something done at root level. Lastly the hot topic of rooted tethering and wifi hot spot which are paid services.
So that being said set aside your anger and look at it from their point of view.
I am a rooted user who takes full advantage of my devices potential. I hope that there is a solution in the not too distant future that will both protect the manufacturers and providers interests yet give us the option to modify our devices as we see fit.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
Why not just do what computer manufacturers have done for years? Have a recovery procedure. Or what the nook color did and always boot first off the sd card. Half of the reason that bricking occurs is as a result of circumventing the security. If there was a way to always boot off an sd card people could always restore it. No more bricked phones.. and everyone is happy.
Sent from my ADR6350 using XDA App
Are you guys serious? HTC has been around for ages (1997) theyre one of the pioneers in pda/smartphone and touchscreen technology. First windows pda, first windows based phone, first 3g cdma smartphone, first android smartphone and first 4g smartphone. They've been innovative when LG and Moto thought the razr and shine were bleeding edge lol. I had NO doubt they would have a seat upon high. ;-)
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
efaden said:
Why not just do what computer manufacturers have done for years? Have a recovery procedure. Or what the nook color did and always boot first off the sd card. Half of the reason that bricking occurs is as a result of circumventing the security. If there was a way to always boot off an sd card people could always restore it. No more bricked phones.. and everyone is happy.
Sent from my ADR6350 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC already does this, but many of us are dicking with the bootloader, which handles this. Once you mess with the bootloader, the possibility of bricking is very real.
Locking down the bootloader was Verizon's idea. Not HTC's. They would rather sell them unlocked. Only the carrier wants them locked. Just think about it and you will see why the manufacturers are forced to do so. There is no point contacting HTC. Please send such emails to Verizon. Please do bug HTC to sell unlocked boot loader devices on the net.
Sent from my thunderbolt
HTC first did this on a non carrier branded phone first. The whole "it is Verizon" argument is silly, it is a reaction to the industry and carriers as a whole.
Don't blame Verizon solely, HTC wants this.
Sent from my LG Revolution
jcase said:
HTC first did this on a non carrier branded phone first. The whole "it is Verizon" argument is silly, it is a reaction to the industry and carriers as a whole.
Don't blame Verizon solely, HTC wants this.
Sent from my LG Revolution
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. It would make sense if the only locked ones were the VZW branded, etc.... but unbranded phones are also locked.
efaden said:
I agree. It would make sense if the only locked ones were the VZW branded, etc.... but unbranded phones are also locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the incS has XTC support, and touchpro hooked raskal up with his verizon inc2 so lets pray we get support for the inc2!!!
jcase said:
HTC first did this on a non carrier branded phone first. The whole "it is Verizon" argument is silly, it is a reaction to the industry and carriers as a whole.
Don't blame Verizon solely, HTC wants this.
Sent from my LG Revolution
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually the difficulties with rooting has not been carrier specific. In fact, the troubles started with the myTouch Slide on T-Mobile then the G2 on T-Mobile and now the Incredible 2 on Verizon, the Evo Shift on Sprint, and the Thunderbolt on Verizon.
Seems like this is more HTC than the specific carrier to me.
This is good news. HTC is reviewing their bootloader policy:
http://www.androidcentral.com/htc-were-reviewing-our-bootloader-policy
Hopefully they'll let us unlock the bootloaders of phones they already released, like the Inc S and Inc 2.
finitybeyond said:
This is good news. HTC is reviewing their bootloader policy:
http://www.androidcentral.com/htc-were-reviewing-our-bootloader-policy
Hopefully they'll let us unlock the bootloaders of phones they already released, like the Inc S and Inc 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was just about to post this! I hope they let us unlock the bootloaders.
Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk
And who says Facebook, Twitter, and other social media is completely useless
LowFire82 said:
And who says Facebook, Twitter, and other social media is completely useless
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found this on the HTC Facebook page..
"There has been overwhelmingly customer feedback that people want access to open bootloaders on HTC phones. I want you to know that we've listened. Today, I'm confirming we will no longer be locking the bootloaders on our devices. Thanks for your passion, support and patience," Peter Chou, CEO of HTC
Hell yea I was just about to post that as well! I hope this means they will provide means to unlock currently locked phones.
I know it doesn't sound very good, but what does it cost you to register an account and make a post...?
https ://supportforums.motorola.com/thread/62548
To whom it may concern,
I'm writing to ask for your favor - Please provide us, some enterprising Defy (MB525) owners, a way to unlock the bootloader.
Rationale:
1. You are providing means to unlock the bootloader on many newer devices already, and it shouldn't cost you much to provide us a mean to unlock the Defy as well.
2. The warranty of many of our Defy devices is expiring, so even if we brick our devices, we couldn't file a warranty claim anyway.
3. The Defy is the 2nd most popular devices running CyanogenMod according to http ://stats.cyanogenmod.com/, so we have a huge following.
