Develop Bugs

The point in rooting

Hi,
I am new to android. I came over from a htc hd2. Basicaly I was just wondering apart from being able to install apps2sd I can't really see much more to do with it. I know you can install custom ROMS, but I think the default that comes with the phone is just fine.
Could someone please tell me of any perks of rooting the desire.
Cheers
Ian

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=675202

so am I missing something. where on that page does it tell you the benefits or rooting?
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk

I don't mean to be rude, but if you are not aware what you can do with a rooted android device, maybe you should just google around a little bit and find out what root access actually means. I find it helps a lot when you actually understand something before considering it.

Wifi-tether (once working), OpenVPN tunnels, chroot'ed Linux installs, kernel with PAE to use more ram (need to check this), CPU overclocking, LED Torch and other nerdy things we all like

cheers jayshah. probably be most interested in the WiFi tether myself. seems like some good stuff there then! I have rooted already just for the apps2sd, but it looks like that could be coming officially soon any way.
cheers
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk

abats. no problem. I'll have a dig around see what I can find. was just after a few good points.
cheers
Ian
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk

My best advice is don't do anything if you don't need to. Don't root just because you can. Think to yourself "am I happy with everything my phone can do NOW?" if yes, then leave it and enjoy your phone. If the answer is, no, I need it to do X, Y and Z, then you need to research. Can X, Y or Z be achieved with a third party app? If yes, then again, leave it and get the app. If no, then see if it IS possible, if you have Root access. Then and only then should you consider it.
I've personally not found anything compelling enough to Root yet, so I haven't.

Aitese said:
My best advice is don't do anything if you don't need to. Don't root just because you can. Think to yourself "am I happy with everything my phone can do NOW?" if yes, then leave it and enjoy your phone. If the answer is, no, I need it to do X, Y and Z, then you need to research. Can X, Y or Z be achieved with a third party app? If yes, then again, leave it and get the app. If no, then see if it IS possible, if you have Root access. Then and only then should you consider it.
I've personally not found anything compelling enough to Root yet, so I haven't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
So far I'm happy enough with the system 'as is'

iang123 said:
cheers jayshah. probably be most interested in the WiFi tether myself. seems like some good stuff there then! I have rooted already just for the apps2sd, but it looks like that could be coming officially soon any way.
cheers
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I heard that too but the Wifi tether is actually the main thing I need. That'll never become standard (given it's basically forbidden on at least T-Mo UK) so you'll always have to root.
I fully agree with what Aitese said. I really don't see the point in rooting, and taking the risk, if you won't use it. I've rebooted my device around 5 times in the last hour, making sure recovery works and installing Busybox as I'm not putting A2SD on it yet. Rooting isn't just something you should do because others have, it isn't for the faint hearted.

I think in the past devices have had to be rooted as early ROMS were crap on some early HTC devices. Its almost like when a new device comes out people now automatically race to get it rooted without really knowing why! For this device though, I dont see the point. Works well as is!

MarketEnabler? for people outside "authorized" zones, giving them the ability to get paid Apps.... wich is a huge downside atm

firedup said:
I think in the past devices have had to be rooted as early ROMS were crap on some early HTC devices. Its almost like when a new device comes out people now automatically race to get it rooted without really knowing why! For this device though, I dont see the point. Works well as is!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I think this device is spot on as is, just with the exception of only being able to install apps into main memory. The HD2 I felt needed custom ROMS found my self flashing a bit on that and had a much better ROM on then stock.
I can't beleive the difference between the 2 os's though it's a nice change from windows mobile, which was just horrible to be honest in my experience.
Cheers
Ian

Wifi-tether (once working), OpenVPN tunnels, chroot'ed Linux installs, kernel with PAE to use more ram (need to check this), CPU overclocking, LED Torch and other nerdy things we all like
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BTW - LED tourch doesn't require root on the Desire
Wifi tether is actually the main thing I need....
(given it's basically forbidden on at least T-Mo UK)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not so. Tmo UK are fine with it. HD2 supports it out of the box!

farnsbarns said:
Not so. Tmo UK are fine with it. HD2 supports it out of the box!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used my Desire on T-mo most of last week in the evening while working away. ~700MB went through it according to my T-mo account page, all listed as costing £0.00 No special software (i.e. PDAnet) just HTC sync installed, and to be honest don't know if that's even needed.

fredfox_uk said:
I used my Desire on T-mo most of last week in the evening while working away. ~700MB went through it according to my T-mo account page, all listed as costing £0.00 No special software (i.e. PDAnet) just HTC sync installed, and to be honest don't know if that's even needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My point was that Tmo don't have an issue with WiFi tethering in general. They certainly can't detect / stop you doing it.

