OPERATION: Make Ourselves Heard (#OPMOSH) 2.0
"Developer Edition"
DISCLAIMER:
We here, in the movement of #OPMOSH do not consider this spam, we do not consider this slandering Moto, we simply use this as a method of having our concerns heard. Motorola Mobility Inc. has been a powerful company that has been around for a very long time, and one we hope to see long in the future as well, before and after the Google buyout (which, might I add, is not completed). That being said...
Prologue:
Motorola Mobility Inc.'s executives and PR team have become famous for lying, having generally poor consumer relations, and amongst all, having a tendency to flat out prove time and time again that it cares very little for its customers after they walk out of that store with their shiny Motorola-branded device. It's definitely not hard to find examples of this - their refusal to upgrade devices that are fully capable of running the latest Android OS, the XOOM 4G upgrade fiasco, re-releasing phones with the same hardware but the most current OS (Defy/Defy+, anyone?), and even locking their bootloaders in the first place. Galaxy Nexus users around the world are laughing in our faces, now. But why is that?
Well, since the early days of Android, post Droid 1, we have (mostly) remained quiet about our locked bootloaders, hoping that one day Motorola would take a second glance at us, and follow other companies leads. The Droid X, the Droid 2, Droid 2 Global, Droid X2, Droid Bionic, and dozens more devices slid by with locked bootloaders, to the dismay of those wanting a long-term device like the Droid 1 was... There came to be a boiling point, though - and many, MANY full-out wars were launched on their social media sites, just a year ago. Sound familiar? Yes, the same thing that worked with HTC's (and now with Asus') bootloader policies.
At the end of the most successful campaign, known as the #UnlockMoto movement (which I extend my deepest gratitude towards everyone involved in), we received a broad, carefully worded announcement, via AusDroid, that unlockable bootloaders were being looked into. Flash forward to late 2011, and we're given another announcement, still quite broad, about the unlockable bootloaders... a "second half of 2011" timing for software releases, via MOTODEV.
...Welcome to Q1 2012, Motorola fans. Not only have they missed their deadline, and rogue-edited their blog post's timeframe for the bootloader unlock software rollout from the "second half of 2011" to "later this year", but they have actually given an official announcement of their plans... to release a completely separate HARDWARE version of the RAZR with an unlockable bootloader. This is unacceptable for those of us who dished out 700 dollars, full retail, to get our brand new Droid RAZR/Droid RAZR MAXX in hopes that they would eventually set free, and even MORE unacceptable for Droid 3, Bionic, and other Motorola users that don't even get an eyelash batted at. DOWNRIGHT UNACCEPTABLE. Basically... Motorola has screwed us over. Again.
But we here at #OPMOSH aren't done. Raise your voices - let's Make OurSelves Heard yet again, to let Moto know that this "Developer Edition" RAZR had better be available either as a trade for our devices, old or new, paying the difference in price, or not at all, since we all bought our devices in hopes that they would keep their word in the first place. Everyone counts!
Moto's Facebook - Moto's Twitter - Petition - FCC Complaints (Against Verizon)
So....What can I do?
Well, at this time, we don't know whether it is Verizon's or Motorola's decision that is causing all of these bootloader-related problems, so there's quite a few general things that you can do to help inch them along. The most important of them all would be to...
FIRST OFF, SIGN THE PETITION:
This is included in the email, so it is crucial that it continues to grow in number.
This petition is specifically worded so that they unlock their EXISTING bootloaders rather than releasing ~Developer's Editions~ of all of their phones. So much for their plans to not saturate the market with 9,000 phones in 2012, right?
Then....
TRY CALLING VERIZON'S EXECUTIVES.
Make sure before calling that you are very informed about the issue and confident in your position, yet can be quite calm. Do not show any disrespect towards Marie H or the person you call. They are merely the (wo)man-in-the-middle, and you simply need to explain to them your position and back it up with facts. Also, do note that all times are EST.
Call Marie H. at (412) 266-7756 on Monday - Fridays, 8 am to 5 pm. OR Michelle at (803) 231-1787 on Monday - Fridays, 7 am to 4 pm. OR Call Verizon customer service at *611 or (800) 922-0204 and get to a rep by mashing 0.
This is something you cannot copy-paste, unfortunately. Here are some guidelines that should help you be successful in your endeavor:
- First off, if you get the voicemail, leave your name, number, and a time you can be contacted in case they wish to follow-up call.