4. If you allow us to unlock the bootloader, we will consider it as a gesture of goodwill and will be more willing to recommend our families and friends to buy Motorola devices in future.
5. Many other manufacturers have started to unlock their bootloaders and by comparison, Motorola is doing very poorly and has a bad image in our mind.
6. Many of us bought the Defy without any carrier subsidy.
7. Come on! Give us a Christmas gift, okay?
Thanks very much for your attention.
A Defy Owner
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats like writing to the president. 0% progress
Well at least we can say we tried.
defy_owner said:
I know it doesn't sound very good, but what does it cost you to register an account and make a post...?
https ://supportforums.motorola.com/thread/62548
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hate these posts about "Motorola unlocking bootloader". I'm not sure many know, but Mororola is fine with unlocking the bootloader, it is the carrier that isn't.
Sony Ericsson
That statistic does show thought, that nearly 49000 defy owners are dissatisfied with the stock rom, that should be something for them to look at.
they cant update their product
and wont even let us do it ourselves, what kind of logic is that?
so its the carriers problem yes? why aren't the unlocked (no carrier plan) with an open bootloader? use your brain will ya
BravoMotorola said:
I hate these posts about "Motorola unlocking bootloader". I'm not sure many know, but Mororola is fine with unlocking the bootloader, it is the carrier that isn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many of us Defy owners outside of the US bought the phone without any carrier subsidy.
US <> The world.
Thx.
And read pt.6, BTW.
Comeon, if we have a 100-page thread that may do something.
100 page thread on Motorola's peer to peer support forum = waste of time
I have read at least 50 disinformation type posts on this site about unlocking a branded Xperia (Verizion in my case) they all seem to be wanting me to pay money to Alejandrissimo or Jinx13 but when I click on those hyperlinks they are all "Invalid post" so what am I supposed to be finding here that I missed?
There is not any topic stickied that is describing how to unlock the thing & every article / forum post / google search I find is another disinformation post with no real evidence.
I know how to flash ROM's onto android using recovery loaders.
I know how to access the program menu's in various phones
I know what the CDMA spectrum is.
I'm not some newb making this post because I need my hand held step by step to do something.
I just need some real information
If anyone has a link to a real method or anything helpful please let me know
I have researched (and watched the welcome video) on this site to find an answer and I haven't found anything.
Thanks
-Jon
Ok, so the links to the unlockers in my thread are broken. Does it mean that my post has "disinformation"? Is there any other way to unlock the bootloaders? No to both, as far as I know. I'll try to fix the links, but seriously...
About why my post (or any other helpful resource about the matter) is not stickied, I don't know nor do I care. No one reads stickies anyway.
Logseman said:
Ok, so the links to the unlockers in my thread are broken. Does it mean that my post has "disinformation"? Is there any other way to unlock the bootloaders? No to both, as far as I know. I'll try to fix the links, but seriously...
About why my post (or any other helpful resource about the matter) is not stickied, I don't know nor do I care. No one reads stickies anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By disinformation it would seem that some exists.
droid-life reported 4 months ago ashergray(XDA) found a method to unlock the bootloader.
Why none of the methods being released or talked about is beyond me.
Also I'm confused why the method is being charged for by others but not officially it would seem.
You have to pm users on the forum to arrange a sale. Why does a topic not exist for this purpose?
All this confusing data is leading to a big headache right now. I was hoping for answers and all I find is rabbit holes on this elusive topic.
Thanks for the reply tho.
Ashergray's method was dried out (it exploited a flaw, and the flaw was fixed).I mention ashergray in the thread, as it is only fitting, in the thanks part.
About why they ask to be contacted privately or publicly, it's their business... Is there something that should be cleared in my thread, aside of the links of course? I mean, I can try to rebuild the first post if necessary.
Logseman said:
Ashergray's method was dried out (it exploited a flaw, and the flaw was fixed).I mention ashergray in the thread, as it is only fitting, in the thanks part.
About why they ask to be contacted privately or publicly, it's their business... Is there something that should be cleared in my thread, aside of the links of course? I mean, I can try to rebuild the first post if necessary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could start off by explaining why in 7 months time the boot loader is sill locked.
Or why your links to the unlock threads are dead. Both of them.
Or how I'm supposed to unlock the bootloader if these users can't provide that service any longer.
Also you could mention why Sony. being developer and hacker supportive hasn't assisted in taking Verizon's clutch off the bootloader
It is rather annoying coming from Droid x where the device is locked down with a fuse but yet a wide array of custom roms exist that bypass the locked bootloader and then coming to this phone that appears to have not progressed beyond hello world.
So you tell me where to look for an unlock because I'm fresh out of searches and ideas.
Thanks
-jon
P.s I also wonder if the exploit you speak of was patched. Why not just flash to an earlier rom with the problem still existing.
You could start off by explaining why in 7 months time the boot loader is sill locked.
Or why your links to the unlock threads are dead. Both of them.
Or how I'm supposed to unlock the bootloader if these users can't provide that service any longer.
