Ive been thinking of jumping ship for a new 4g phone, what are some of the phones you guys would suggest? I want to have the same control over it as i had with my og droid ( flashing kernels and roms, not locked), so wich phones are compleatly unlocked? Is it just Motorola phones with non unlockable bootloaders?
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA
I actually jumped ship from big red with a Nexus 4, I absolutely love it, and T-Mo isn't bad, $30 / month is amazing. For Verizon I hear HTC is unlocking bootloaders now. The S4 is coming soon and Samsung actually seems to support their phones.
S3 or N4 aren't bad phones.
Related
milestone help...
Currently I'm not under contract with any carriers, was using my nexus one on local carrier and traded that for an iphone 4. Sold that and currently using a samsung vibrant which only cost $160.
I can get a milestone for free with a 2 year contract, but I ll probably just use the vibrant mainly. Would the milestone be a good backup android device? It seems out dated to me already, should I just stick with a blackberry bold (even more outdated)????
How is the milestone rooting? custom roms? read about bootloader being locked? Is it fairly simple to unlock? I have unlocked nexus one bootloaders, rooted, etc.... Vibrant rooted, unlocked carrier etc.... Any input on the use of this device? thanks
Milestone!
The Android OS is much better. RIMs Push-E-Mail Service is great but that's it.
But don't use a Milestone if you could have a Milestone 2 (Droid 2).
I called AT&T to do my part in the campaign to unlock the bootloader of the Vivid. The CSA seemed to understand our issue (wanting root/not wanting CIQ). I told her that these were the issues that needed to be resolved before I would upgrade when I am due late 2012. She (out of nowhere) asked if there were any other devices that I was interested in that were capable of root and didn't have CIQ. When I mentioned that my wife had an Inspire, she quickly asked if I was interested in an upgrade today. (I am using a rooted Aria). I told her that I didn't want to pay the higher price for a device since I am not due for an upgrade for several months. She offered to send me an Inspire, to arrive in 2 weeks if I want. Renew the contract for 2 years and it's mine. "Free"
Wow...
Nice try...if I do this, I am going to miss out on great pricing for some of the better Android devices yet to come. Or is this my last chance to get an HTC device with an unlocked bootloader? Should I bite?
No way, wait for the G Nex to hit AT&T
Sent from my ICS Splashed MT4GS using xda premium
duckredbeard said:
I called AT&T to do my part in the campaign to unlock the bootloader of the Vivid. The CSA seemed to understand our issue (wanting root/not wanting CIQ). I told her that these were the issues that needed to be resolved before I would upgrade when I am due late 2012. She (out of nowhere) asked if there were any other devices that I was interested in that were capable of root and didn't have CIQ. When I mentioned that my wife had an Inspire, she quickly asked if I was interested in an upgrade today. (I am using a rooted Aria). I told her that I didn't want to pay the higher price for a device since I am not due for an upgrade for several months. She offered to send me an Inspire, to arrive in 2 weeks if I want. Renew the contract for 2 years and it's mine. "Free"
Wow...
Nice try...if I do this, I am going to miss out on great pricing for some of the better Android devices yet to come. Or is this my last chance to get an HTC device with an unlocked bootloader? Should I bite?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not a chance.... you have been able to get the inspire almost free on contract forever. Wait for something better.
gtkansan said:
Not a chance.... you have been able to get the inspire almost free on contract forever. Wait for something better.
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Click to collapse
I got my son's Inspire for Free at Target 6 weeks ago.
Important to point out that I am in the middle of a 2 year contract. An upgrade so far from my contract end date typically makes one ineligible for discounts on new equipment, right?
Also...are we sure that the G Nex will have an unlocked bootloader and no CIQ?
duckredbeard said:
Important to point out that I am in the middle of a 2 year contract. An upgrade so far from my contract end date typically makes one ineligible for discounts on new equipment, right?
Also...are we sure that the G Nex will have an unlocked bootloader and no CIQ?
