Some of the latest Android phones try to lock you out just like the iPhone does. Aside from that, manufacturers are going after those who post customized versions of Android for download. Turns out that a good chunk Android as most people see it on their phones isn't open source.
If it’s based on Linux it will be hacked, rooted and customizable. It really doesn’t matter what the device managers “allow” (As long is it doesn’t brick)
See what people have done with the Linksys WRT54G and other Linux based routers. The chipsets support personalization/hackability which rules and should be supportaed