- Mention that many are filing FCC complaints because locking smartphone bootloaders prevents users from installing the software that they want (the OS), and thus violates Block C guidelines. (Do research in case this is brought into question)
- Mention that HTC, Motorola, and Samsung have bootloader-unlockable devices on the network right now, so there's no legitimate reason to be selling a totally new device... (HTC has their 2011 devices, Moto has the Xoom, and Samsung the Galaxy Nexus)
- Mention that the bootloader being unlocked does not allow the device to do anything that a laptop that is using a 4G hotspot cannot do even faster/more efficiently, including hogging network resources.
- Mention that the bootloaders being FORCE locked (as in, not unlockable) does not offer protection from any present viruses or attacks of Android devices.
- Mention also that unlocking the bootloaders could very well use a system like HTC uses - which stores the IMEI of the device and voids its software warranty indefinitely, making Verizon's warranty services not liable for what a user installs on their device.
- Close your talk/voicemail by stating the number of signatures on the petition, currently well over 5,000, and saying that this is a widespread concern of many users, that wish Android to be truly open.
- Say thank you before you hang up, it'll really give off a good impression.
Also, you could...
TRY AN FCC COMPLAINT:
http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm
Select Wireless Telephone > Billing, Service, Privacy, Number Portability and other issues > Online Form. Fill out your information, scroll down, fill out 1 and 2, skip 3 and 4. Then in 5:
- Tell the FCC that your phone’s bootloader was sold to you locked, preventing the regulatory requirement of BLOCK C Devices (MAKE SURE TO MENTION BLOCK C!!!) that "Consumers should be able to download and utilize any software applications, content, or services they desire" - make sure to cite that.
- Also helpful would be dispelling the "Reasonable network management" exclusion. Tell the FCC that Verizon allows tethering of unauthorized devices to 4G LTE services through their mobile hotspots and their paid phone tethering functionality as-is, ones that are more bandwidth-hungry and also permit installing custom operating systems, and have a potential of doing significantly more damage, such as laptops.
If you don't want to write yours up manually, we will have a pre-made step 5 that you can just copy paste soon, hopefully.
Don't forget to...
TRY EMAILING:
TO: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
To Whom It May Concern,
Motorola, please, we beg of you to hear us out. We bought your devices faithfully, some of us standing in line, some of us saving our hard-earned money for weeks, for months, because we were so excited to get our hands on this shiny new piece of technology, be it the Droid 3, the RAZR, the Droid RAZR, the Bionic, the Atrix 4G... Even the Droid X, Droid 2, Milestone, and other users. We were aching to do the impossible with it - to break records with unparalleled speed, to optimize, to customize. To shun those who didn't believe in you delivering on your promise to unlock the full potential for your well-constructed devices, Motorola. We've been faithfully waiting.
And waiting, and waiting. Until today, when you delivered the announcement of the Motorola RAZR Developer's Edition. And unfortunately, this is not like the XOOM's 4G upgrade, where users could send in their already purchased devices - no. This is a completely new device. There is zero compensation or consideration for those of us who already have Motorola-branded phones in our hands.
Motorola.... We Droid RAZR users... We Atrix 4G users... We Droid Bionic users... Even we Droid RAZR MAXX users that got our phones less than a week ago... What about us, Motorola? You gave us your word. It was a tipping decision for a lot of your buyers that purchased the Droid RAZR, to know that we would be a part of history, having the very first Motorola device with an unlockable bootloader. Why did you alienate us? You saw all of our petitions, and this announcement seems a lot like a one-trick pony, something that will start here, not sell well (because we've already purchased the exact same phone and aren't financially able to purchase another), and never happen again. Will there ever be a consumer device that also doubles as a treat for the enthusiasts, like the Transformer Prime? Or any of HTC's devices? As faithful customers, we've been faithfully waiting.
This is like a slap in the face to every buyer of your high-end phones. We very much do appreciate that you're trying, but this is not the solution you need, or that we need. At least not in its current form. Please put your foot down firmly. If Verizon is causing this, you do have the ability to change it. Nexus devices changed it. HTC changed it.
Honor your core demographic, the Android enthusiasts, and unlock your devices. If not the ones you've already released, then all in the future. 2012 is an important year for all of us. Please.
Sincerely,
One of the over 15,000 people represented by the internet petitions listed below.
http://www.change.org/petitions/motorola-mobility-inc-unlock-all-smartphone-bootloaders-2
http://www.groubal.com/motorola-lockedencrypted-bootloader-policy/
Or...
TRY TWEETING:
Really, @Motorola? I don't see any mention of a "Developer's Edition". http://moto.ly/icsboot #OPMOSH2
Or even...
