Motorola Droid X and Droid 2 Won't Allow Custom ROMs

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letmein

letmein

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DROID X, DROID 2 Won't Allow Custom ROMs

Various reports are indicating that both the Motorola DROID X and DROID 2 smartphones will ship with a locked and encrypted (aka digitally signed) bootloader. This will mean that owners will not have the ability to flash custom ROMS that are not officially approved and signed by Motorola. This will also put a strain on developers who sell ROOT-only apps on the Android Market.

So much for the "open" platform.

Although the original DROID isn't locked, the move follows similar actions taken with the internationally-launched Motorola Milestone. Apparently Motorola didn't like the idea of consumers flashing the DROID with custom ROMs, and thus locked out owners and developers with the next smartphone release. The Android modding community was outraged, however Motorola felt justified in its move.

"Securing the software on our handsets, thereby preventing a non-Motorola ROM image from being loaded, has been our common practice for many years," explained Lori Fraleigh in this Motorola blog back in February. "This practice is driven by a number of different business factors. When we do deviate from our normal practice, such as we did with the DROID, there is a specific business reason for doing so. We understand this can result in some confusion, and apologize for any frustration."

Naturally hackers will find a way to modify the DROID X and DROID 2--it may take longer than seen with the DROID, but it will eventually happen. Still, the modding community has options, as Motorola apparently suggested the Nexus One, the T-Mobile G1 or the HTC Dream as platforms for developing unofficial ROMS.

The Motorola DROID X will be available online and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores Thursday for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.
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Yes, it will be cracked. But disallowing custom ROMs defeats the purpose of being an "open" platform. If Motorola does this, the new droids = iPhone. Most people who switch to Android do it for the customization/flexibility it allows. Just hope other manufacturers don't follow this.
 
It's not just software encryption, it seems the new Droids have hardware chip which validates the encrypted code. So anything besides it's supposed to see is read, it stops phone from booting... supposedly.

As for protecting the software, I think in a way Motorola is justified... Just because Android is available for free to manufacturers doesn't mean that everyone is liable to provide option for user to install their competitors or custom ROM. However, it's one thing for company to not support such endeavors (by nullifying the warranty on custom installed ROMs or rooted phones) and it's another thing to actively stopping users from doing so and even going to extent of bricking their phones in process.

Motorola seem to forget that even though they came back from almost sleeping in grave... it's still a very much possibility for them given the competition in this field.
 
Developers haven't managed to pull this off with a Milestone yet and I dont think its cause of the lack of trying. I pity the Motorola users, they are missing out on so much :P
 
Root will happen even with this restriction.

Its just the bootloader access that will be an issue and hence there wont be custom roms for a while ( Read, long time :P )

It will not decrease your customization options. You will still be able to customize your phones. You will still be able to use custom launchers, widgets etc. These tasks are not even root dependent.

You will still be able to install any apk file you want.

They will also have to release source.

But yeah, motorola should take a hint from HTC. Be good to customers and modders, they will be good to you.
 
Remember ROOTING and installing CUSTOM ROMS are different. bootloader needs to be cracked for those custom roms to be installed. Attaining root access usually is easier. Milestones rooted (no custom rom!)
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Remember that this uses the same bootloader the milestone does and its been 8 months and still no custom roms but with the x being in the USA expect development to pick up a 100 fold on getting the bootloader cracked
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Well atleast its a start! :P
 
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