Also you could mention why Sony. being developer and hacker supportive hasn't assisted in taking Verizon's clutch off the bootloader
It is rather annoying coming from Droid x where the device is locked down with a fuse but yet a wide array of custom roms exist that bypass the locked bootloader and then coming to this phone that appears to have not progressed beyond hello world.
So you tell me where to look for an unlock because I'm fresh out of searches and ideas.
Thanks
-jon
P.s I also wonder if the exploit you speak of was patched. Why not just flash to an earlier rom with the problem still existing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) I kindly would like to ask how I'm supposed to know why the bootloader is locked. It's a corporate decision by carriers and Sony Ericsson in which neither I, nor anyone in this forum, have any input. If I had any hard data about why Sony Ericsson doesn't cooperate in the issue, I'd say it. However, I just don't know why, and I prefer not to speak of what I don't know.
2) It seems that both threads have been wiped out of existence (which I didn't know until right now), and I see that a new site appears in Alejandrissimo's signature (http://unlock-bootloader.com/) where he's promoting his services externally (not only the unlocking, but the TA fix and hard-brick fix too). I'd guess that somebody complained about these people making business inside XDA, but then I question the idea of wiping their threads like... months afterwards. At any rate, don't worry, you still can unlock your bootloader with Alejandrissimo's help.
3) On Droid X the bootloader was bypassed because Motorola wouldn't ever unlock it. The FreeXperia team, who had bypassed older Xperia models' bootloaders, decided against it as they saw the new policy of Sony Ericsson's (unlocking phones which didn't come with carrier subsidy). I could unlock my bootloader from day one, and I'm happy to say I've helped devs here therethrough.
4) The exploit was related to the website where you could unlock R800i models. In order to unlock your bootloader, you need to give your IMEI number (an ID code for GSM phones). Ashergray could convert MEID numbers used by CDMA phones into bogus IMEI numbers, which could be used to unlock the devices. Sony Ericsson patched the website so ashergray's trick didn't work anymore.
5) My thread is a "how-to", do you really expect me to add points 1), 3) and 4) to it?
4 months is an eternity for this kind of business. Exploits get fixed (look at the PSXperia case), policies change (like HTC's and Motorola's) and threads are wiped on short or no notice.
Logseman said:
1) I kindly would like to ask how I'm supposed to know why the bootloader is locked. It's a corporate decision by carriers and Sony Ericsson in which neither I, nor anyone in this forum, have any input. If I had any hard data about why Sony Ericsson doesn't cooperate in the issue, I'd say it. However, I just don't know why, and I prefer not to speak of what I don't know.
2) It seems that both threads have been wiped out of existence (which I didn't know until right now), and I see that a new site appears in Alejandrissimo's signature where he's promoting his services externally (not only the unlocking, but the TA fix and hard-brick fix too). I'd guess that somebody complained about these people making business inside XDA, but then I question the idea of wiping their threads like... months afterwards. At any rate, don't worry, you still can unlock your bootloader with Alejandrissimo's help.
3) On Droid X the bootloader was bypassed because Motorola wouldn't ever unlock it. The FreeXperia team, who had bypassed older Xperia models' bootloaders, decided against it as they saw the new policy of Sony Ericsson's (unlocking phones which didn't come with carrier subsidy). I could unlock my bootloader from day one, and I'm happy to say I've helped devs here therethrough.
4) The exploit was related to the website where you could unlock R800i models. In order to unlock your bootloader, you need to give your IMEI number (an ID code for GSM phones). Ashergray could convert MEID numbers used by CDMA phones into bogus IMEI numbers, which could be used to unlock the devices. Sony Ericsson patched the website so ashergray's trick didn't work anymore.
5) My thread is a "how-to", do you really expect me to add points 1), 3) and 4) to it?
4 months is an eternity for this kind of business. Exploits get fixed (look at the PSXperia case), policies change (like HTC's and Motorola's) and threads are wiped on short or no notice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've sent you some PM's to remove spam / offtopic / rant from the board.
Thanks for the information tho. I wasn't aware of any of that.
It seems that the name FreeXperia is a bit of a misnomer because my Xperia is going to be locked unless I pay 25$ apparently and thats sad when I only paid 90$ for the phone used. Could have been cheaper if I had bought bad ESN(I probably should have tried)
Imagine my surprise coming from Droid X to this phone where droid X has heaps of ROM's available to everyone for free and now I have to worry about getting this device to function at the same level as my old DX with Gummy JAR rom.
I Just wish the spirit of opensource would be in this sub-forum so we could have some real development in terms of flavors of roms and such.
Do you think their is any reason the developers are all charging fee's to show the method through team viewer? I thought it could have something to do with leaking the method and then it could be fixed in later updates. but then again maybe I'm wrong.
It's not that they "show" you the method. They "perform" the method for you. I'm not sure if you can do it with Omnius as well... but if you can, it will be marginally cheaper (unlocking credits are needed anyway!) and you have no assistance.
