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Motorola Photon Q to Ship with Unlockable Bootloader

Jul 26, 2012, 3:47 PM by Eric M. Zeman

Motorola today revealed that the Photon Q, launching in August on Sprint's network, will have an unlockable bootloader. Motorola has traditionally kept the bootloaders of its Android smartphones locked. The Photon Q will be the first to ship with an unlockable bootloader, and Motorola said more devices with unlockable bootloaders will follow. Motorola said it will provide instructions on how to unlock the Photon Q's bootloader once it launches. In the past, Motorola argued that unlocking the bootloaders of Android smartphones made them less secure. It didn't say what changed its mind on the issue.

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Motorola Photon Q

4.3" display 540 x 960 pixels
Snapdragon processor 1 GB RAM
1,785 mAh battery
Memory Card Slot, Hardware Text Keyboard, Headphone Jack (3.5mm), NFC

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Comments

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This forum is closed.

scottegos2

Jul 30, 2012, 12:28 PM

Doesn't make up for locking the SIM (or battery)

Well, it's nice in principle that they're unlocking the bootloader. Maybe it's a sign of good things to come if they ever come out with an LTE phone that's actually worth buying. I have the Photon 4G and was initially super-excited about the Q. Then I realized that they locked the SIM card so that you're stuck with the insane Sprint international roaming and kept virtually the same size battery and made it non-removable! I can honestly say that, without a spare battery or two, my Photon would be useless to me. Unbelievable.

island-guy

I wouldn't hold my breath until I see the actual bootloader unlocked....unfortunately Moto has been using this to lure customers for years. I thought Google acquiring Moto would be a positive step in this direction but that will remain to be seen. Goo...
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Captain Ahash

Jul 26, 2012, 4:37 PM

I'm guessing

this was greatly influenced by their new owners?

tjobrien21

Heck, who cares.. It's a great improvement! 🙂

After all, when you buy a phone, it's your hardware. You can talk on it, use it like it is, root and mod it, or prop up an uneven table leg with it. So an unlockable bootloader is how it should have b...
(continues)

tastybento

Jul 26, 2012, 5:46 PM

Motorola Mobility - right?

There is still Motorola Solutions, which isn't owned by Google...

johnhr2

Motorola broke up into Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions back in early 2011 I believe. Motorola Mobility makes mobile phones, tablets, modems, home phones, home digital video, two way radios, and baby monitors and is now own by Google. Motoro...
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