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Click to collapse
nexus phones are specifically made with bootloaders you can unlock easily. since the verizon one comes with bloat we can assume, if at&t subsidizes it in their store, not through the nexus website, that it will have some at&T specific apps also.
but the phone will allow u to disable them just like u can on verizon
If they said that they'd send you an Inspire with no contractual obligation, I'd have been thinking "Wow, great!". Add the two-year wrinkle to it, and you are swiftly drop-kicked back to the reality that AT&T sucks.
bigballa said:
nexus phones are specifically made with bootloaders you can unlock easily. since the verizon one comes with bloat we can assume, if at&t subsidizes it in their store, not through the nexus website, that it will have some at&T specific apps also.
but the phone will allow u to disable them just like u can on verizon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We can also argue now that the latest Google phone isn't a nexus anymore. Carriers like Verizon are ruining products.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
Inspire is a great device. Loved it, but I'd hold out.
As the title says, I've just about had it with Motorola and Verizon's locked bootloader fiasco. I really like the Bionic, and it suits most of my needs, but lack of robust developer activity because of the bootloader is pissing me off (hats off to the devs that stick in there and keep working around the restrictions.
That being said, I'm starting to think about a new phone. Really sucks, as the Bionic is a great phone.
Obviously, I want something with an unlocked bootloader. Also looking for dual-core, 4G LTE (Verizon), and not looking to downgrade on CPU speed, RAM, storage, or screen size/resolution. Of course, if I could upgrade one or more of those, that would be nice, too.
Any suggestions?
**EDIT**
Looks like the Galaxy Nexus may be a good alternative. Is the Verizon version locked? If so, can it be unlocked? Any downsides over the Bionic (hardware-wise)?
Flapjack said:
As the title says, I've just about had it with Motorola and Verizon's locked bootloader fiasco. I really like the Bionic, and it suits most of my needs, but lack of robust developer activity because of the bootloader is pissing me off (hats off to the devs that stick in there and keep working around the restrictions.
That being said, I'm starting to think about a new phone. Really sucks, as the Bionic is a great phone.
Obviously, I want something with an unlocked bootloader. Also looking for dual-core, 4G LTE (Verizon), and not looking to downgrade on CPU speed, RAM, storage, or screen size/resolution. Of course, if I could upgrade one or more of those, that would be nice, too.
Any suggestions?
**EDIT**
Looks like the Galaxy Nexus may be a good alternative. Is the Verizon version locked? If so, can it be unlocked? Any downsides over the Bionic (hardware-wise)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the vzw gnex comes with an unlockable boot loader. I switched from the bionic to the GNex in December because the bionic was unusable (poor data connection, frequent lock ups, etc.). VZW finally released an update for the bionic in February (5 months after release) which made it work but e damage was done - no more Moto blur or locked boot loaders for me.
Gnex = galaxy nexus?
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
Flapjack said:
Gnex = galaxy nexus?
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, sorry
PhilDX said:
yeah, sorry
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Click to collapse
No problem.
I'm going to give the .904 update and Eclipse 2.2 a shot before I throw in the towel. I'm not eligible for a Verizon upgrade until Feb 2013. The cost of the phone alone is too much for me at this time. Unless you know of a way for me to convince Verizon to upgrade me earlier.
The issue isn't entirely the locked bootloader. There are devices with unlocked bootloaders, such as the LG Revolution, that have less development than the Bionic. While the locked bootloader is an issue, its not the only issue. If you want good development community, go with HTC or a Nexus.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using XDA
Anyone know?
irzero said:
Anyone know?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All devices are sold with S-On (minus the occasional glitch). The sim-free phones are sim-unlocked meaning you can put any carriers sim card in there, but the bootloader will be locked. The only phone sold with an unlocked bootloader is the dev edition.
bobruels44 said:
All devices are sold with S-On (minus the occasional glitch). The sim-free phones are sim-unlocked meaning you can put any carriers sim card in there, but the bootloader will be locked. The only phone sold with an unlocked bootloader is the dev edition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So HTC stopped custom roms and Google play edition roms from being loaded on their phones?
Damn no wonder they are going to go bankrupt even with an award winning phone.
So your saying HTC is going bankrupt because they ship phones with s-on...okay.....
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
irzero said:
So HTC stopped custom roms and Google play edition roms from being loaded on their phones?