There's probably not enough reason to root until Froyo comes out.

farnsbarns said:
My point was that Tmo don't have an issue with WiFi tethering in general. They certainly can't detect / stop you doing it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes - sorry, I didn't make it clear - I'm agreeing with you Although I wasn't using WiFi, just the cable, I didn't know you could tether with WiFi.

fredfox_uk said:
Yes - sorry, I didn't make it clear - I'm agreeing with you Although I wasn't using WiFi, just the cable, I didn't know you could tether with WiFi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No no! I realized you were aggreeing with me! It was me that wasn't clear. I had realized you probably meant you had tethered using a cable and was just saying that Tmobile don't have a specific issue with WiFi Tethering as demonstrated by the fact that the HD2 supports it out of the box.

For me i need to be able to root in order to install language packs as i am stuck to europe, i can see chars etc but i do not get the keyboard. I rather use a default android keyboard than 3rd party

Home Network Capabilities

So I just moved to a new apartment and haven't hooked up internet access yet. How realistic would it be for me to avoid getting the usual cable internet setup that people in my area normally get and just use an Evo as the network router for all my devices. My home network includes a few laptops, a desktop, a networked hard drive, and a few old cellphones that I use to connect via wifi to play music and browse internet. Does anyone have real world experience to share about how these types of setups have been working with the Evo's hotspot feature. And is it even possible for me to incorporate my networked hard drive into this kind of network as it is not wifi - only ethernet? How could I get it included? Sorry for such a noob question. I would love to stop giving my money to Time Warner and just have one phone/internet bill to pay.
Thanks,
cmus

Well that depends so much on the coverage of your area. If you don't get 4g coverage in your apartment you would be using 3g for all of your devices and that isn't going to cut it for most people. I mean it is fine for surfing the web but not for something like streaming or gaming. Plus your 3g signal could be week and you wouldn't get very good speeds period. You can check coverage maps but even then you won't know exactly until you test it out yourself....

Definitely doable if you're not a gamer and assuming your signal is strong. Its the latency that kills it for you if you are a gamer.

One of the bigger Qs I wonder about is how hot will the device get when trying to supply other devices with 3g/4g.
I know my current WiMo will over heat when doing wmTorrents and I have to take the back cover off and sit it in front of my fan on my desk at work.

currently im using Touch Pro, and when i do wifi teathering the phone gets so hot that it shuts off charging after about 60mins, and then runs on battery power for another 20 mins or so... hopefully evo will handle the wifi-teather load better that this.

frifox said:
currently im using Touch Pro, and when i do wifi teathering the phone gets so hot that it shuts off charging after about 60mins, and then runs on battery power for another 20 mins or so... hopefully evo will handle the wifi-teather load better that this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha I use to turn my touch pro face down and put a glass with ice water on top.
The cool condensation would keep it from overheating and thus ruining my fun.
Ah , the good ol' days. Can anyone tell me why the touch pro could do wifi tethering and not the Evo? Is it android fault or the fault of the phone????

hmm, so this does not sound good. Between possible overheating issues and latency this is not something that most people seem to be excited about doing?
How about the network itself. Does using the Evo as a hotspot allow my laptops to talk to each other via a LAN or does the Evo only share the internet connection with all the connected devices? For example, if I have a hard drive full of music on one computer, can I share that folder and stream it on a second computer if both computers are connected to the Evo?

howdyace said:
Haha I use to turn my touch pro face down and put a glass with ice water on top.
The cool condensation would keep it from overheating and thus ruining my fun.
Ah , the good ol' days. Can anyone tell me why the touch pro could do wifi tethering and not the Evo? Is it android fault or the fault of the phone????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the evo can do wifi tethering, it's just $30 a month until we get it rooted.

But can he use the phone too?
cmus said:
So I just moved to a new apartment and haven't hooked up internet access yet. How realistic would it be for me to avoid getting the usual cable internet setup that people in my area normally get and just use an Evo as the network router for all my devices. My home network includes a few laptops, a desktop, a networked hard drive, and a few old cellphones that I use to connect via wifi to play music and browse internet. Does anyone have real world experience to share about how these types of setups have been working with the Evo's hotspot feature. And is it even possible for me to incorporate my networked hard drive into this kind of network as it is not wifi - only ethernet? How could I get it included? Sorry for such a noob question. I would love to stop giving my money to Time Warner and just have one phone/internet bill to pay.
Thanks,
cmus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm considering the evo for this very purpose as well, but i am unclear as to whether I would be able to use the phone to make calls at the same time as i am using it as a hotspot. There seems to be a lot of varying opinions on this, does anyone know the real deal?
thanks!