TRY POSTING ON THEIR FACEBOOK WALL:
I'm fairly sure a "Developer's Edition" of the same phone isn't a "software release", Motorola. Give us a break. http://moto.ly/icsboot
But above all...
MAKE SURE TO SIGN THE PETITION!!
It is the backbone of this movement. We need as many signatures as possible.
We NEED to be heard to get anywhere. Spread the word to your Facebook friends, your Twitter friends, your Google Talk friends, your Google+ friends, your favorite Android news site, local newspaper, lawyers... Spread the word! Bring freedom to the Android ecosystem, like Andy Rubin and Rich Miner intended.
Thank you SO much for your support. This community is amazing and I know our endeavors will come to fruition soon. See you on Moto's Facebook!
Already started! Been spamming facebook for two days...
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
what is the point of this? if it's about the bootloaders try spamming Verizon instead as Motorola has already announced that the bootloaders are locked at the discretion of carrier
con5tant said:
what is the point of this? if it's about the bootloaders try spamming Verizon instead as Motorola has already announced that the bootloaders are locked at the discretion of carrier
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If they don't push for it but rather propose the idea lightly, we're not going to get anywhere. HTC and Samsung (w/ the help of google) did it, so can Moto.
Plus, they promised the second half of 2011, and they haven't started in any market anywhere, internationally or state-side.
And hey, the voice of the people just got Verizon to rethink its $2 convenience fee.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda premium
The voice of the people is what got us that announcement in the first place. Go!
The bootloaders will be unlocked with ICS this has been comfirmed by a VZW employee but the release date for ICS is still up in the air
hoag50 said:
The bootloaders will be unlocked with ICS this has been comfirmed by a VZW employee but the release date for ICS is still up in the air
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Is this the same employee that told us the nexus would come out on december eighth?
Time for my daily motorola facebook spam.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
seanmcd72 said:
Is this the same employee that told us the nexus would come out on december eighth?
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Yeah seriously if it's not an executive it means nothing, and an executive would never just announce something like that casually.
con5tant said:
what is the point of this? if it's about the bootloaders try spamming Verizon instead as Motorola has already announced that the bootloaders are locked at the discretion of carrier
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Thats already been proven as a BS excuse from Moto. HTC unlocked their bootloaders on VZW's phones.
Just post this over and over on their facebook wall.
“In terms of your question – we completely understand the operator requirement for security to the end user, and as well, want to support the developer communities desire to use these products as a development platform. It is our intention to enable the unlockable/relockable bootloader currently found on Motorola XOOM across our portfolio of devices starting in late 2011, where carriers and operators will allow it.”
HTC was allowed by Verizon Wireless to unlock the HTC Thunderbolt, your excuses are invalid now Moto!
Start a petition at http://www.change.org like the one that just made Verizon change the $2 fee....
mattlgroff said:
Just post this over and over on their facebook wall.
“In terms of your question – we completely understand the operator requirement for security to the end user, and as well, want to support the developer communities desire to use these products as a development platform. It is our intention to enable the unlockable/relockable bootloader currently found on Motorola XOOM across our portfolio of devices starting in late 2011, where carriers and operators will allow it.”
HTC was allowed by Verizon Wireless to unlock the HTC Thunderbolt, your excuses are invalid now Moto!
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hmm....late 2011....seems like that has come and gone now.
I'm not entirely sure why people are touting your excuses are now invalid based on HTC unlocking their bootloaders. It's not like Motorola and HTC are going to have identical contracts with Verizon
HTC and Samsung were able to pull it off. I highly highly doubt their contract even brushes against the bootloaders at all, anyway.
What if moto is just hiding behind the carriers to never unlock them. Yes others have done it and to me it doesn't that hard to convince a carrier, unless of course you're not trying too hard. We can all move onto other devices but really what's the ratio of us hardcore users vs those that don't even know what a bootloader is. We can spam their social pages I guess but even there you're getting resistance from regular users who aren't in our hardcore world standing up for moto thinking they are the greatest thing since slice bread. But hey, if we don't try who's going to.
Asus felt the heat, now it's time we step our game up on Moto. Can someone repost this wherever possible (X, X2, Bionic, Xyboard, Atrix 2, Rootz, Droidforums, etc. Forums) and link back to this thread so we stay organized, and we'll launch a full out war against Moto for their lies. Go!