Damn no wonder they are going to go bankrupt even with an award winning phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ummmm no. A small percentage of people even care about unlocked bootloader, and S-On is no different then any other phones. The nexus phones are technically S-On. In fact even nexus phones have their bootloader locked. I don't know if the google play edition also has a locked bootloader, they might. But the only manufacture to not have booloader on devices is Samsung, and even that is starting to change. HTC is broke because of bad release cycles, bad management, and poor sales over the past few years.
bobruels44 said:
ummmm no. A small percentage of people even care about unlocked bootloader, and S-On is no different then any other phones. The nexus phones are technically S-On. In fact even nexus phones have their bootloader locked. I don't know if the google play edition also has a locked bootloader, they might. But the only manufacture to not have booloader on devices is Samsung, and even that is starting to change. HTC is broke because of bad release cycles, bad management, and poor sales over the past few years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC is in trouble because it does things its core customers dislike. In fact most people wouldnt notice but the vocal minority that do notice then dont promote the phone to the sheeple.
When i moved from iPhone everyone got one around me, when i moved to the S3 they all changed to S3. People buy what other people recommend all the time.
I still find this upsetting tbh its like being back on iPhone.
You do understand that just because it ships boot loader locked doesn't mean you can't unlock it. HTCDEV is a site maintained by HTC with the intention of allowing users to modify their software.
Also, you're saying that the people around you bought iPhones and S3s because of your recommendation? Not because they're two of the most popular phones on the market?
Sent from my One using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Yes it is a somewhat vocal minority. However its a smaller minority than you think I am the only one out of my friends that actually root my phone. I can count the number of people I know in total that root their phones. Most people have no clue how to root and mod, or even know someone who does. The HTC One has received nothing but good reviews from big names like Engadget. Reviews are what matter. Now before you say most people don't go to tech sites and read reviews (Like they should). The sales people do. I worked 2 years in retail selling cell phones and cell phones accessories. Most people have no clue what they want so the easiest thing to do from a sales standpoint is put them in the direction of a phone that has good reviews. Then you can point them to said reviews. This is what helps a phone sell. The HTC One has actually had fantastic sales. Walking around my university campus I see more people with a HTC One then I do an S4. Way more then any LG or Sony phone. HTC's big killer right now is they only have one flagship out (at least in north america). That hopefully will change soon.
I hear the S5 has a locked bootloader on AT&T. Is this rumor valid or a ton of baloney? I dont really want to go through all the safestrap crap again as I did with the S4
XxSHaDoWxSLaYeRxX said:
I hear the S5 has a locked bootloader on AT&T. Is this rumor valid or a ton of baloney? I dont really want to go through all the safestrap crap again as I did with the S4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont believe anyone has the AT&T variant in hand, but if history has taught us anything its that AT&T will have it locked down.
AT&T will 99.99% lock the bootloader on the S5. They stated they will lock the bootloaders: "To ensure a safe and consistent experience on your wireless device, we do not support unlocked bootloaders."
I just wish T-Mobile would improve in my area because they are doings things right. Like selling the 32GB S5.
MattMJB0188 said:
AT&T will 99.99% lock the bootloader on the S5. They stated they will lock the bootloaders: "To ensure a safe and consistent experience on your wireless device, we do not support unlocked bootloaders."
I just wish T-Mobile would improve in my area because they are doings things right. Like selling the 32GB S5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This time around it looks like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile will have S5 with locked bootloader
AT&T started with S4 and continued the tradition there after (G2, N3 etc.)
T-Mobile started with LG G Flex and looks like it will continue the tradition with S5. (Source: https://twitter.com/Anthony_J_Fox/status/446759896017420288)
Verizon started who knows when ?
Doubt we will have anything like lokidoki this time around also. Which is why I sold my s4 and got a nexus 5
Might pick up a HTC one m8 unlocked variant though if it supports LTE.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Jonnyredcorn said:
Doubt we will have anything like lokidoki this time around also. Which is why I sold my s4 and got a nexus 5
Might pick up a HTC one m8 unlocked variant though if it supports LTE.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
LokiDoki was bad ass lol. I had kept it on my s4 all the way to the end. Everyone kept saying there would be another exploit, but there never was. The AT&T S4 doesn't see much development nowadays. Safestrap is good, but not the same. Maybe there will be a developer who can actually UNLOCK the bootloader instead of finding a way around it. These devices have become so hard to root, flash, and restore to stock with these locked bootloaders. Glad T-Mobile is getting in for the fun. It's almost sickening how much they publicly hate AT&T and Verizon, then they go and lock the S5 bootloader just like them.