With the over heating issues, again, that why I just pull the battery cover off and sit it on my desk in front of a small 4-5" fan and keep it cool. I have run it for hours that way before as I use wmTorrent.

SMUcane said:
I'm considering the evo for this very purpose as well, but i am unclear as to whether I would be able to use the phone to make calls at the same time as i am using it as a hotspot. There seems to be a lot of varying opinions on this, does anyone know the real deal?
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as long as you're on a 4G connection it'll work simultaneously. There's a completely separate antenna(e) for 4g, while 3g is on the same antenna as voice calls causing it to drop to 2.5g

KERKEDAGAIN said:
as long as you're on a 4G connection it'll work simultaneously. There's a completely separate antenna(e) for 4g, while 3g is on the same antenna as voice calls causing it to drop to 2.5g
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that was/is my fear.
if i understand your note correctly; if i am on 3g, i will not be able to use voice and data at the same time, thus rendering the hotspot ability much less useful. I was hoping to use this in my car while driving and get rid of my 3g card that i currently use

Is the wifi radio in this phone wireless-N?

david279 said:
Is the wifi radio in this phone wireless-N?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it is not. At least without root it isn't.
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/HTC-Evo-4G-Teardown/2979/1
Go to step 13 to see what I'm talking about. The chip supposedly is capable of n. Just not right now. Hopefully someone can "unlock" it.

USB reverse tether - how?

I live in the UK. In a couple of months I am going to be travelling in Australia, staying at various hostels. During the course of my travels I am going to have to access various online banking and credit card sites.
I'm assuming data charges are going to be high, even if I get a local simcard.
My choices are:
1. Use a computer at a hostel or internet cafe which I have no control over the security of, and could well have been compromised
2. Bring along a laptop to connect to the hostel internet connection (which I'm considering)
3. Work out how to reverse tether my phone to a computer in the hostel - providing me the security I want, without the added hassle of lugging a laptop and concern of losing/damaging/having it nicked.
I have no idea if there will be wifi, so I want to plan for the worst, and that is that I can only connect hard-wired to a computer.
I've searched for "USB reverse tether" and not turned up a solution, although plenty of people have asked the same question.
Is it possible, and if so, how?
Thanks.

The problem is, setting aside whatever you'd need to do on your phone, you'd also need to setup a driver on the computer to provide the tethering. That's probably not going to be an option.
Wifi is really going to be a lot more common than places with physical computers for you to use anyway. But if you're really worried about only having a physical connection, just bring along a wireless router. You can unplug the ethernet from the computer you're using, plug in your wifi router, and connect to it.

I'm pretty sure Sense has the features you're looking for.
-Nipqer

That's an idea I never thought of! A router is definitely a lot lighter and smaller than a laptop, even the little 12" one I have my eye on on eBay (damn, now I don't have an excuse to buy a new toy )
I guess ADB would be involved in trying to connect my phone to a computer, and you're right, it's doubtful I'd have any admin privileges on a hostel computer....
I also toyed with the thought of just bringing a portable Linux distro on a USB drive or CD to remove any Windows-borne threats. But I don't really know enough about that. I've tried Ubuntu on my laptop before, but gave up when I couldn't get the wireless adaptor to work. I never tried plugging it directly into the router though...
Hmmm, decisions decisions....!!!!

Nipqer said:
I'm pretty sure Sense has the features you're looking for.
-Nipqer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
O rly? Do tell!
I don't know if I could saddle myself with Sense permanently, but that's what Nandroid is for

You could use a sense based rom (I'm using Virtuous Sense at the moment)
It has a USB Tethering option (Share phone's mobile network with PC)
You would probably need to install at least HTC Sync software on the computer you're going to use, to get the drivers. I had an installer come on my sdcard with the phone, so you might have it too.
-Nipqer

Nipqer said:
You could use a sense based rom (I'm using Virtuous Sense at the moment)
It has a USB Tethering option (Share phone's mobile network with PC)
You would probably need to install at least HTC Sync software on the computer you're going to use, to get the drivers. I had an installer come on my sdcard with the phone, so you might have it too.
-Nipqer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, no, this is the opposite of what I want to do. I need to share the computer's network with the phone.