And about the old "why charge for open source software" dead horse, which is pointless here because there is no open source software involved (the bootloaders are closed-source, SETool is closed-source, and so on):
The Free Software Foundation said:
“Free software” does not mean “noncommercial.”
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Additionally, as I said before, the FreeXperia team has this policy: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=15253598&postcount=217
Logseman said:
It's not that they "show" you the method. They "perform" the method for you. I'm not sure if you can do it with Omnius as well... but if you can, it will be marginally cheaper (unlocking credits are needed anyway!) and you have no assistance.
And about the old "why charge for open source software" dead horse, which is pointless here because there is no open source software involved (the bootloaders are closed-source, SETool is closed-source, and so on):
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right on. I'm following you thus far.
Question tho. I read that sony was the best company for hackers and developers right now because they actually are allowing people to get access to the bootloaders. If all this is true why are they not assisting in the unlock of branded phones?
I might be wrong on this but aren't most peoples phones branded anyways through buying a contract?
and that leads to why FreeXperia didn't realize that and find an exploit / workaround for the bootloader being locked on branded phones.
If Setool and Omnius (or whatever it's called) are able to unlock the phones then why was sony. the engineer of the device not able to perform this same task?
Also I thought locking the bootloader violates the FCC regulation. open access provision so why didn't Sony assist the FCC to bypass Verizon.
God another douche, you pay 90 bucks for your phone and you think this community owes you something. Go complain to sony.
What do you mean, Sony can't do it? Of course they can. But they have chosen to do so only with R800i non-branded phones. Considering that they locked bootloaders without any official way to unlock them on previous Xperia models, that's a big step forward. That's as far as Sony Ericsson can go: on branded phones, they must obey what the carriers want.
Please do read Bin4ry's statement:
Now think about, if we would try to hack and bypass devices what will happen with future phones? In our opinion future phones will be locked down again like X10 was, eventually even more.
So why don't use the possibilties which are give by SE? Stick to their rules and hope for more support and maybe even nicer implementations (for example a accessable bootpartition from recovery).
We like SE devices, so we don't want to hijack this (i call it) "test" which SE drives with us?
I can fully understand that U.S. users which cannot unlock are quite unhappy with the actual situation, but sorry we will NOT work on anything else than development for officially unlocked devices! That was a team decision.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note that this is costing them a lot of flak because they don't use R800x models for testing purposes either, and CM7 has many issues in R800x phones.
Also I thought locking the bootloader violates the FCC regulation. open access provision so why didn't Sony assist the FCC to bypass Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this is correct, sue. I'm sure you'll have backing from everyone here.
Logseman said:
What do you mean, Sony can't do it? Of course they can. But they have chosen to do so only with R800i non-branded phones. Considering that they locked bootloaders without any official way to unlock them on previous Xperia models, that's a big step forward. That's as far as Sony Ericsson can go: on branded phones, they must obey what the carriers want.
Please do read Bin4ry's statement:
Note that this is costing them a lot of flak because they don't use R800x models for testing purposes either, and CM7 has many issues in R800x phones.
If this is correct, sue. I'm sure you'll have backing from everyone here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what your saying is that CM7 is not even worth flashing even if i was unlocked?
I would be better off to root / Titanium backup / delete bloat and be done with it?
Its a shame that they are forcing most people to stay stock SE/Verizon ROM because they are scared of the repercussions of angering SE. I think even if they stay inert that SE will eventually add more DRM to "protect" the devices.
About the lawsuit. I don't believe I'm the first person to mention it. Verizon has already been sued for 25 Million i believe on another occasion and it's been said by others that they are breaking FCC Regulation. The problem would be to get something done about it and I wouldn't have those resources.
The reason for the charge is very simple. In order to unlock our version of the Play (R800x), it takes a hardware dongle and the purchase of credits to allow the software to work. All you are paying Al or whoever for is the cost of the number of credits necessary to unlock your phone. They aren't getting rich off anyone.
If there was another way to unlock the Verizon version, someone would have posted it by now. There isn't, and that's just how it is.
There is a good spirit of free info sharing on this site. You might have to do a little digging but it's there. For example, how to unroot the R800x without having an unlocked bootloader. Takes about a whole 5 minutes to do.
EDIT: I do have to say that after digging around a bit more, I don't blame you for being perturbed. While no one owes us Verizon Play owners anything, there could have been something posted and sticky to make it a bit easier to find out what is going on. And perhaps have had a bit less condescension toward us as well. Must be that UK mentality toward us Colonists!
Re: Droid X vs XPlay development -
Different phones from different brands on different carriers require entirely new learning to develop for, not to mention owning a device to work on. I'd say there's probably only about a dozen people worldwide putting in serious work on this phone.
That's not a lot. If you want more options, you may have to do it yourself.
