Android openness is just a gimmick bootloader still locked

&http://www.aliyun.com/zixun/aggregation/37954.html ">nbsp;   U.S. technology blog Theverge recently wrote that HTC, Samsung and other Android phone manufacturers advertised the openness is still "empty cheque", its so-called "open" is only for operators, rather than ordinary consumers. The 2013 flagship Android Bootloader is still locked and the "key" is in the hands of large operators.      Following is the full text of the article:     "check"      about two years ago, HTC CEO in response to outside pressure, the public made such a commitment: " We will no longer lock the bootloader on our own equipment. "But today, HTC is only partially cashing in on that promise, while other vendors are more flattering in keeping the Android ecosystem" open ". The bootloader is still locked and the "key" is in the hands of the operator.      The so-called bootloader refers to a small program that runs before the OS kernel starts. Through this small program, you can initialize the hardware device, build a memory space map, so that the system's hardware and software environment to a suitable state, so as to finally call the operating system kernel ready to the correct environment.      If users want to fully control the phone's hardware and software functions, then bootloader will play a vital role. If the bootloader is locked, the user will not be able to run their own operating system on the phone, and if the bootloader is unlocked, the user will not be subject to any restrictions from the operator and be customized to the ROM.      Given that the 2013 hottest Android flagship phones are available, let's examine their bootloader status now. As you might guess, the results are not as ideal as we think--as far as we know, large American operators are still forcing Android to lock in bootloader on their phones.      Developer Version      However, the reality does not seem as scary as it sounds. Samsung occasionally launches a "developer version" of the flagship model, Bootloader will not be locked in, but this version of the market late. HTC and Sony are also following suit. Although the developer version is not the ideal solution, they are full price, no subsidyModels, and carriers are always out of stock, but they offer at least one option to the user.      In addition, although the operators have placed a lot of defensive lines, hackers can still find a way to unlock bootloader. Even the industry-renowned Motorola Lock-in version has been breached recently, and there are signs that Samsung Galaxy S4 's bootloader has been cracked.      HTC has also created a system that allows users to register their own unique phone identification codes and receive unlock keys. This system has been used in HTC One, where most users can access the HTC Web site and request code to unlock the bootloader.      When we asked Samsung about which models they were locked down, the company didn't want to answer directly, but instead asked us to ask each of the operators individually. HTC, in an interview with us, said that of the 185 operators selling HTC One, only two blocked users from unlocking bootloader. But HTC has not disclosed who the two operators are.      Surface      After a survey, we found that the two operators were most likely at&t and Verizon. The Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One,bootloader they operate are locked. Verizon has not yet officially announced the distribution of HTC One, but there are indications that it will do so. We asked Verizon why it continued to lock down the phone's bootloader, as it did last November: to ensure an "excellent user experience". "Our stance on bootloader openness has not changed for HTC One,"      Verizon said in a statement. Consumers look forward to getting some level of service from us. Once a device is changed due to open bootloader, we cannot guarantee the performance and security of the device and the excellent user experience that the consumer has always expected. In addition, Verizon attaches great importance to the safety of devices, and open bootloader can compromise device security. A secure BootLoader does not restrict and constrain the ability of consumers to access or download related device applications. "     as in the past, among the four major U.S. operators, the lesser operators are more willing to advertise openness." Sprint and T are more active in the HTC Unlock Bootloader project. Sprint says HTC one user can unlock BootloAder, and Galaxy S4 will not be locked when it is listed. T claims that HTC one and Galaxy S4 are locked, but the company does not prevent users from unlocking them.      Status Complex      T also issued a statement saying "T will not prevent users from unlocking bootloader, but we are committed to providing users with a good experience, Installing unauthorized firmware can adversely affect this experience. In addition, this helps to avoid fraudulent behavior from loss of equipment and to prevent security threats from Third-party firmware detected by T and its OEM partners. "     So the opening of the Android platform is very complex, at least for the two leading Android companies, Samsung and HTC." Some of America's biggest carriers still keep Android devices locked as far as possible, while smaller operators are slightly willing to leave room for users to unlock bootloader.      Most surprisingly, HTC and Samsung are reluctant to disclose the specifics of their devices ' control of the software. The outside world often complains that Android's so-called "openness" is only for operators, not consumers. Finally, we have come to the conclusion that the 2013 flagship Android Bootloader is still locked, and the "key" is in the hands of the flagship operator.