Droid X actually self-destructs if you try to mod it

[+John. Subscriber¹]

IMO, not on. Bit of an extreme, and not going to be very favourable in the modding community.

[BoneyardBrew Member]

Now that's just taking it too far. :crazy:

[alfaaqua]

Then why do you have to root in the first place?

It's just like jailbreak. The manufacturer puts limitations on the phone, but if you don't like the limitation, you can always void your warranty and root/jailbreak it.

Jailbreak and rooting a phone is not the same in the strict sense

[Soulsiphon]

Motorola - I have something for you to blow...

[tsupersonic]

Then why do you have to root in the first place?

It's just like jailbreak. The manufacturer puts limitations on the phone, but if you don't like the limitation, you can always void your warranty and root/jailbreak it.

Not the manufacturer, but rather the carrier is the one that imposes the restrictions.

Why do people root their phones?

1) To say they can - Android is a platform that attracts geeks, so naturally people want to do it

2) To load custom ROM's people create, and to test out new releases like Android 2.2

[Soulsiphon]

Jailbreak and rooting a phone is not the same in the strict sense

What strict sense is that? Having jailbroken every iPhone I ever owned AND rooting my Android devices, they are exactly the same - just different terms for different devices. Okay so you won't replace iPhone OS but you aren't really replacing WM or droid when you flash custom roms either, just a variation on the theme.

Both allow you to modify your phone in ways not intended by the manufacturer or carrier.

[RichardK]

Droid X actually self-destructs if you try to mod it

Well, I might have recommended a Droid X for big-phone-lovin? fandroids out there? but now that I?ve read about Motorola?s insane eFuse security system, I?m going to have to give this one a big fat DON?T BUY on principle. I won?t restate all my reasons for supporting the modding, hacking, jailbreaking, and so on of your legally-owned products here ? if you?re interested in a user?s manifesto, read this ? but suffice it to say that deliberately bricking a phone if the user fiddles with it does not fall under the ?reasonable? category of precautions taken by manufacturers.

Really. If you want to make it difficult to hack, that?s fine. You think your software should be enough, that?s fine. But once I pay money for the item, it?s mine, and disabling my device because you don?t like what I?m doing with it falls under the category of sabotage.

Here?s what eFuse does. This information is a couple days old but it?s worth reading if you?re interested in Android, development, or open standards in general. Besides, I just found out about it, so you have to read my words whether you like it or not. or you could just stop reading. Either way. Anyway:

It requires a hardware fix, apparently, only available through Motorola, of course. This is the equivalent of a MacBook detonating some core component if you try to install an OS to dual boot.

Will many users run into this problem? Probably not, but Android is a platform that not only was founded on the idea of openness, but thrives because of it. The grey market of sideloaded apps and custom ROMs will only get more popular and more easily accessed as people realize that their phones are tiny computers waiting to be customized. That idea is anathema to Motorola and clearly they will continue to stoop to unreasonable means to ?protect? their hardware ? which you bought and paid for.

So here?s my official recommendation: don?t buy a Droid phone and don?t recommend them to your friends. There are too many good options out there that aren?t locked down by nefarious means. Look up a Galaxy phone or wait for the next awesome thing to come along. Vote with your wallet and tell Motorola ?open or GTFO.?

Source: MobileCrunch

COOL! Apple needs to do the same.

AND (this is a REALLY BIG AND), unless you pay full price for a phone, not the subsidized price that you pay on contract, it's not your phone until you have fulfilled your contractual obligation. So can it with your self righteous crap.

[DukeEsquire]

Jailbreak and rooting a phone is not the same in the strict sense

Pretty much the same thing.

They give you root level access on the phone. I guess they are spelled different. Root is spelled "R-O-O-T" and jailbreak is spelled "J-A-I-L-B-R-E-A-K".

But, the end result is the same: root access.

[alfaaqua]

What strict sense is that? Having jailbroken every iPhone I ever owned AND rooting my Android devices, they are exactly the same - just different terms for different devices. Okay so you won't replace iPhone OS but you aren't really replacing WM or droid when you flash custom roms either, just a variation on the theme.

Both allow you to modify your phone in ways not intended by the manufacturer or carrier.

Basically (im not going to go into details; those you can look up yourself)

Jailbreak allows you to install applications which are not signed by Apple and/or are not in the App Store

Root access allows you to access system files/functions/etc which are not typically accessed (but can be accessed from any normal nonrooted Android app with certain exceptions)

Pretty much the same thing.

They give you root level access on the phone. I guess they are spelled different. Root is spelled "R-O-O-T" and jailbreak is spelled "J-A-I-L-B-R-E-A-K".

But, the end result is the same: root access.

See above.

[ArmedMonkey]

Then why do you have to root in the first place?

It's just like jailbreak. The manufacturer puts limitations on the phone, but if you don't like the limitation, you can always void your warranty and root/jailbreak it.

The difference is, if it's a voided warranty, it's like saying "do what you want, but we are not responsible". Whereas this is, "if you do this, i will effing stab you through the heart"

COOL! Apple needs to do the same.

AND (this is a REALLY BIG AND), unless you pay full price for a phone, not the subsidized price that you pay on contract, it's not your phone until you have fulfilled your contractual obligation. So can it with your self righteous crap.

Ok, so if I buy it without a contract, are they gonna give it to me without the eFuse? No. Now quit YOUR self righteous crap you troll. You have little understanding of what the contracts are and are for, so next time read yours.

[+Warwagon MVC]

Ok, so if I buy it without a contract, are they gonna give it to me without the eFuse? No. Now quit YOUR self righteous crap you troll. You have little understanding of what the contracts are and are for, so next time read yours.

