The back and forth between Motorola and XDA Developers has undergone a new chapter as the bootloader for the Atrix 4G phone has been locked down to prevent any installation of custom ROMs. That means that for now, there’s no way to remove MotoBlur, or add any custom work to the phone. When it comes to adding custom ROMS Angry users already know the score target=”_blank” via Twitter: “@tdcrooks if you want to do custom roms, then buy elsewhere, we’ll continue with our strategy that is working thanks.”

The good news is, it’s only a matter of time before the gang over at XDA developers unlock it. The Droid X got the same treatment last year and it unlocked after a concerted effort. And if the only thing users really need is to get by MotoBlur, then they an root their phones and run root-only apps, like ADW Launcher EX. But just remember that venturing into that territory may void your warranty.

[via XDA Developers]

7 COMMENTS

  1. The problem is not so much the fact that the bootloader is locker, as most manufacturers lock their bootloader in some way. Rather, the problem stems from the fact that Motorola not only locks the bootloader, but also encrypts it to prevent tampering. That’s the major issue. Does this mean that the bootloader is merely locked, or is it also encrypted? Please clarify.

  2. Hence the reason I will never again buy a Moto product. The DX (which i have) is NOT unlocked really, you still can’t load custom kernels on it so while you can remove blur you can’t have a stock option like a Cyanogen rom. I like the work that many devs hv done (been running RubiX for a while now) but Moto continues to make life diffcult for devs which makes them the Apple of Android

  3. ADW Launcher EX. is not a root-only app, does not void your warranty and doesn’t need any special know how. Just download he launcher from the market and use it. It works well, as does Launcher Pro.

  4. Please correct this post. The Droid X and Droid 2 were not unlocked. There was a circumvention to allow installation of a custom “ROM.” The bootloader lock is still in tact and prevents installation of a custom kernel.

    The top layer of security was circumvented. The base layer of security for the bootlaoder is still there.

  5. I agree with you i have owned both now and the functionality of the
    atrix blows the iphone out of the water. I phone is still the nicest
    looking device out there right now.

    Apple wont do flash. steve jobs already said that. they are going to use html5…

    the
    iphone is good at what it does and it was revolutionary 5 years ago but
    things change. it is no longer a 1 os market and people need to realize
    tha

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