I have an OG Droid that I love to use, but I constantly push it to the limit, both in multi-tasking and in amount of data it needs to store, 256MB just isn't enough. I have had to have my power button repaired twice in the last two months, thankfully a local cellular place can fix it for $30 (second time was in their warranty period). I really want a Droid 3, I'm addicted to QWERTY. Once upon a time I had a Palm Tungsten C and a Palm Centro, so I like it and am used to it, and right now, the D3 is really the only high-end QWERTY android that is on Verizon. I haven't committed because I want the freedom of choice in just what I run on my Droid, just like being able to choose what I install on my PC, which my ISP gets no say in.
A couple of months ago Motorola said they'd be unlocking in Q3/Q4 of 2011 if the carrier let them, but has yet to state specifics on what devices they will release patches for. HTC came out and said they would unlock them ASAP, and didn't qualify the statement with the carrier allowing it. Motorola just won't tell us anything definitive about devices that may or may not be unlocked in a couple of months, HTC is giving firm timelines for several devices already, though not yet identifying any Verizon units. Verizon has said unlocked devices can be activated on their network, so unless they have decided to grant a most favored nation status to HTC, Motorola is looking for a dodge, IMHO.
Below are several quotes that you can use to make your own judgment on who is teasing folks along and who is walking the walk.
HTC from facebook:
We’re thrilled to announce today that software updates to support bootloader unlocking will begin rolling out in August for the global HTC Sensation, followed by the HTC Sensation 4G on T-Mobile USA and the HTC EVO 3D on Sprint. We’re in the testing phase for the unlocking capability now, and we expect it to be fully operational by early September for devices that have received the software updates. We'll continue rolling out the unlocking capability over time to other devices as part of maintenance releases and new shipments.HTC continues its commitment to unlocking bootloaders and supporting the developer community. Because of the importance of this community to us, please expect an update on this about every few weeks as we make progress toward launch. Thank you for your patience and continued support!
Motorola AusDroid and Moto dev forum:
“In terms of your question – we completely understand the operator requirement for security to the end user, and as well, want to support the developer communities desire to use these products as a development platform. It is our intention to enable the unlockable/relockable bootloader currently found on Motorola XOOM across our portfolio of devices starting in late 2011, where carriers and operators will allow it.”
Correction>> You CAN activate your HTC device with an unlocked bootloader on our network, we apologize for the confusion.