[TSON] said:
OPERATION: Make Our Selves Heard (#OPMOSH)
Motorola Mobility Inc. has become famous for its lies, slanderous ways, and tendency to flat out prove time and time again that it cares not for its customers after they walk out of that store with their phone. Since the early days of Android, post Droid 1, we have sat down and took our locked bootloaders like a man. There came to be a boiling point - and a full-out war was launched on their social media sites. Sound familiar? The same thing that worked with HTC and now with Asus. We received a generic "second half of 2011" timing. Guess what! It's now Q1 2012, and not only have they missed their deadline, but they have IGNORED all bootloader-related questions, given NO official announcement of their plans still being in motion, and thus must have forgotten that we are a core, dedicated community that wishes nothing more than to enjoy the phones we were given. Let's make ourselves heard again, turn the heat up, and make Moto (like HTC) get off of their asses and DO SOMETHING. Everyone counts!
Moto's Facebook - Moto's Twitter - Petition
TRY TWEETING:
@Motorola - How about those unlocked bootloaders you promised second half of 2011? @HTC cares, do you? http://moto.ly/icsboot
TRY POSTING ON THEIR FACEBOOK WALL:
@Motorola - I'm a faithful Motorola customer, and I'm starting to have second thoughts. Honor what Android stands for, openness, and give us the bootloader unlock tool that you promised "second-half of 2011". http://moto.ly/icsboot #OPMOSH
MAKE SURE TO SIGN THE PETITION AS WELL:
We'll be throwing this Moto's way after we get enough signatures.
We NEED to be heard to get anywhere. Spread the word to your Facebook friends, your Twitter friends, your Google Talk friends, your favorite Android news site... Spread the word! Bring freedom to the Android ecosystem, like Andy Rubin and Rich Miner intended.
Thank you SO much for your support. This community is amazing and I know our endeavors will be successful. See you on Moto's Facebook!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically i just found this on the droid razr forums i was hoping you guys will join in this last attack on motorola to unlock our beloved defy,defy+ bootloaders so our awesome devs can unlock the full potential of our devices by utilizing the ability to create and flash custom kernels etc. Please help. All credit goes the [TSON] for starting this am just linking . This attack has just recently worked with the asus transfromer prime having an unlocked bootloader but through this asus are now working on a solution hopefully motorola does the same and keep to their promise of unlocked bootloaders from late 2011.
Don't forget to sign the petition and link this to other forums.
I signed! Come on guys!!!
Free defy
Signed!
Free Defy green lens
Free Defy
look at those sigs go up!
signing multiple times like a boss!!!
Sent from my MB525 using xda premium
nogoodusername said:
look at those sigs go up!
signing multiple times like a boss!!!
Sent from my MB525 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Loooooool but seriously if Motorola don't release a statement on this soon then this is definitely my last purchase on any of their devices.
Keep going guys
Sent from another planet ^__^
This answer I got from MOTO 2 days ago :
Odpowiedź Przez e-mail(Mateusz H.) - 02/01/2012 11:38 AM Recently you requested personal assistance from our on-line support center. Below is a summary of your request and our response.
Customer Reference number: 111231-001484
Dear Customer,
Thank you for contacting Motorola.
We plan to release some updates for Motorola Defy Plus, however we still cannot confirm if the software will be updated to Ice Cream Sandwich. We are planning to upgrade DROID RAZR by Motorola, Motorola RAZR , Motorola XOOM and DROID BIONIC by Motorola to Ice Cream Sandwich. We will provide more precise guidance on timing after post-public push of Ice Cream Sandwich by Google, as well as any possible additions to this list of devices.
For any further assistance or information please do not hesitate to contact us again, quoting your Customer Reference number.
Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.
Kind regards,
Motorola Mobile Devices Contact www.motorola.com
Klient Wg wiadomości e-mail (Free 2live) - 30/12/2011 08:26 PM
Sent from another planet
free2live said:
This answer I got from MOTO 2 days ago :
Odpowiedź Przez e-mail(Mateusz H.) - 02/01/2012 11:38 AM Recently you requested personal assistance from our on-line support center. Below is a summary of your request and our response.
Customer Reference number: 111231-001484
Dear Customer,
Thank you for contacting Motorola.
We plan to release some updates for Motorola Defy Plus, however we still cannot confirm if the software will be updated to Ice Cream Sandwich. We are planning to upgrade DROID RAZR by Motorola, Motorola RAZR , Motorola XOOM and DROID BIONIC by Motorola to Ice Cream Sandwich. We will provide more precise guidance on timing after post-public push of Ice Cream Sandwich by Google, as well as any possible additions to this list of devices.
For any further assistance or information please do not hesitate to contact us again, quoting your Customer Reference number.
Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.
Kind regards,
Motorola Mobile Devices Contact www.motorola.com
Klient Wg wiadomości e-mail (Free 2live) - 30/12/2011 08:26 PM
Sent from another planet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmmmm so they're updating the defy plus again and leaving the defy in the dark I mean all the defy plus really has a slightly better cpu and bigger battery they both have the same gpu.
