The other day, we voiced our disgust over rumors that the eForce chip (that will supposedly be standard fare on Motorola devices moving forward) would render phones bricked/useless/glorified paper weights if custom ROMS of any type were attempted to be flashed. Protecting your hardware, software, and consumers is one thing. Actively trying to shut down legitimate avenues and uses for someone’s purchased hardware after the fact is downright asinine. So what does Moto have to say about all of the backlash?
Per Motorola:
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.
I don’t know about you, but when I see the highlighted text, nothing but “BRICK” comes to mind. A phone that is stuck in a recovery purgatory of sorts is in my mind, no different than being bricked/useless. Moto’s claim that the locked bootloader doesn’t make hacked phones useless is effectively a lie.
So as the title of the post says, Motorola has just announced that the locked bootloader doesn’t brick phones…it bricks phones. Fluster cluck — yes.
- February 5, 2010 10:02 am
Frequent the digital underground of those ruthless and highly violent iPhone jailbreakers? It’s not nearly that dramatic or sinister, though Apple would like you to think otherwise. Truth be told, jailbreaking is a liberating experience. It gives back to you, the owner of the device, the reigns to do just about whatever you want. Nifty stuff.
With that said, obtaining such forbidden fruits came with several options. There is the ever infamous and stable Dev-Team’s “PwnageTool” which makes complete custom firmwares from scratch. Some people don’t want the bother of having to reload firmware and re-sync all of their content. Fair enough. For such people, Blackra1n was their poison of choice.
In case you were unfamiliar with BR, it is a project of a rather young hacker/developer who goes by “Geohot”. His work has spanned the generations of the iPhone and just recently moved into PS3 hacking — no small feat. With all of the accomplishments under his belt, it would seem like nothing could stop this kid. Unfortunately for us, Blackra1n’s users’ fears are materializing after the 3.1.3 iPhone update. The outlook isn’t too promising for now as a recent Twitter post by the young chap states:
“There is no solution for 3.1.3 on newer devices or 05.12.01 (baseband). There is no untethered jailbreak. I don’t know if/when these things will exist.
Disappointing stuff to say the least. But let’s be real, how many times have we heard these “jailbreak doomsday” tales? I seem to remember such comments following just about every iPhone update since day 1. With that in mind, don’t count out new devices/firmwares just yet.
**Important stuff: While the patch over a normal firmware method used by Blackra1n is not functioning on 3.1.3, the Dev-Team has in fact cracked 3.1.3 for all but there newest iPhone 3GS and most recent iPod Touches. Something to keep in mind if you really must have that ever so important and exciting 3.1.3 update.
The cat & mouse game between Apple and jailbreakers is nothing new. It will continue on forever as long as Apple maintains their asinine stance on jailbreaking in general, iron glove and all. The jailbreakers will feel increasingly pissed and frustrated with some even leaving to other, more inviting platforms. Yet life will go on.
Walyou
Geohot’s Blog
