Android: Fine, Then Gimme the Features Without Root

With the Droid X coming out tomorrow, there’s quite a bit of attention being drawn to the fact that the fancy new Android phone is using the same encrypted bootloader as the Motorola Milestone, rendering it very difficult to crack. According to this post at androidpolice.com, the bootloader is using a “proprietary encrypted private key scheme” which pretty much requires any ROM you’re going to install has been blessed by Motorola.

This is totally lame.

I bought into the Android platform because it stands for openness and freedom. And really, they do a pretty darned good job at it still. But the fact is that there are some things that I’ve come to take for granted on my Droid because some hacker has enabled them.

My reasons for rooting are:

I can theme my phone UI
I can uninstall apps I don’t want (like Amazon MP3. WTF!)
I can turn off the LEDs behind the 4 main buttons under the screen (Seriously? I need root for this?)
I can overclock (even though I don’t really do it since FroYo)
I can tether (I basically never do this — no need.)

Why won’t the phone makers let me do these things?? The only one that could damage anyone on their end is tethering since the carriers actually want extra money for the feature. So restrict it!

I suppose one could cause damage by overclocking and stressing the phone too much… So add some kind of hardware indicator so it would be known if the phone was ever overclocked, and void the warranty if it was! They already do this for water damage!

I was happy not rooting for a long time, so (stock) Android does a good job of not making me feel restricted. I wholeheartedly agree with those who say the phones should all be unlocked and capable of installing custom ROMs like the developer-oriented Nexus One, but the realistic side of me is just asking for a little more flexibility in the stock offering. Why the heck not allow me to do some of these things to my phone??

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 Software, Technology

4 Comments to Android: Fine, Then Gimme the Features Without Root

Here here! This was one of the main reasons I didn’t go with the Droid / Milestone. If HTC gets away with letting you root your phones, I don’t get why Motorola can’t. (They can’t possibly be liable if you break your own phone or install a ROM that breaks 911. )

There’s always the Evo, right?

Albert on July 15th, 2010

I think you misunderstood what the freedom was that the Android software brought. While on the surface it was the freedom to use the software you want, without the need for app store overlords, it also brought freedom to the OEMs to install it and add whatever limitations they desired. These types of freedom are always double edged swords, that are less for your benefit and more for the people who are providing the devices.

In the future, people will start also looking to handset makers who decide to put fewer restrictions on their devices as well as the Android OS when they decide on what phone to buy. Much in the same way hardcore PC enthusiasts look for a box that will allow them to upgrade it in anyway they want.

At this point, Android is positioning itself as the Windows of the mobile phone business, with a wide consumer base through many different devices and the ability to install ALMOST anything you want on it. I still admire the platform for what it is trying to do and am excited for every new feature they bring, because it forces Apple to continually fight for market dominance by bring me new features.

So, thanks Android!

Drew Butler on July 15th, 2010

lol sorry I dropped the ball on the comments thing, guys. I need to make sure I get emails when they come in.

Drew, oh yes, I’m aware the freedom thing goes both ways. It just sucks, and we’re all just coming to terms with it. I think this type of thing could have a very big impact on what phones I use in the future.

thread on September 6th, 2010

Looks like a nightmare for secure transactions, I don’t think the droids will be safe for online financial transactions on sites like http://www.Amazon.com, http://www.TotalMortgage.com and http://www.etrade.com. Droids will only be good for search and videos.