Yes that is also an option in Sense, called Internet Pass-Through.
You'd still need the drivers for it though I think.
-Nipqer

Nipqer said:
Yes that is also an option in Sense, called Internet Pass-Through.
You'd still need the drivers for it though I think.
-Nipqer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you learn something new every day - I never knew that existed!
TBH I pretty much got rid of Sense in favour of a CM rom as soon as I got the phone, same with my old Desire.
You're right though, looking at HTC's help pages indicates installing HTC Sync on the host computer. So I think what I wanted to do is pretty much a no-go in my situation.
I think maybe the "bring my own router" is looking like the best option.
Thanks for your replies, guys - much appreciated

You can probably get a local SIM for pretty cheap. Check out the data rates. If you only need it for some critical stuff here and there you'll be able to get a low amount of data on the SIM (or a Data-only SIM). If not, I'm sure you'll be able to duck into some coffee shops with free WiFi and hook up that way.
If you really need to get some things done I'd simply bring a laptop and hook up to the net in one of the hostels or some other place with WiFi. I think you're going through too much trouble here.

martonikaj said:
You can probably get a local SIM for pretty cheap. Check out the data rates. If you only need it for some critical stuff here and there you'll be able to get a low amount of data on the SIM (or a Data-only SIM). If not, I'm sure you'll be able to duck into some coffee shops with free WiFi and hook up that way.
If you really need to get some things done I'd simply bring a laptop and hook up to the net in one of the hostels or some other place with WiFi. I think you're going through too much trouble here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're probably right, but I'm just a worrier! I like having a back-up plan for when sh*t hits the fan. Maybe I should just take a chill pill and see what happens
The only reason I'm hesitant about relying on data via a SIM is that I know I'll be tempted to keep checking my email and Facebook/myYearbook all the time - and using up all my data and caning the battery. I'm hoping I can somehow abstain from all that and just use the damn thing as a PHONE (except when absolutely necessary!) :-D

Desire Server ideas?

Is there any software that springs to mind if i were to say i'm looking to use a defunct Desire as a home server?
I was using my Desire as a daily handset for a good eighteen months, which has since been replaced by an HD7 (i got fed up of dodgy dual touch and laggy scrolling, and didn't pay anything for the enormous WP7 device). Because i'm using the HD7 full time, and i love it to bits, my little Desire has been sat in a cupboard nothing doing.
I have a first gen iPod Touch, and i used that as a SOCKS server, as well as an SFTP file server and an IRC idler, but there's only so much you can do with a dead iOS 3.x platform running on ancient hardware. I'm looking to do a similar kind of thing with my HTC Desire.
Basically, the kinds of things i'm hoping to use it for include:
File Server
IRC Idler (Hoping to use IRSSI, does Android have a port?)
SOCKS Proxy Server (To overcome network filters)
Webserver
I know such software exists on android, i'm just struggling to find decent examples so i thought i'd ask the hive mind that is called XDA-Devs. Also, if anybody's got any scripts or solutions they use for a similar kind of thing that they feel like sharing that'd be badass.
I did try getting Ubuntu going locally on my Desire, but the information available's kind of aging and i've been having a bit of trouble getting it to play nicely with CM7, and other roms.
About the Desire in question:
It's been bricked, flashed, rooted, and returned to stock more times than i care to remember, and i'm pretty comfortable with putting all sorts of things on it.
It'll be connected to a WiFi access point at home 24/7.
It won't have a SIM card in it.
It's got an 8GB MicroSD inside.
I've S-OFF'd it (big thanks to Unrevoked <3) and i'm currently using the CM7 partition, but if there's anything more suitable i can change it easily enough. It's an SLCD if that makes any difference, and it'll most likely be constantly connected to a plug because the battery is pretty much borked anyway.
So yeah, basically what i'm asking is what software would you recommend for this kind of job? Are there any cool things i'm missing out on?