(Also feel free to click Submit this Thread as a News Tip at the top right thanks ok)
If anything, it should be easier for Moto to do this than for HTC or Samsung, since Moto devices carry Verizon's Android experience. Not that the HTC and Sammy phones are bad or worse, but phones like the Droid, Droid X, Droid 2, Droid Bionic, Droid RAZR, etc. are the flagship phones for Verizon. If anything, Verizon has more onus to be harsh with HTC and Samsung over Motorola (Bing as default comes to mind).
They already have the phone-side software there on the newer models, we're just waiting for them to flip the switch on "fastboot oem unlock" to allow. That's literally it. It's stupidly easy. Keep going!
I believe most people who start these threads, petitions, etc have good intentions but continue to travel down the same failed paths.
No matter how many times we rage against the machine or wave our cyber-fists in the air Big Corporations like Motorola are not going to unlock their bootloaders unless the federal government forces them to obey Block 4 laws.
Our wonerful Congressmen(women) aren't going to do a thing about making Moto unlock the bootloaders because they have no clue what a bootloader is or does. Hell, most of them need their grandchildren to set the clocks on their VCR's. And they have VCR's because they don't want to embrace that DVD fad.
A solution to force every cellphone equipment manufacturer and wireless carrier to unlock bootloaders.....
Gain public support and embarrass Congress into doing their job.
How you ask??
Here is a good start. The federal government mandates that all wireless carriers and wireless equipment manufacturers make smartphones accessible to the disabled.
Now ask yourselves, especially you Dev's, how a locked bootloader hampers programmers abilities to fully integrate accessibility software into a smartphone. How custom ROM's cannot be created for the hearing impaired, the low vision/legally blind, completely blind and also the physically handicapped. Sure there are pieces of software here and there that help to a certain extent but there is no integration and locked bootloaders not only hamper programmers but make it almost impossible for software to be created to give the disabled access. Even the ACLU might get interested if the Dev's of XDA can create a comprehensive and coherent statment supporting this stance. Mainstream media will pay attention to this topic because the handicapped = far better ratings than a relatively small group of programmers.
It's an election year folks, no politician wants to be labeled as ignoring the handicapped.
it's easier than all that. Tell Verizon to kiss your ass and move to another provider. Big Red is the reason for the locked BL.
MyEntityRemains said:
it's easier than all that. Tell Verizon to kiss your ass and move to another provider. Big Red is the reason for the locked BL.
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I switched to Verizon Wireless earlier this year because I needed the more reliable service in my area. And yes, that is an option for many but why go to a different carrier. Running to a different carrier does not solve the problem, it only avoids it until some other carrier does the same thing. Precedent needs to be set that consumers will not stand for carriers violating the law and doing whatever they please. Take up the fight and get bootloaders unlocked for all.
MyEntityRemains said:
it's easier than all that. Tell Verizon to kiss your ass and move to another provider. Big Red is the reason for the locked BL.
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It's good when you have that option. For some of us it is not an option. I have tried AT&T and Sprint over the years and their phones are paper weights in my house. I would have to go outside my house looking for a spot to make a phone call. I see people doing that in my neighborhood frequently.
Sent from my A1_07 using xda premium
Sent from my A1_07 using xda premium
MyEntityRemains said:
it's easier than all that. Tell Verizon to kiss your ass and move to another provider. Big Red is the reason for the locked BL.
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Oh so you mean that I who live in Europe with unbranded and unlocked Motorola phone should also suffer because the son of *****es carriers in USA wants to lock down their BL? Explain that for me.
PS. They can shove their dev edition up their arses
scottjb said:
It's good when you have that option. For some of us it is not an option. I have tried AT&T and Sprint over the years and their phones are paper weights in my house. I would have to go outside my house looking for a spot to make a phone call. I see people doing that in my neighborhood frequently.
Sent from my A1_07 using xda premium
Sent from my A1_07 using xda premium
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eyriiii said:
Oh so you mean that I who live in Europe with unbranded and unlocked Motorola phone should also suffer because the son of *****es carriers in USA wants to lock down their BL? Explain that for me.
PS. They can shove their dev edition up their arses
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There are many reasons people do not want to or cannot switch. There are also people in other countries with reasons to dislike the locked bootloaders. We don't need to argue the merits of unlocked bootloaders only join together in accomplishing the task. We must choose our battles wisely and pick a tactic that best suits the ultimate goal. Support from government officials, suppot from mainstream media and support from groups with large legal funds will give us a better chance of success. I am not a dev so I cannot compile the technical information and create a summary that can be easily understood by the average person. We need that person or persons.