Did HTC's unlocking of their bootloaders make anyone second guess the GNex?

[jackdubl]

Much of the cache of the Nexus was the bootloader, at least for me. I wasn't even considering a different brand since I can't go back to an unrooted phone. But with HTC unlocking all their bootloaders, I find the Nexus's status has dropped a bit in my book. Just wondering if anyone else felt the same or different?

 

[ska.t73]

Much of the cache of the Nexus was the bootloader, at least for me. I wasn't even considering a different brand since I can't go back to an uprooted phone. But with HTC unlocking all their bootloaders, I find the Nexus's status has dropped a bit in my book. Just wondering if anyone else felt the same or different?

Not at all, remember unlocking the bootloader on an HTC phone is very different then what we have on the Nexus. Unlocking the bootloader doesn't give you root access, you still have to exploit the phone for that. The nexus root is not an exploit, it is simply having to install the SU binaries.

Also when source is droped for the Nexus it is everything. HTC is notorious for not releasing source for things like the radio and kernels, that is why it took so long for CM to come out for the TBolt. CM had to hack the radio to get the data to work right. And I don't think HTC has ever released the source for the TBolt kernel.

 

[jackdubl]

Except the Rezound's source code was released a month ago and everyone got permanent root as soon as they unlocked the bootloader, so I think you're wrong about this. I think you're right about the radios, but that's it.

 

[ska.t73]

Except the Rezound's source code was released a month ago and everyone got permanent root as soon as they unlocked the bootloader, so I think you're wrong about this.

All of the source code was released? And the perm root was still an exploit, the TBolt had the bootloader and perm root a couple days after release, and source code is released by Google for every Android release. The problem isn't the OS source code, it is the source for the radio firmware and kernel.

I've seen a couple ROMs for the Rezound that still don't have data working. I'm just going by what I have seen on the TBolt. It might be easier to do Sense ROMs, but if you are looking for an AOSP rom the devs are going to have to hack the radio files to get it working.

 

[jackdubl]

Well, I definitely want aosp.

Thread in Rezound forum says kernel source was released.

 

[asmallchild]

not really, still the first to get updates

 

[ska.t73]

Well, I definitely want aosp.

Thread in Rezound forum says kernel source was released.

That's cool that they released the kernel source, I know the devs were having issues with HTC about the TBolt kernel source... Hopefully they will be better with the Rezound.

 

[Khatmandu]

No.

 

[jkc120]

No, because I already had exchanged for one! heh. Anyway, it does remove one of the factors that would have given the nod to the Nexus, at least for me. But the Nexus will definitely get updates first, at least until CM9 is available for the Rezound, then I'll be running CM9 nightlies anyway

 

[Premium1]

And look the htc bootloader got unlocked but cm7 and those similar roms had plenty of issues that take awhile to fix if they can even fix it. None of those issues with a nexus since the full source always gets released and not months later.

 

[jkc120]

And look the htc bootloader got unlocked but cm7 and those similar roms had plenty of issues that take awhile to fix if they can even fix it. None of those issues with a nexus since the full source always gets released and not months later.

The HTC Incredible was an absolutely new phone after running CM7. It did not take long to get issues resolved, and if you think google releases updates or fixes things fast, you haven't run a cyanogenmod rom Literally, I've reported an issue to a dev in #cyanogenmod on freenode and an hour later they've released a kang'd version that fixes the problem, and the change is in the next nightly build.

Don't know cyanogenmod or other ROMs with such generalizations, it's really bad information.

 

[Premium1]

The HTC Incredible was an absolutely new phone after running CM7. It did not take long to get issues resolved, and if you think google releases updates or fixes things fast, you haven't run a cyanogenmod rom Literally, I've reported an issue to a dev in #cyanogenmod on freenode and an hour later they've released a kang'd version that fixes the problem, and the change is in the next nightly build.

Don't know cyanogenmod or other ROMs with such generalizations, it's really bad information.

I was talking about the thunderbolt. That took forever to get working radios and data with cm7. yes it is good but still doesn't change the fact that if htc takes awhile to release the kernels and radio the roms will suffer.

 

[Dex]

After owning an Incredible and a Thunderbolt, no.

I was ready to switch. I'd still never own a Moto smartphone, so Samsung was the next obvious choice. I've been dying to have a REAL Google-branded or Nexus phone. This was my chance. I'm quite happy.

 

[pragmatous]

No, I love the phone. The only issue I have is this banding on the screen. Other than that it's a great phone.