Walter.White said:
This time around it looks like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile will have S5 with locked bootloader
AT&T started with S4 and continued the tradition there after (G2, N3 etc.)
T-Mobile started with LG G Flex and looks like it will continue the tradition with S5. (Source: https://twitter.com/Anthony_J_Fox/status/446759896017420288)
Verizon started who knows when ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im guessing T-mobile started because people were buying their devices for use on AT&T because of the unlocked bootloader. They dont make money on the devices they make it on the service and locked bootloaders will discourage this practice. My theory, not fact.
Walter.White said:
This time around it looks like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile will have S5 with locked bootloader
AT&T started with S4 and continued the tradition there after (G2, N3 etc.)
T-Mobile started with LG G Flex and looks like it will continue the tradition with S5. (Source: https://twitter.com/Anthony_J_Fox/status/446759896017420288)
Verizon started who knows when ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sorry but I put 0 credibility behind the "SOURCE" for this statement that TMOBILE will have a locked bootloader - I have not even been able to confirm that the LG is locked - it may be that I am looking at the world thru rose colored glasses but I need to see something more than converstationwith an unknown person who may or may not know what they are talking about. The odds are that the S5 will be unlocked on TMOBILE - as an ATT customer using a TMOBILE NOTE 3 - I sure hope that is the case as I plan to buy the S5 when it comes out - if it is locked, I guess I will return it - but until I see more definitive proof - I don't believe it will be
mocsab said:
I am sorry but I put 0 credibility behind the "SOURCE" for this statement that TMOBILE will have a locked bootloader - I have not even been able to confirm that the LG is locked - it may be that I am looking at the world thru rose colored glasses but I need to see something more than converstationwith an unknown person who may or may not know what they are talking about. The odds are that the S5 will be unlocked on TMOBILE - as an ATT customer using a TMOBILE NOTE 3 - I sure hope that is the case as I plan to buy the S5 when it comes out - if it is locked, I guess I will return it - but until I see more definitive proof - I don't believe it will be
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the actual tmobile response clearly stating the lg bootloader is locked isnt enough to convince you that the lg bootloader is locked?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T217A using XDA Premium HD app
cloudraker said:
So the actual tmobile response clearly stating the lg bootloader is locked isnt enough to convince you that the lg bootloader is locked?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T217A using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are talking about the excerpt of the chat session the insurance guy posted online - then no, that is not enough to convince me. Do you have something more official from TMOBILE that says it is locked? I would love to see it if you do - I don't know who that person was at TOMOBILE - if it was a customer care person from the web site - I give them no credibility at all - you wouldn't believe the number of things they have said that have turned out to be totally untrue -
or are you talking about some sort of official notice that I have not seen?
mocsab said:
If you are talking about the excerpt of the chat session the insurance guy posted online - then no, that is not enough to convince me. Do you have something more official from TMOBILE that says it is locked? I would love to see it if you do - I don't know who that person was at TOMOBILE - if it was a customer care person from the web site - I give them no credibility at all - you wouldn't believe the number of things they have said that have turned out to be totally untrue -
or are you talking about some sort of official notice that I have not seen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wasn't that T-Mobile's official twitter account? Anyway, I hope it is unlocked because everyone has the right to do what they want with their phone, as they own it. As an AT&T customer who used the T-Mobile Note 3, I can tell you that I will not be doing that again in the future. T-Mobile's Note 3 fully supported all of AT&T's bands, but I found LTE reception to be very bad. It was awful in places with low signal, and often would sit on HSPA+.
But my flashing days are over with. I pay for my devices at full price, and I won't risk bricking it with these very hard rooting/flashing procedures. Its just too risky nowadays. Maybe I got spoiled with the easy rooting/flashing methods we had before.
Back to the bootloader... I can see them locking it for the reason that many bought their device for use on AT&T. If the S5 bootloader is locked on T-Mobile then that's a shame. Looks like the "uncarrier" just made a selfish "carrier" move.