[TSON] said:
OPERATION: Make Our Selves Heard (#OPMOSH)
NEW! TRY EMAILING:
TO: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
To Whom It May Concern,
The independent communities that you catered to with your announcement earlier last year are very very excited for your bootloader unlock solution. However, the "second half" of 2011 has come and gone quietly; why is it that the public has received no notice that the bootloader unlock solution is still in works? A small-scale petition has made its rounds about the Android community, and has already gained over 200 signatures about 4 hours after being made public, without the help of any news sites (yet): http://www.change.org/petitions/motorola-mobility-inc-unlock-all-smartphone-bootloaders-2
Clearly, the demand is still quite strong (as can be seen on your social media networks, Facebook and Twitter), and it would be quite reassuring to the communities that not only pay for your devices every upgrade opportunity, but also help develop the Android operating system that we all know and love, to have an announcement that the bootloader unlock/relock solution is still on track for a timely release. This would also potentially double as reassurance to on-the-fence Galaxy Nexus/HTC smartphone buyers to go with the Motorola Droid RAZR, with its KEVLAR backing, 4G LTE speed, powerful 1.2 GHz dual core processor, and new bootloader unlock/relock solution instead. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
A Motorola Mobility Entusiast.
MAKE SURE TO SIGN THE PETITION AS WELL:
We'll be throwing this Moto's way after we get enough signatures.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update guys try this by emailing them with the above emails and the signatures are at 261 now
(We plan to release some updates for Motorola Defy Plus) after all of the time we complained about the locked boat loaders..they plan?!!
Signed and posted this on several FB pages:
Still waiting for an unlocked bootloader for the Defy (without plus) handset. Because there are no further Android releases from Motorola this would help very much for the support by the community.
anyone know how to get annonymous's attention? Perhaps scare tactics are in order? lol.
Keep going... We need more!!! Keep sending to motorola support, FB, Twitter, and forums... We have to push them to make a unlocker release...
djkail said:
Keep going... We need more!!! Keep sending to motorola support, FB, Twitter, and forums... We have to push them to make a unlocker release...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did my part, but the outcome so far is not good: look at my exchange with the bozos @ moto europe (read from bottom to top, I extracted it from the last email):
Me:
Your answer, while not as clear as I hoped, falls clearly in the 2) category: Contrary to its previous declarations (yes, it means lying) and in contrast with its competitors, Motorola do not intend to provide unloackable/relockable bootloaders. This information will be transmitted to the relevant newsgroups and social networks.
In case you wonder, it is not a positive message: There is no reason for an official relockable bootloader to void the warranty (Motorola provide such a bootloader on the Xoom), and the benefit of such a bootloader is maximal after the legal waranty anyway (for devices no longer supported by Motorola but still enjoying an active developer community).
Best regards
Moto europe:
Dear Mr xxx,
Thank you for contacting Motorola.
We would like to inform you that from Motorola Customer care service we will never give any means to unlock the bootloaders since it will void your phone's warranty. If you are a developer, please contact Motodev at http://developer.motorola.com/
Kind regards,
Motorola Mobile Devices Contact Centre
Me:
Sorry, but your answer is in total contradiction with previous Motorola
declarations:
Motorola official position in 2011 (from
http://www.groubal.com/motorola-lockedencrypted-bootloader-policy/ )
Bootloaders: It’s our plan to offer an unlockable/relockable bootloader,
currently found on the Motorola XOOM, in future software releases
starting later this year, where operator and channel partners will allow
it. Going forward, check out MOTODEV, the Motorola developer network,
for the latest information.
Exclusive: Motorola RAZR will be the first phone to incorporate
Motorola’s new bootloader solution
Posted by Irwin Proud on October 21st, 2011 3:02 PM - In Carriers,
Exclusive, Modding, Phones
Another example from
http://www.facebook.com/motorolaeurope/posts/234252379967105 :
Motorola Europe @Martin Malinowski the software version featured on
Motorola RAZR has been built with an unlockable/ relockable bootloader
included. However, whether that feature is enabled is dependent on
carrier and operator partner restrictions. Thanks.
Now there are two possibilities:
1) Confirm the previous Motorola position (that bootloaders will be
unlocked starting from end-2011). In this case, an apology for the delay
and more precision as to which device will get the update when would
strongly be appreciated. Note that the carrier and operator partner
restriction does not stand in Belgium, as phones are sold without
constract and not within operator outlets.
2) Infirm the previous Motorola position, i.e. "Sorry, we lied". And let
your customers pay back this behavior as it deserve.
I would appreciate a clear answer: 1) or 2).
Thanks,
best regards,
xxx
Moto:
Dear Mr xxx,
Thank you for contacting Motorola.
We are very sorry to inform you that Motorola will not unlock any bootloaders or give any methods to do so since this practice will void the phone's warranty. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.
Kind regards,
Motorola Mobile Devices Contact Centre
Me:
Dear Motorola,
Last year you promised that, late in 2011, you will start to distrubute new bootloader solution that can be unlocked/relocked, subject to network provider veto.
