Atrix HD continues locked bootloader tradition, may be set free... eventually

![Atrix HD continues locked bootloader tradition, may be set free... eventually][1]

Motorola's record on the whole smartphone [bootloader][2] thing is a tad [spotty][3]. The world has been [promised unlocked bootloaders][4] and, [sometimes][5], the manufacturer has [delivered][6]. After the phones have already been on the market for some time, of course. Continuing that trend, will be the recently revealed [Atrix HD][7]. The 4.5-inch AT&T-bound phone will follow in the footsteps of its predecessors, the [Atrix 4G][8] and [Atrix 2][9], by shipping without the ability to touch the kernel. Of course, that means that not only are custom kernels out the window, but so are custom ROMs as a whole. There is some good news, however. Moto indicated via its Twitter account that an unlock tool would be coming, saying "our goal is still to provide a way to unlock the bootloaders on our devices to those who wish to do so, more details to come." So, that's gotta be worth something.

[Atrix HD continues locked bootloader tradition, may be set free... eventually][10] originally appeared on [Engadget][11] on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 17:52:00 EDT. Please see our [terms for use of feeds][12].

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[Permalink][13] ![][14][Talk Android][15], [Android Police][16] | ![source][17][Motorola Mobility (Twitter)][18] | [Email this][19] | [Comments][20]

[1]: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/07/7-12-2012atrixhdlocked.jpg
[2]: http://www.engadget.com/tag/bootloader
[3]: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/06/motorola-unlocked-bootloader-petition/
[4]: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/motorola-promises-unlocked-bootloaders-for-future-android-phones/
[5]: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/14/international-atrix-unlocked-bootloader-uncovered-hackers-aroun/
[6]: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/24/motorola-razr-open-for-unlocked-bootloader-business-if-the-carr/
[7]: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/10/atandt-atrix-hd-priced-at-99-coming-july-15/
[8]: http://www.engadget.com/motorola/atrix-4g-review/
[9]: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/27/motorola-atrix-2-review/
[10]: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/11/atrix-hd-continues-locked-bootloader-tradition-may-be-set-free/
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[16]: http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/07/10/motorola-atrix-hd-will-have-a-locked-signed-bootloader-our-goal-is-to-provide-a-way-to-unlock-to-those-who-wish-to-do-so/
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