Posted on 10/07/2010 8:35:43 AM PDT by ShadowAce
Yesterday, some T-Mobile stores began selling its newest mobile device, the G2, an Android-based smart phone originally slated for an October 6 release while AT&T is slated to release it later in the year. This device truly is representative of the next generation of mobile devices. The hardware capabilities surpass the abilities of most available netbook computers, including the ability to play High Definition video seamlessly. Unfortunately, the G2 also comes with built-in hardware that restricts what software a device owner might wish to install.
Specifically, one of the microchips embedded into the G2 prevents device owners from making permanent changes that allow custom modifications to the the Android operating system. This is the same Android that purposefully opened up its source code under the Apache License, allowing anyone to use, modify, and redistribute the operating system code even if they choose not to contribute back to the development community. Even among other Android computing devices and phones, the G2 is touted as an open platform. Unfortunately, the hardware in this device completely undermines this license by allowing mobile network providers to override end-user changes to the source code. Wireless network operators have deployed a hardware rootkit that restricts modifications to a device owned by the user. This would be akin to a computer sold with Microsoft Windows containing chip that prevented users from installing Linux or another operating system of their choice.
Of course, the G2 is not really a phone. It is a mobile computer with an interface that connects to a mobile network. The majority of time many people spend using their G2 mobile computer is taking notes in meetings, reading and responding to email, editing documents, browsing web pages, getting news from their RSS feed readers, listening to audio files, watching YouTube videos, and interacting with online social networks. Occasionally, we may take a photo or maybe even a video, and sometimes users may respond to text messages or make a phone call. These are the same activities most people do with their home and office desktop and laptop computers.
Plugging a USB wireless modem into a laptop for T-Mobile’s broadband services does not mean that T-Mobile can say that Ubuntu Linux is not an approved operating system, or that Skype is not an allowed voice service. Yet when unsuspecting members of the public buy Google’s Android G2 at a T-Mobile store, they aren’t getting a customizable mobile computer or phone but are instead getting a device where the hardware itself dramatically limits users' right to make changes to their computers and install the operating system of their choice.
Clearly, this is a major new initiative to control users rights to run their computers as they see fit. Instead, the new Google Android hardware rootkit acts just like a virus -- overriding user’s preferences to change settings and software to conform to the desires of a third party. And just like a virus, this kind of behavior should be just as illegal. Users of the new Google Android G2 should be warned that their device has a rootkit that will overwrite their software modifications. We are seeking further clarification as to the legality of this malicious software.
Yet another reason to hate T-Mobile...
Isn’t this one of the things Apple/AT&T consistently get bashed for?
ALERT, ALERT.
While I may not agree with the microchip protection, I can certainly understand why they would do it. There is nothing inherent in the phone's software to prevent virus-like attacks on it if the operating system is compromised. Further, some software, with minor operating system tweaks, can actually remotely dial another phone and allow that user to listen in on your conversation. There's some bad juju that can come from letting people mess around with the OS software, and I'm sure the vendor is simply practicing CYA.
How long before a site pops up that explains how to remove that chip?
owned by Deutche Telecom...
I was waiting for this. First hardware locks, now actively erasing modifications. Anyone who thought the carriers and manufacturers would want to keep the Android system free and open in practice (as opposed to theory) was in dreamland. They’re used to closed, tightly-controlled systems. They love such systems. Even the iPhone model was too open for them at first, which is why Verizon rejected it.
Agreed. It’ll be interesting to watch this to see where it goes.
I can’t tell you how many times my Droid has been useful....using the built-in GPS, looking at a map, looking something I needed right then on the internet etc.
This is my first smartphone, and I could never see going back to just a phone.
But I am looking at one of these to fill in the utility my phone doesn't have.
” How long before a site pops up that explains how to remove that chip? “
www.removethatfnchip.com ;-)
That is probably a real site but it might be about removing chips and stuff from somewhere else...
I’m watching these too, but the release date sure seems to be a moving target. That and whether or not it will run Android 2.2
My least favorite feature is making and receiving calls. I generally don’t answer unless it is my wife or kids.
But I would have a hard time getting by without the software on my phone. I use some professional software on a daily basis that I used to carry a PDA for. I listen to audio books to and from work. I haven’t needed a paper map in the last year. Haven’t needed the yellow pages either. I can check free republic from just about any where. I don’t even know where the GPS is anymore.
I just wanted to get rid of the seperate MP3 player, PDA and GPS but found it even more useful than that.
“..prevents device owners from making permanent changes that allow custom modifications to the the Android operating system.”
They act like that’s a bad thing.
On the other hand, if they didn’t dot hat, they’d be crying about how insecure it was.
My grandma hated cars. She preferred horses.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.