Motorola to unlock bootloaders starting with the PHOTON Q

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If you're the type that enjoys tweaking or hacking your Android smartphone or tablet, Motorola's been known to make that a pretty difficult process. Same goes for developers wanting full access to their smartphones because Motorola locks the bootloader on all their devices. After multiple comments on the matter and promising unlocked bootloaders last year, they are finally coming.

Today Motorola made a very small and brief announcement on their blog that starting with the just announced Motorola PHOTON Q 4G LTE they'll be allowing bootloaders to be unlocked. HTC and ASUS have both took similar steps after initially locking down their devices from developers, so it's good to see Motorola finally coming around.

For months now we've been working closely with our developers and carrier partners to provide users a way to to unlock the bootloader on their Motorola Mobility device while keeping the networks secure and satisfying carriers' requirements. And we've finally found a solution.

What we can expect is locked down devices that ship to users, but Motorola will release some sort of unlock tool for those who are willing to void their warranty and unlock their device. HTC and ASUS both offer a similar tool (and the warranty disclaimer) so that is what we're expecting from Motorola. Now that Google bought up Motorola Mobility and is taking over the reins, we could be seeing more moves for the better this like one coming soon.

The PHOTON Q 4G LTE will be the first phone with this option, and Motorola stated "other products will have this option too in the future." Stay tuned for more info once Moto confirms all the details.

[via Android Community]