I would have gotten the rezound if it was a lot thinner. I have no interest in a brick for a phone.

 

[SecondShot]

Love my Nexus.

Unlocking the bootloader on another device doesn't change that. I actually liked my thunderbolt too after rooting and running liquid. It did take months to fix stuff and GPS and other things still required tricks to get up and going. If you were willing to fiddle you could fix it. Not everyone is willing to do that..eg.look at all the requests for one click root. Not a bad thing, just means keeping it simple for most is key.

Camera is pretty bad...though. it's my only complaint. Good thread...

 

[Outatime]

Not in the least. I played with the Rezound extensively in the store. On Gnex release day, I went into the store, turned it on and saw the screen and said, "I'll take one of these, please."

Never regretted it or looked back. I own, IMO, the best Android device on the market.

 

[Foolish Mortal]

I love the Rezound. I played with it for a couple of weeks before handing it off to my brother. I just love my Nexus more. Both are great phones.

 

[kyler13]

I have to assume being a Samsung device, the Galaxy Nexus is easily flashed with ODIN? This is by far the easiest tool I've ever dealt with. It's virtually impossible to brick my Droid Charge. I'm not sure that simply unlocking the bootloader in the Rezound negates what the Galaxy Nexus brings to the table.

 

[ChiTownJim]

I've owned every Android HTC phone released on Verizon including the Rezound and an EVO . I've really enjoyed all of them , I Really liked the Rezound but it was so laggy especially when I tried to run third party skins . I said to my self if the Rezound got full root before the Nexus I'd keep it as the screen was great and the camera was amazing it also had slightly better call quality and a louder speaker . But after having the Nexus since release I couldn't go back even with a full CM9 port to the Rezound I love the Nexus Form factor, I love the huge curved screen, I've fixed the volume issues , the notification light is awesome (with light flow) I'm getting amazing battery life and just the fact that I'll never have to wait for an update is enough for me to keep this phone for at least 12 months and possible a fully 20 months (longer then any smartphone I've owned )

 

[eagle17]

I plan on getting a rezound now that the bootloader is unlocked and perm root is achieved, I will however keep my charge and finally let slip my thunderbolt... or keep it with the rest of the misfits (droid, droidx, charge, nexus s 4g)

I really like the form factor of the gnex... I wish it had a better camera, and better reception... ( I am not talking about bars or the difference between 3g and 4g in -db) well and if it was a perfect world I would get 24hrs of heavy use or 3 days including standby/sleep from the battery...

 

[EarlyMon]

Android is all about choice. Phones with unlocked bootloaders and perm root give more choices to their owners.

But both are worthy phones and now people for whom the Rezound might be a better personal choice have lost the artificial barrier to full enjoyment that was in their way before.

Rezound owners that like Sense but no bloat can go with CleanROM and now there's a BAMF rom, and an over-clocking kernel. Just within one day of the unlock.

But AOSP lovers know you can never beat the Nexus platform for that, and you finally have that on Verizon.

Toss in the RAZR and there's enough choices so everyone can win.

This thread is 50/50 accurate on Rezound rooting details. If anyone cares for updated straight dope on the Rezound root, please check out our Rezound root forum for more details.

Take away from the Gnex? No. An add for Android on Verizon? Yes.

That's my personal take, fwiw.

 

[drPheta]

I knew unlocking and rooting the HTC device was inevitable (coming from a Dinc). The problem for me is the waiting for updated AOSP ROMs to have fully functioning features (GPS, 720P camera, etc.) On the Nexus, I never have to worry about that.

Both are great phones, but I wanted a Nexus since the first one was ever announced. I don't regret buying this one at all. What I do regret is how Samsung chose a crappier camera than their GSII... and why Samsung can't seem to squeeze a proper speaker into the camera for decent speakerphone use.

 

[kidtronic]

Not really. I got to play with my friend's Rezound the other day and while it's nice, the screen felt a bit washed out, web browsing didn't seem as smooth, and gingerbread was difficult to get excited about after using ICS. It would just be a step backwards in too many ways for me to feel comfortable.

 

[BubbaNexus]

nope. don't bootload or root, or whatever.

 

[Premium1]

Not really. I got to play with my friend's Rezound the other day and while it's nice, the screen felt a bit washed out, web browsing didn't seem as smooth, and gingerbread was difficult to get excited about after using ICS. It would just be a step backwards in too many ways for me to feel comfortable.

I think if you never used ICS it would be a nice phone but once you use ICS it is hard to go back to gb no matter how nice the phone is.