T-Mobile *trick* to lock root?

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Just curious, but let's say that we go to the market and find a cool new program.

Turns out, while it installs something such as a new IM client, it locks the phone up.

Is it possible? Can they change firmware from a software title? Just a random paranoid thought

Not quite sure by what you mean "locks the phone up" but if you mean make changes to the settings because you have root and left it open, yes. This has been addressed and if you have root, you should have already secured it. If not, you have 2 choices, a: realise you might not be a user in need of root, or b: go read how to secure root (with a password).

I have been an advocate of root on the G1 from the start, even while everyone was saying "users do not need root". I am recently starting to notice a lot of issues with users having root and blindly running apps they do not know about, or bricking their phones because they are running complex system commands without knowing what it is doing. Keep in mind, root = god as far as the phone is concerned. You can and probably will kill your phone if you are not careful. I would advise you obtain root, secure it and do not touch it unless you know what you are doing. This will give you the ability to use things in the future that require root while still keeping you somewhat safe.

Also, this is not directed only at the author of this post, but anyone who has posted in the last few days who is making changes they do not fully understand, running programs that require root without knowing what access they are giving it, or anyone who follows my advice and upgraded to root "just incase" but doesnt know what to do with it.

I do not want to see a massive rush of users returning "rooted" G1's to tmobile and getting refunds/exchanges and have tmobile suddenly think this is an epidemic and start really working hard to secure the phone. That would not be good for anyone, but that is where were are headed.

Technically, yes...
Just like nuuneoi's Orientation program runs as superuser without letting you know...

I don't see them being that sneaky, though... It probably would provide ground for a class-action suit if it comes from T-Mo.

how can we sue? i didn't read the fine print, but i would imagine flashing a modded version of android would break their TOS

Originally Posted by d0nkey

how can we sue? i didn't read the fine print, but i would imagine flashing a modded version of android would break their TOS

I'm just speculating... It just seems sneaky and evil...
I assume the TOS relates to the actual "service" (haven't read it, either). They can ban me from T-Mobile, but they better not maliciously install their poop-infested code in phone.

P.S. People are gang-bang suing for the early cancellation fees, even though they all signed the contract.

Originally Posted by npace

I'm just speculating... It just seems sneaky and evil...
I assume the TOS relates to the actual "service" (haven't read it, either). They can ban me from T-Mobile, but they better not maliciously install their poop-infested code in phone.

P.S. People are gang-bang suing for the early cancellation fees, even though they all signed the contract.

Um...the fact is, Google is allowed to kill any software they think is "bad". This has been public a year before the phone's release.

Now, I have downloaded the patch and installed it (to have a pop-up asking if it's ok to run root)

However, many of us are new to nix commands as I am myself. How do you assign a password to root?

Originally Posted by momentarylapseofreason

Um...the fact is, Google is allowed to kill any software they think is "bad". This has been public a year before the phone's release.

Now, I have downloaded the patch and installed it (to have a pop-up asking if it's ok to run root)

However, many of us are new to nix commands as I am myself. How do you assign a password to root?

su
passwd

God mode for my phone? Yes please.

Stop with the fear tactics regarding the dangers of root access. People actually going through the trouble of figuring out how to do are aware of the risks. It will never be an issue of phones returned, because an unlocked phone return is an immediate dealbreaker, warranty void, and most people understand that.

But the desire for freedom. Maybe I have to move to another country but this lock down bullsh*t on U.S. phones in particular is a real nuisance.

They track us with the gps, FBI can listen in thru the mic even when the phone is off, they have the remote kill switch.... at least let me install the apps i want with root access for the love of Chr*st.

Give us the freedom we seek from a Linux OS.

F*cking FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by strangethingz

God mode for my phone? Yes please.

Stop with the fear tactics regarding the dangers of root access. People actually going through the trouble of figuring out how to do are aware of the risks. It will never be an issue of phones returned, because an unlocked phone return is an immediate dealbreaker, warranty void, and most people understand that.

But the desire for freedom. Maybe I have to move to another country but this lock down bullsh*t on U.S. phones in particular is a real nuisance.

They track us with the gps, FBI can listen in thru the mic even when the phone is off, they have the remote kill switch.... at least let me install the apps i want with root access for the love of Chr*st.

Give us the freedom we seek from a Linux OS.

F*cking FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The warranty wouldn't be void so long as you flash back to RC29 or 30 without the mods (both avail online)... just FYI

Nice to know consumers and civilians still have a trick or two left up their sleeve in this over-controlled greed filled market.