Motorola Releases an Official Bootloader Unlocker

New submitter Nertskull writes "Motorola has released a tool to allow anyone to unlock the bootloader on their phone/tablet. The only supported device so far is the Photon Q 4G LTE, though three other devices are supported through their developer unlock program. Support for unlocking other devices is supposedly on its way." Motorola leads into the unlocking process with this amusing tidbit: "WARNING: Motorola strongly recommends against unlocking the bootloader and/or modifying or altering a device's software or operating system. Doing so can have unintended, unforeseen, and dangerous consequences, such as rendering the device unusable, violating applicable laws, or causing property damage and/or bodily injury, including death." Careful, folks; unlocking that bootloader might kill you.

Comments

Progress is always welcome

[oakgrove]

You know what else would be nice, Motorola? With your unlocking tool, how about updated drivers for the latest version of Android for at least 3 years into the life of each phone. Having an unlocked boot loader is great but actually being able to install Android version++ and having everything work would be even better.

Re:Now for iOS?

[oakgrove]

The RAZR MAXX is actually a really nice popular phone with phenomenal battery life. I'd hardly call it's manufacturer irrelevant. Not only that but Motorola is owned by the developer of Android the smartphone OS with by far the largest install base. I'm not sure what you're mad about but your post comes off as sour grapes sounding.

Re:Wow

[Anrego]

Adding a few words to a disclaimer and accepting a little mockery is a hell of a lot cheaper than the lawsuit when someone, somehow manages to kill themselves with a software change...

Re:Wow

[TheGratefulNet]

yup, last time I saw someone do an 'rm -rf' he lost one of his fingers. and once, a friend of a friend tried running fdisk and to this day, he still can't talk right.

it can happen, folks! believe it.

Re:Wow

[Anonymous Coward]

actually this is real possibility, because of pressure for battery capacity and size manufacturers of most smartphones have to use some very unstable materials for battery ones that DID have exploding problems before.

in order to stop batteries from overheating or exploding there are pretty sophisticated chips /controllers built-in controlling their allowed charge rate/charge current/allowed discharge percentage/discharge speed, if by unlocking boot-loader you are able to access/reprogram battery controller you could because of software error cause battery to overheat or explode so this disclaimer is more than valid as in
"we put some mechanisms to protect you in this phone, should you remove it and hurt yourself somehow its your fault we are not paying a million bucks for damages to you or your family"

There may be legal issues, too.

[Ungrounded Lightning]

As I read their entry in wikipedia:

- There was pressure from the Android community.
-- Motorola promised an unlocking tool "by the second half of 2011".
- When it didn't appear, complaints were mad to the FCC about violation of a Part C rule that appears to REQUIRE a way for ordinary users to unlock the bootloader and load anything they want.

So this may be Motorola's response, 14 1/2 months late.

I wouldn't be surprised if Motorola held off, or limited the models unlocked, to avoid violating contract provisions with carriers that resell their phones with their service plans at greatly discounted prices.