In Belgium, phone are sold network-unlocked and in general electronic retail shops intead of network provider outlets. In means that the veto do not apply in any way.
Still, although we are now in the early days of 2012, we have no news of unlocked bootloaders.
Unlocked bootloaders allowing custom unsigned kernels are extremely important to the developer community, they allow experimentation and community support, while locked bootloaders with signed kernels makes the job of the community much more complicated. Note that even on a signed kernel, phone can be rooted and custom modules loaded, so the locked bootloader fail to secure the phone for the end user, while it is a huge annoyance for the dev community.
Your main competitors (HTC ans Samsung) have unlocked their bootloaders. You promised to do so. Now it is (more than) time to honor that promise.
I love my Defy, but with locked bootloaders I feel it does not have the support it desserve from the community, and having experienced the effect of a locked bootloader, it will be the last Moto device I buy if Moto do not honor its promise.
Regards,
xxx
To all, feel free to post the exchange in any media you see fit....
why motorola insists to be suborn? with its stupid answer it will lose more customers..!! why did it unlock bootloaders of other devices and refuse to find a solution for defy one ?
Petition Signed + Facebooked
We asked at developer.motorola.com.
Find it here: http://community.developer.motorola...or/Bootloader-unlock-for-Defy/m-p/21364#M4637
Signed and waiting now
Signed and postet on Facebook
Yes they shall finally be forced to tell us the truth
Guys this is amazing we have like 1,072 signatures now on the petition page and raising. It's also be featured on a couple of blogs and sites it's even on gsm arena hopefully it will be on engadget or cnet soon. We really have a awesome community here at xda
lets make an attack on Motorola facebook http://www.facebook.com/motorola
and repeating this message on every issue (@Motorola - How about those unlocked bootloaders you promised second half of 2011? @HTC cares, do you? i have my defy with locked boat loader2.3.6 and deprived from many features like camera ...try to solve this problem by unlocking ur boot loader or give us a tool ..i didn`t buy an expensive mobile phone to have it locked)
---------- Post added at 08:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:05 PM ----------
here is also Motorola youtube channel...lets join it in our attack
http://www.youtube.com/user/motorola
Hi guys,
The project cheesecake thread is meant strictly for develpment where it is being researched how to unlock the bootloader of Defy. Hence anything other than dev should be kept outside or the thread gets spammed!
Lets continue the discusion here. I will try my best to keep updating the status here once a day. But owing to my schedule that may not be possible at times!
How and why to sue?:
We as owners of the device got full right for it and Moto by locking away the bootloaders is keeping us from using our device to the fullest! A detailed discussion is here in Moto forum which is worth a read.
See 47 CFR Sec. 15.21." in Page 63 of this document.
26-7: In India we may approach Consumer Forum.
Spamming links:
You can mention how much the Defy/Defy+ is used for dev and show this link to CM status (jordan/umts_jordan leads!)
Motorola community discussion for unlocking bootloader.
Facebook page and this post there
I think that we should try to interest some institution in the European Union. European Union draws attention to the rights of consumers. And the locked bootloader restricts the rights of users. We have "open" system - Android, bu we can use only versions from Motorola. The European Union may request Motorola to unlock the bootloader.
All these suing Motorola conversations are bs.
Motorola created device and sells it as is. Not being able to install latest and greatest does not restrict you to use phone's advertised features.
You can gain absolutely nothing by suing Motorola, because there is nothing illegal in not offering an ability to unlock bootloader. Not in Europe, not in India, China, etc.
yackoo said:
I think that we should try to interest some institution in the European Union. European Union draws attention to the rights of consumers. And the locked bootloader restricts the rights of users. We have "open" system - Android, bu we can use only versions from Motorola. The European Union may request Motorola to unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
aed0101 said:
You can gain absolutely nothing by suing Motorola, because there is nothing illegal in not offering an ability to unlock bootloader. Not in Europe, not in India, China, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, but what about the public promise - Motorola said they will remove the lock. This kind of announcement could encourage many users to purchase products of Motorola. But bootloader are still locked - the company deliberately misled customers. It is an unlawful act (providing false information about a product, which may affect the decision to purchase). Anyone who bought a Motorola product after the bootloader announcement, you may feel cheated.
yackoo said:
Ok, but what about the public promise - Motorola said they will remove the lock. This kind of announcement could encourage many users to purchase products of Motorola. But bootloader are still locked - the company deliberately misled customers. It is an unlawful act (providing false information about a product, which may affect the decision to purchase). Anyone who bought a Motorola product after the bootloader announcement, you may feel cheated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have any copy of the public promise?! Will add it to the first post
Excellent.
Go ahead you are with us!
yackoo said:
Ok, but what about the public promise - Motorola said they will remove the lock. This kind of announcement could encourage many users to purchase products of Motorola. But bootloader are still locked - the company deliberately misled customers. It is an unlawful act (providing false information about a product, which may affect the decision to purchase). Anyone who bought a Motorola product after the bootloader announcement, you may feel cheated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jep, this makes far more sense to me than suing just because the bootloader is locked. Motorola is not the only brand that sells locked devices.