Any Updates on Unlock for 4.4.2

Are there any updates on an unlock method for 3.11.605.1? I'm having a pretty serious problem with streaming Internet Radio apps cutting out with the screen off after about 5 minutes. The app Data Connection Fix has helped out a lot, but I wanted to try out other ROMs to see if I can find 1 without this issue. It's such a shame that I'm having this issue because the HTC One seems like such a great phone. Unfortunately, streaming Internet Radio at work is the main thing that I use my phone for and my older Droid X2 on 3g outperforms this phone in that aspect. It's so sad a newer 4g device has this issue and makes me wonder if I should ever mess with another HTC device or Android device period. I wanted to get away from iOS, but I'm finding that almost every Android device I've been using needs to be unlocked/rooted to fix really simple features that should work right out of the box and with every update. The Bluetooth A2DP quality problem with most JellyBean devices has been a nightmare. That's what made me ditch my LG G2. I tried just about every custom ROM and music through bluetooth was horrible no matter what I tried, even on the newer KitKat ROMs.

pda48428 said:
Are there any updates on an unlock method for 3.11.605.1? I'm having a pretty serious problem with streaming Internet Radio apps cutting out with the screen off after about 5 minutes. The app Data Connection Fix has helped out a lot, but I wanted to try out other ROMs to see if I can find 1 without this issue. It's such a shame that I'm having this issue because the HTC One seems like such a great phone. Unfortunately, streaming Internet Radio at work is the main thing that I use my phone for and my older Droid X2 on 3g outperforms this phone in that aspect. It's so sad a newer 4g device has this issue and makes me wonder if I should ever mess with another HTC device or Android device period. I wanted to get away from iOS, but I'm finding that almost every Android device I've been using needs to be unlocked/rooted to fix really simple features that should work right out of the box and with every update. The Bluetooth A2DP quality problem with most JellyBean devices has been a nightmare. That's what made me ditch my LG G2. I tried just about every custom ROM and music through bluetooth was horrible no matter what I tried, even on the newer KitKat ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure there's just a setting you're missing that keeps the radio from cutting out. I used to stream Sirius XM and had the problem but I remember getting it fixed somehow. If I think of it I'll let you know. And no, you can't gain s-off on 4.4.2. If you read at all on here, you'll know when you can.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk

brholt6 said:
I'm pretty sure there's just a setting you're missing that keeps the radio from cutting out. I used to stream Sirius XM and had the problem but I remember getting it fixed somehow. If I think of it I'll let you know. And no, you can't gain s-off on 4.4.2. If you read at all on here, you'll know when you can.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you please tell me what setting? I get great service where I work and haven't had a problem with any other phone. I even went to Verizon and got a new SIM card. I've tried everything, starting with factory resets and clearing the cache. I have sleep mode off, app data sync on, mobile data is not restricted or limited, I've tried with and without beats audio enabled. The audio cuts out about every 5 minutes for 5-10 seconds and comes back on, just to cut out again for 5-10 seconds every 5 or so minutes. It's very annoying. The only thing that really helps is the data connection fix app, but that's not 100% reliable. I even called HTC and Verizon about the issue and they are looking into it. I would have normally just tried a different ROM, but I'm unable to unlock/s-off/root my phone because I'm on 4.4.2(3.11.605.1). That's the only reason I even called them. I currently have my phone up for sale and I'm seriously thinking about switching my service to sprint. I'm tired of paying top dollar for used phones to keep my unlimited data on Verizon. For all I know, there could be a problem with the phone, but it seems like a software issue to me. Everything else works and runs great. It's just that streaming Internet Radio is the thing I use most.

Have you tried this?
http://androidforums.com/htc-one/732481-beats-audio-setting-interrupts-streaming-audio.html

https://twitter.com/TeamAndIRC/status/443850349678321664
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk

BhRaElEfD said:
Have you tried this?
Yes I've tried. It has nothing to do with beats audio. For some reason it just drops the data connection for like 5-10 seconds with the screen off every 5 minutes or so. I don't know if it's incompatible apps with 4.4.2 or 4.4.2 itself. It could also have something to do with the HTC sense software. It could just be the way this phone communicates with the Verizon towers. I have no idea and it's very frustrating. The last time I had a problem similar to this was when I had an LG Optimus V on Virgin Mobile and it would lose 3g and I would have to turn off the data connection and turn it back on. This is different, though, because I have 4G LTE all the time. There just seems to be a delay in receiving my data to where the Internet Radio cuts out before it signals for more data. Then by the time I receive more data, it's too late and the sound has already cut out. I did a speed test and I'm getting about 30mbps download and around 15mbps upload so I know I'm not being throttled. The only thing that helps is the data connection fix app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I did some more testing and I don't have any issues on WiFi and I don't have any issues if the screen stays on. It's only on cellular data with the screen off when I'm having issues. I noticed the Power Saving feature was removed in 4.4.2 and instead there's a sleep mode option. I have the sleep mode option off, but I'm thinking my issue might be because of a power saving bug in the HTC software for 4.4.2. If anybody knows anything about this, please post. Thanks

Think it will ever be unlocked?
I would SO much love to have airplay enabled on my HTC One. I came from iPhone, and have a full home surround sound based on Airplay, which I now can't use. Airplay is available only through a root application, although i have my phone on 4.4.2. Any thoughts on if and when this will ever be unlocked? Otherwise it's a huge reason for me to not have this phone...