MattMJB0188 said:
Wasn't that T-Mobile's official twitter account? Anyway, I hope it is unlocked because everyone has the right to do what they want with their phone, as they own it. As an AT&T customer who used the T-Mobile Note 3, I can tell you that I will not be doing that again in the future. T-Mobile's Note 3 fully supported all of AT&T's bands, but I found LTE reception to be very bad. It was awful in places with low signal, and often would sit on HSPA+.
But my flashing days are over with. I pay for my devices at full price, and I won't risk bricking it with these very hard rooting/flashing procedures. Its just too risky nowadays. Maybe I got spoiled with the easy rooting/flashing methods we had before.
Back to the bootloader... I can see them locking it for the reason that many bought their device for use on AT&T. If the S5 bootloader is locked on T-Mobile then that's a shame. Looks like the "uncarrier" just made a selfish "carrier" move.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I honestly don't know if that was an Official Tmobile Tweet or not - I guess I do wear rose colored glasses - always half full and all of that. I purchased a preorder of the S 5 so I will find out soon enough - if it is locked I will probably return it.
One reason I can think of that t mobile has decided to lock bootloader (if they have) is to cut down on the amount of returns they get from people who brick their device and then return it for a new replacement, hiding the fact that they were rooted or whatever. We may have become o our own worst enemy. I don't knnow how many hundreds - maybe thouhsands of phones have been returned at one time or another from someone claiming the phone was broken when in reality it was bricked because they tried something they shoulnd't have - or flashed a bad file or whatever. If you consider their side of things - you can understand why they might want to plug that hole....
regardless - I am a flashaholic - it is a disease - I need help desperately - lol - but seriously - I do hope we find that these are just rumours and that Tmobile has taken the high road and kept our phones open and "flashable"
mocsab said:
I honestly don't know if that was an Official Tmobile Tweet or not - I guess I do wear rose colored glasses - always half full and all of that. I purchased a preorder of the S 5 so I will find out soon enough - if it is locked I will probably return it.
One reason I can think of that t mobile has decided to lock bootloader (if they have) is to cut down on the amount of returns they get from people who brick their device and then return it for a new replacement, hiding the fact that they were rooted or whatever. We may have become o our own worst enemy. I don't knnow how many hundreds - maybe thouhsands of phones have been returned at one time or another from someone claiming the phone was broken when in reality it was bricked because they tried something they shoulnd't have - or flashed a bad file or whatever. If you consider their side of things - you can understand why they might want to plug that hole....
regardless - I am a flashaholic - it is a disease - I need help desperately - lol - but seriously - I do hope we find that these are just rumours and that Tmobile has taken the high road and kept our phones open and "flashable"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was official and VERIFIED TMobile's twitter account. Click on their twitter handle and you will see what I happen.
Will they sell develper editions of the S5? Like the S4? I havent seen any for sale yet. I really dont want to shell out $600 for a phone just so i can customize it.. Might as well wait on the Nexus 6:crying: or maybe i will jump ship to the New one m8 google edition (even tho imo its ugly and still costs alot of $$)
XxSHaDoWxSLaYeRxX said:
Will they sell develper editions of the S5? Like the S4? I havent seen any for sale yet. I really dont want to shell out $600 for a phone just so i can customize it.. Might as well wait on the Nexus 6:crying: or maybe i will jump ship to the New one m8 google edition (even tho imo its ugly and still costs alot of $$)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The standard AT&T HTC m8 version has been confirmed to have an unlockable bootloader via the htc dev tool if you are concerned about having to buy off contract.
This is why I'm only buying Google edition phones now.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Enough said
Sent from my Nexus 5
Walter.White said:
It was official and VERIFIED TMobile's twitter account. Click on their twitter handle and you will see what I happen.
Click to expand...
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Can't stop laughing at your sig
XxSHaDoWxSLaYeRxX said:
Can't stop laughing at your sig
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Click to collapse
And that dude wasn't even drunk.
mircury said:
The standard AT&T HTC m8 version has been confirmed to have an unlockable bootloader via the htc dev tool if you are concerned about having to buy off contract.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And an S-OFF tool has been released...the phone can now be fully and completely unlocked.
Combine that with a microSD slot and I'm hitting AT&T tomorrow like a fat kid through a cookie store.
Get em while you can!