Also, if this still doesn't work, maybe talking to Google about the broken promise would help since they own Motorola now and they seem to have a more "open" policy than Motorola.
yackoo said:
Ok, but what about the public promise - Motorola said they will remove the lock. This kind of announcement could encourage many users to purchase products of Motorola. But bootloader are still locked - the company deliberately misled customers. It is an unlawful act (providing false information about a product, which may affect the decision to purchase). Anyone who bought a Motorola product after the bootloader announcement, you may feel cheated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The public promise has no legal value. You can't sue Motorola for that, niether can you sue them for not unlocking the bootloader as Aed0101 said.
Regarding the law, they are in their full right and this class-action lawsuit idea will go nowhere at all. Just cut all this bull**** about the locked bootloader and move on...
Trust me, i want the bootloader unlocked just as much as you do. Either we do it ourselves eventually, either we never have one. End of story.
Motorola Defy, CM7 @ 1Ghz + CM9 multiboot
[Guide] Install double boot CM7 + CM9
[Guide][Root needed] Unsimlock your Defy
[Mod/Fix][APP]Messaging apps with ENTER button enabled!
Wow! You mean to tell me you know every obscure law regarding consumer products in every country that Motorola sells it's products? I'm impressed!
If someone thinks that they can find a crack in Moto's armor, let them. Who knows what we can gain by it. They just want to find a way to help our devs but maybe, don't know how to program.
crakeron said:
The public promise has no legal value.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't agree with that. We are talking about important functionality. Imagine, that the manufacturer says "next update will add feature X". You are looking for a device with such a function and you select Motorola - because he has to have this feature. After a while Motorola forget about the "problem". This is not a promise made by Mr. Smith, but by a huge corporation. It's a big difference.
yackoo said:
I can't agree with that. We are talking about important functionality. Imagine, that the manufacturer says "next update will add feature X". You are looking for a device with such a function and you select Motorola - because he has to have this feature. After a while Motorola forget about the "problem". This is not a promise made by Mr. Smith, but by a huge corporation. It's a big difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with this comment!
Motorola has said they will start releasing tools to unlock bootloaders for its devices, started with Photon Q
http://androidcommunity.com/motorola-finally-unlocking-bootloaders-for-real-this-time-20120726/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=Connectandroid
S3nt fr0m my D3fy/w1u1 GB st4BL3
Motorola photon Q has boot loader unlocked..motorola announced
Maybe moto will say something like Defy is too old well only unlock new phones... motorola style loll
It has nothing to do with legal knowledge. It´s just common sense. Unfortunately, not everybody have it.
I guess the only way to gain something (if possible at all) is contacting both Motorola and Google.
visualist6x6 said:
Wow! You mean to tell me you know every obscure law regarding consumer products in every country that Motorola sells it's products? I'm impressed!
If someone thinks that they can find a crack in Moto's armor, let them. Who knows what we can gain by it. They just want to find a way to help our devs but maybe, don't know how to program.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yackoo said:
Ok, but what about the public promise - Motorola said they will remove the lock. This kind of announcement could encourage many users to purchase products of Motorola.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Moto never "promised" anything to unlock booloaders. In 2011 they said:
"In terms of your question – we completely understand the operator requirement for security to the end user, and as well, want to support the developer communities desire to use these products as a development platform. It is our intention to enable the unlockable/relockable bootloader currently found on Motorola XOOM across our portfolio of devices starting in late 2011, where carriers and operators will allow it.”
So, just an Intention to unlock where carriers and operators allow it. Trust me, a law suit is useless.
nidhish91 said:
Motorola has said they will start releasing tools to unlock bootloaders for its devices, started with Photon Q
http://androidcommunity.com/motorol...?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=Connectandroid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now this is getting interesting! This announcement deserves a new topic. I advise to do some spamming here:
http://community.developer.motorola...ader-discussion-board/td-p/22108?pubid=987654
Martijn1971 said:
So, just an Intention to unlock where carriers and operators allow it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are smartphones with unlocked bootloaders in European market. So carriers are not problem - unless we assume that carriers prohibit removing the lock only in devices of Motorola. But this is impossible.
Now this is getting interesting! This announcement deserves a new topic. I advise to do some spamming here:
http://community.developer.motorola...ader-discussion-board/td-p/22108?pubid=987654
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed! Defy has to be the second phone on their list, and spamming the forum maybe improves the chances of getting it there
Also, contacting Google could help. Maybe post it as official Android issue? Even if its specific to just one device, I've already seen things which were specific to other phones aswell.
Motorola sucks so bad We just want an unlocked bootloader, I don't think it's such a big task for them. We didn't even ask for official 4.0/4.1, we just want our bootloader unlocked...
When spamming Moto forums, post a link to the Cyanogenmod install stats page so they can see that Defy is in top 5 in all time installations of CM