rooting - android not as open as I thought

[xorg]

I'm coming from Pre thinking Android was more open. Always thought like webOS, Android rooting wasn't a hack but just a development mode. Is it the carrier or phone maker locking it down or is it Google doing this? I'm surprised Google would allow locking it down to this degree, to the point phones require a hack.

In webOS, you just turn on a dev mode and you're in. Palm doesn't try to prevent it, in fact they made it easier a couple releases later. When it was announced that Evo was rooted, I just thought it meant it was just figured out before officially available, but it turns out Incredible hasn't been rooted yet, which I thought was officially allowed.

Please esplain... am rather disappointed rooting appears to be non-approved hacking. Seems Android isn't actually very open and is less open than even Windows. Please tell me I misunderstand.

 

[__Ryan__]

The operating system itself is licensed under the Apache 2, while the kernel is GPL. This along with Google's commitment to contribute back to the AOSP as well as the Linux community itself is the main reson for its openness.

Yes it is unfortunate that Android doesn't have an open bootloader as an option right out of the gate. This is most likely enforced by the manufacturer and carrier, and is the last hurdle before we truly have an open device.

 

[xorg]

Rather disappointing. Hope that changes in the future. The carriers don't seem to care since webOS is very easy to open with no sign of stopping it.

So is there a Terminal type app for Android? Do you have to be rooted to use it each time or just to install it?

 

[__Ryan__]

Check out the Terminal Emulator app. It supports a bash type interface and offers some of the more common Linux tools you are used to.

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

Android is wide open (both ways being discussed). When built from source the su binary is built and installed. Manufacturers and carriers have it removed, and the bootloaders/file systems locked.

Because they suck. And are afraid of a CS nightmare.

 

[xorg]

The carriers don't seem to care that webOS is very easy to root and they even made it easier. It's not even called rooting, it's just called 'accessing linux'. Is a very easy Konami code.

I suspect it's the hardware makers locking it down, not the carriers.

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

The carriers don't seem to care that webOS is very easy to root and they even made it easier. It's not even called rooting, it's just called 'accessing linux'. Is a very easy Konami code.

I suspect it's the hardware makers locking it down, not the carriers.

HTC phones manufactured for Sprint and T-Mobile seem to have standard file system mount parameters, and no extra patched security on the kernel.

HTC phones manufactured for AT&T and Verizon have patched kernels and/or kernel mtd read only file systems.

Compare G2/Hero/Eris, and Desire/Incredible/Evo.

Maybe coincidence, but I do not trust cell carriers in the US

 

[xorg]

Curious. I wonder why Verizon didn't require Palm to lockdown webOS. Linux has the same access as for Sprint.

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

That is the question of the hour. An open Palm Pre can cause the same CS nightmare and/or network abuse that an open Incredible can.

Maybe Palm fought harder for the homebrewers than HTC did. Or maybe I need a tin foil hat and it IS all coincidence

 

[xorg]

Would like to see Google attempt to allow a mode to give shell access within the phone and see what happens. They could have a discouraging message when turning on the mode, like you may have CS issues if deciding to use that mode.

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

Agreed. I know the N1 didn't sell near as many units as the Incredible did, but for the most part everyone accepted the fact that if you said yes and unlocked everything, you gave up your warranty and the boot splash was branded as unlocked.

 

[sicilian4life]

Hey there guys.Im sure you hear about this question a lot.But i have tried rooting my htc hero from sprint,about 4 times now.I have tried everything,downloaded everything,even tried different techniques listed online.When it comes to cell phones and programs and such i suck.Being honest.Im sure someone can explain to me in English.Make it simple on me.haha.Not sure what im doing wrong.Wish i could just pay someone to root for me.Hope you help me.Thanks in advance.

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

Hey there guys.Im sure you hear about this question a lot.But i have tried rooting my htc hero from sprint,about 4 times now.I have tried everything,downloaded everything,even tried different techniques listed online.When it comes to cell phones and programs and such i suck.Being honest.Im sure someone can explain to me in English.Make it simple on me.haha.Not sure what im doing wrong.Wish i could just pay someone to root for me.Hope you help me.Thanks in advance.

Have a read through this thread
http://forum.androidcentral.com/htc...-sprint-hero-condensed-easy-read-version.html

And any questions, holler out. We'll get you set up.

 

[TheMobileWorx]

Hey there guys.Im sure you hear about this question a lot.But i have tried rooting my htc hero from sprint,about 4 times now.I have tried everything,downloaded everything,even tried different techniques listed online.When it comes to cell phones and programs and such i suck.Being honest.Im sure someone can explain to me in English.Make it simple on me.haha.Not sure what im doing wrong.Wish i could just pay someone to root for me.Hope you help me.Thanks in advance.

Is your hero a 2.1 or 1.5 phone?