HAHAHAHAHAHA ...Oh god...I seriously just laughed out loud on that one. That was great! (Y)

[Tech Star]

I am calm, just expressing my opinion. And no, most Android makers DO NOT tell you what you can and cannot do. Why they don't frown on people rooting their phone like Apple does. Why they allow a ton of devs to mod the phone's software and make changes to it. We can also overclock our phones. Motorola is the exception tho.

http://androidandme.com/2009/09/hacks/cyanogenmod-in-trouble/

Everyone?s favorite Android hacker appears to have angered someone at Google. We just received word that Cyanogen has received a cease and desist letter from Google.

The Android hackers have also ticked off htc. So, no, they do frown upon it just as Apple frowns upon it.

[ArmedMonkey]

I don't actually own an android phone yet - so out of curiosity, why are they ticking off the manufacturers? The carriers I can see, but... HTC and Moto seem to have little stake in this past warranty issues.

[Growled Member]

Well it is from Motorola so I'm not surprised.

Indeed.

[giga Veteran]

Basically (im not going to go into details; those you can look up yourself)

Jailbreak allows you to install applications which are not signed by Apple and/or are not in the App Store

Root access allows you to access system files/functions/etc which are not typically accessed (but can be accessed from any normal nonrooted Android app with certain exceptions)

See above.

Jailbreaking is not limited to just installing non-App Store apps and provides root access to the system as well.

[Quattrone]

Wondering if this initiative from Motorola will be follow be other companies as well, like Apple. Which by the way will not surprise me at all if Apple is next doing this type of thing because of their very toug regulations and policies.

[Hardcore Til I Die]

Hello? Where are the iPhone 4 critics to tell me once again I should buy a Droid X instead?

Seems like it will only be a problem if you root the phone, so just don't root it.. it's still a phone you can hold any way you like ;)

[Nagisan]

Then why are getting a Droid X/Android phone in the first place?

1. I want a good phone with app support

2. I must be on the Verizon network (either I let my parents pay the phone bill and stay on Verizon, or I pay my own and pick my carrier, of which, Verizon has the best network)

3. I want a phone with internet access as I have no access on my laptop where I am staying at right now

So in short, because the Droid X/an Android phone is the best phone that meets my needs.

[Lexcyn]

Is this even legal for them to do? Sure, you are breaking their TOU by trying to root or whatever, but to actually physically brick your phone for doing it seems a little too far. Fine, the warranty is void, but I am not sure making your phone useless is legal, since you paid for the hardware. This isn't software where you only buy a license to use it.

[ArmedMonkey]

I'm pretty sure in the united states a EULA can say, "if you break the EULA we get to kick you in the nuts"

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Engadget asked Motorola for an explanation and received the following reply:

"Motorola's primary focus is the security of our end users and protection of their data, while also meeting carrier, partner and legal requirements. The Droid X and a majority of Android consumer devices on the market today have a secured bootloader. In reference specifically to eFuse, the technology is not loaded with the purpose of preventing a consumer device from functioning, but rather ensuring for the user that the device only runs on updated and tested versions of software. If a device attempts to boot with unapproved software, it will go into recovery mode, and can re-boot once approved software is re-installed. Checking for a valid software configuration is a common practice within the industry to protect the user against potential malicious software threats. Motorola has been a long time advocate of open platforms and provides a number of resources to developers to foster the ecosystem including tools and access to devices via MOTODEV at http://developer.motorola.com."

Source

So... the phone won't be bricked, but still unusable if you try to run an alternative firmware on it.

[micro]

Find said fuse and bridge it with solder.

[eXtermia]

I'm pretty sure in the united states a EULA can say, "if you break the EULA we get to kick you in the nuts"

I think the FCC should get involved. Mobile phones have become the sole telephones for some. In an emergency the phone should just work. Why should I want a phone that because of a parity error or it "thinks" it is trying to be hacked become a brick.

We are not talking an xbox 360 where someones life may be dependant on it. In fact I would gladly see a class action suit if it is true as they are putting a dliberate "flaw" in the device, that may or not cost a human life.

Electronics are not infallible but you should never do this with a device that people depend on. Or just imagine if someone finds a way to do an over-the-air kill switch for anyone near bricking the phone by sending malicious code.

Simply put e-Fuses should never be in consumer devices that are people are depended upon day by day. If this is true bad move Motorola.

Of course I hope someone does find a way to root it and disable said E-Fuse permantly and actually make the device more reliable.

[+Fulcrum Subscriber¹]

Now we know How Ethan Hunt is going to get his next mission.

[ArmedMonkey]

I think the FCC should get involved. Mobile phones have become the sole telephones for some. In an emergency the phone should just work. Why should I want a phone that because of a parity error or it "thinks" it is trying to be hacked become a brick.

We are not talking an xbox 360 where someones life may be dependant on it. In fact I would gladly see a class action suit if it is true as they are putting a dliberate "flaw" in the device, that may or not cost a human life.

Electronics are not infallible but you should never do this with a device that people depend on. Or just imagine if someone finds a way to do an over-the-air kill switch for anyone near bricking the phone by sending malicious code.

Simply put e-Fuses should never be in consumer devices that are people are depended upon day by day. If this is true bad move Motorola.

Of course I hope someone does find a way to root it and disable said E-Fuse permantly and actually make the device more reliable.

Before I read your post I was about to make a comment about how those PR ******* have the audacity to outright lie about their motives and tell us it's for their own good. But then I read your post and I now wish to remark that you have a similar audacity to claim that this is somehow going to endanger your life. You've GOT to be kidding, right?

To reiterate, I agree with you in principle, but I think that's going a bit far. Nobody's gonna die. Just sales are gonna drop.