Last month HTC announced that it would no longer lock the bootloaders on its Android phones in the future, much to the delight of Android tinkerers everywhere. Months after Motorola declared that the XOOM's bootloader would be unlockable, Christy Wyatt, Moto's Vice President of Mobile Software, has said that her company plans to provide a similar solution to devices that are scheduled to receive an update in the second half of 2011. That statement suggests that select existing devices could have their bootloaders unlocked later this year. Ms. Wyatt did point out that these updates are still subject to carrier approval, but she went on to say that the XOOM's ability to have its bootloader unlocked and relocked was well-received by the carriers and that that same method will be used in the updates provided to other devices later this year.
Motorola hasn't exactly been one of the biggest supporters of Android hacking in the past, so the news that it'll be providing unlockable bootloaders on at least some of its Android phones later this year is great for anyone that likes to hack and customize their devices. Of course, it's not yet clear which devices will get the unlocked bootloader love and, due to the fact that the updates will be subject to carrier approval, it's still up in the air as to when or even if some existing products will have their bootloaders unlocked. Still, it's good to hear that Moto is listening to its customers. What do you all think of this news? Has Motorola earned a little more respect from you as a result of this decision?
P.S. For more information on exactly what bootloaders are and why people care about getting them unlocked, Taylor has a great rundown on the subject right here.