BBooch said:
I would SO much love to have airplay enabled on my HTC One. I came from iPhone, and have a full home surround sound based on Airplay, which I now can't use. Airplay is available only through a root application, although i have my phone on 4.4.2. Any thoughts on if and when this will ever be unlocked? Otherwise it's a huge reason for me to not have this phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it took beaups and crew about 1 month + to get 4.3 unlocked. Plus it seems more devs are having issues with 4.4.2 so it could be longer. At this point hope for the best and expect the worse.

I seriously don't know why all of these companies continue to try and lock out everyone's phones (and spend unnecessary money doing so) when someone will just outwit them almost every time. If a dev REALLY wanted this done right away it would be done! Point blank... It's a cat n mouse game and Verizon will lose. I just purchased an HTC One on 4.4.2 and have full faith that it will be cracked wide open anytime now. No one can stop somebody that is determined and smarter than the person who created the bottleneck. Here's hoping to a quick S-off method soon :victory:

shojus said:
I seriously don't know why all of these companies continue to try and lock out everyone's phones (and spend unnecessary money doing so) when someone will just outwit them almost every time. If a dev REALLY wanted this done right away it would be done! Point blank... It's a cat n mouse game and Verizon will lose. I just purchased an HTC One on 4.4.2 and have full faith that it will be cracked wide open anytime now. No one can stop somebody that is determined and smarter than the person who created the bottleneck. Here's hoping to a quick S-off method soon :victory:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not unnecessary money to them honestly. In Samsung's case they are trying to prove that their devices are secure enough to use for government agencies. Do you think they care that a few rogue hackers find exploits from time to time? No, they just need to convince some corporate goon that his e-mails to his mistress won't get intercepted. Speaking of the S4, it's been locked down now for about 8 months so I'd say they're getting pretty damn good at it. They have root I believe, but the bootloader is locked down tight on every S4 other than the very first firmware that came with the phone. I'm not sure what HTC's motivations are but I'm guessing they need to play ball with companies like Verizon in order to be able to sell their devices in the future.
Another thing that is hurting us is that Android itself is getting more secure. They are adding features that prevent exploits so it makes it harder for your average dev to find a way in. In the future we may be forced to buy developer editions to be able to do anything. That's worse case, but you never know.
Just like you I had "faith" that a developer would crack the S4 and I could finally have freedom. It never happened. It still hasn't happened. That's the main reason I switched to HTC. I'm not saying you should give up hope, but if you can't stand a phone to be locked down you should be looking into buying a different phone just in case...

Crawshayi said:
It's not unnecessary money to them honestly. In Samsung's case they are trying to prove that their devices are secure enough to use for government agencies. Do you think they care that a few rogue hackers find exploits from time to time? No, they just need to convince some corporate goon that his e-mails to his mistress won't get intercepted. Speaking of the S4, it's been locked down now for about 8 months so I'd say they're getting pretty damn good at it. They have root I believe, but the bootloader is locked down tight on every S4 other than the very first firmware that came with the phone. I'm not sure what HTC's motivations are but I'm guessing they need to play ball with companies like Verizon in order to be able to sell their devices in the future.
Another thing that is hurting us is that Android itself is getting more secure. They are adding features that prevent exploits so it makes it harder for your average dev to find a way in. In the future we may be forced to buy developer editions to be able to do anything. That's worse case, but you never know.
Just like you I had "faith" that a developer would crack the S4 and I could finally have freedom. It never happened. It still hasn't happened. That's the main reason I switched to HTC. I'm not saying you should give up hope, but if you can't stand a phone to be locked down you should be looking into buying a different phone just in case...
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Valid points! That's why I said "almost every time"... I really just need root and I would be happy but I switch devices so much that I probably won't even have the One (my 3rd HTC One) by the time it gets exploited (if) it does. And I do understand that Google has to close a lot of security holes so that they don't look like they are such a terrible company by allowing all of these terrible "viruses" into our phones which I have never had any issues with. I do agree with you though that we will probably all be buying dev phones sooner than later. Thanks for the insight!

Just another reason to leave Verizon and go get a Nexus device.