However, for the end user Android is anything but “open.” OEMs and especially carriers have seen fit to lock down Android on handsets as much as possible. I hope this won’t be the case for WiFi devices. XDA devs have stated that it looks like Google is even working with OEMs and carriers to ensure that users cannot unlock the bootloader any longer–there are good reasons the carriers want to do this (mainly money) however, the end user ought to be able to root their device and customize as they see fit without voiding the warranty–not being able to do this feels like a direct smack in the face against Android and end users. This is one of those situation in which company interests take an open OS and make it more locked up than a proprietary OS and therefore make updates more difficult. . . just not an optimal situation.

. . . really sick of the carriers!!!

Google originally wanted to make unlocked universal phones that would work on any carrier. The carriers told Google flat out that they would not support the devices thus Android would have been DOA. Google gave in and has gone the route we are currently on and we can see how carriers are continually mucking with Android. . . where’s the FTC when you need them? Carriers, you are ISP providers for smartphones. . . just provide the data connection and leave the devices alone!

However, for the end user Android is anything but “open.” OEMs and especially carriers have seen fit to lock down Android on handsets as much as possible. I hope this won’t be the case for WiFi devices. XDA devs have stated that it looks like Google is even working with OEMs and carriers to ensure that users cannot unlock the bootloader any longer–there are good reasons the carriers want to do this (mainly money) however, the end user ought to be able to root their device and customize as they see fit without voiding the warranty–not being able to do this feels like a direct smack in the face against Android and end users. This is one of those situation in which company interests take an open OS and make it more locked up than a proprietary OS and therefore make updates more difficult. . . just not an optimal situation.

. . . really sick of the carriers!!!

Google originally wanted to make unlocked universal phones that would work on any carrier. The carriers told Google flat out that they would not support the devices thus Android would have been DOA. Google gave in and has gone the route we are currently on and we can see how carriers are continually mucking with Android. . . where’s the FTC when you need them? Carriers, you are ISP providers for smartphones. . . just provide the data connection and leave the devices alone!