[Q] Unlocked Bootloader: How does it benefit us?

[maledyris]

I'm new to Android (I'll have my Atrix tomorrow), and hearing all this concern about the locked bootloader has me questioning what an unlocked bootloader would actually get us. On a PC or Mac, a bootloader would let you install multiple OS's to your system and load any of them at will. It's useful, but I wouldn't be upset if I couldn't do it. I think I must be missing something. On Android how does this differ? I noticed there's already at least one custom ROM (GingerBlur) available and working on the Atrix, which means we can already run custom ROMs... What else is there? If the bootloader were unlocked, what more would that actually get us?

 

[DarkRyoushii]

that rom, from my understanding (fairly new to android and waiting for my atrix too) is only a pseudoROM that doesnt actually change the OS only edits the framework of the current one. a locked bootloader means we cannot run custom/vanilla versions of android and so we are stuck waiting for AT&T or Bell or motorola to decide when we can update to the latest version of android.

without a locked bootloader we are stuck being a pawn in 3 big companies' game of chess.

 

[Ciloteille]

Kernels my friend. Allow us to toggle art" 4g" manually. And others like enable hardware to use features like 1080p record. And able to get (which is currently limited to 2 points of recognition touch) ore like 5 or 10 ( to use the hardware fully)

 

[FLAC Vest]

Kernels, which are the meat of any good rom. It allows us to make ROMS that allow for overcpocking, wiping the slatefor a fresh, lean build, and many other things.

Sent from my Nexus One using XDA Premium App

 

[raybond25]

like has been said, basically you are correct, in that it lets us load custom OS's and ROMs

as someone above me said the ROM released now is only a pseudoROM, and only edits existing framework. an unlocked bootloader would allow us to load fresh version of Android without any bloat and allow us to overclock the already impressive processor in the Atrix.

Basically - unlocked bootloader = unlocked near infinite potential for the Atrix.

 

[anomaly460]

When you think of the possibility of an unlocked bootloader combined with the Atrix hardware it's easy to forget what you already have in hand. I don't think that there is any phone out (custom rom or not) that is ALL AROUND better than the Atrix is right out the box. The bootloader will get cracked but until then enjoy your 3k quadrant scores, great GPS, screen, and webtop.