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Asus refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools

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Re: Asus refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools

#141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

I think GP meant two other devices (not from asus) where the vendor doesn't patch and the bootloader is locked.

You're correct. My other phones were from my wireless carrier, and didn't support unlocking the bootloader, so I had to keep upgrading (over a period of years.) I bought the Zenfone to try to break that cycle. The old devices still function, aside from being outside of vendor support (or in the case of one, incompatible with the carrier's network after infrastructure upgrades.)

Re: Asus refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools

#142

Long is gone the time where unlocking bootloaders and installing custom ROMs was the best path to follow. Even if you are able to unlock it (with difficulties such as this one, or others that involve opening the device and soldering a shortcut), you will have a device where apps check for unlocked bootloaders and rooted OS, and forbid you from use the application.

This is rubbish. I'm running GrapheneOS and have left my bootloader unlocked, and there's no app that has refused to work. The only caveat is some of them need Google Play services. No, I am not rooted, but my last phone was rooted and there might have been one or two apps out of dozens that wouldn't work with root even with Magisk trying to hide the root status. Using a custom ROM is easily one of the beat choices I…

GrapheneOS is not a ROM. It's an OS.

Re: Asus refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools

#143

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hard to believe that it actually reached the Small Claims Court, let alone succeeded! Well done that person!

> Hard to believe that it actually reached the Small Claims Court It's easy to file a small claim in the UK. More info on the process for England & Wales here: https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money > let alone succeeded! The article is light on details, but it sounds like the parties settled before any hearing or ruling.

In Ontario, Canada, part of the small claims process is a pre-trial conference, with a retired judge moderating. Further, nothing disclosed may be used as part of the trial.

Its goal is to help with an amicable settlement.

More info: In small claims, lawyers are not forbidden, but they may only speak for their client, and their client must be there, or present remorely, listening and ready to accept offers or deals.

And if lawyers use legalese, the residing judge must explain to you what is being said, and will look unfavorably at the lawyer for not speaking plainly, and wasting everyone's time.

Technically lawyers are not allowed as lawyers, but accommodations must be made for a company 1000s of km or more away. Someone must speak for them.

Re: Asus refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools

#144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is rubbish. I'm running GrapheneOS and have left my bootloader unlocked, and there's no app that has refused to work. The only caveat is some of them need Google Play services. No, I am not rooted, but my last phone was rooted and there might have been one or two apps out of dozens that wouldn't work with root even with Magisk trying to hide the root status. Using a custom ROM is easily one of the beat choices I…

What are the downsides with GrapheneOS? I had a few problems with root (Netflix and banking apps) but would love my privacy. My main reason for root is the firewall to block outgoing connections from apps that are not supposed to do it

Firewall wouldn't be necessary with GrapheneOS. There's a network toggle which you can use to completely cut off internet access for an app. As for the downsides, I would say close to zero. It feels just like a stock OS, without any kind of bloatware and a lot more secure

Re: Asus refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools

#146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So I guess next thing we need is someone sueing the fucking banks that do that. Mine luckily doesn't because I explicitly use an old phone with LineageOS, the banking app, and nothing else on it for online banking. It's arguably way more secure than using your main phone with a bazillion other Apps installed and online at all times.

How would that stick? You can just sign into the bank via your web browser in the case of a nonfunctional app. The apps just give you added security assurances beyond using the web. "The app can't function in a low security environment, but complainant is free to use the web client in such event." case dismissed (obviously an oversimplification, but the point stands)

Signing transactions usually take you back to the 2FA app here, where the amount and receiver is repeated.

Even if someone hijacks my computers web browser, the worst they can do is see my statements, any attempt to transfer out will pop up a prompt in the phone.

Re: Asus refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools

#147

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lenovo's Moto phones

I recently got Lenovo Moto G7 Plus (not recent but recent enough for their purpose), because LineageOS fully supports them [1]. Then I found out to unlock the bootloader I had to: 1. get a string via a `fastboot` command 2. create a motorola.com account 3. paste string in some motorola.com page to get an "unlock code" emailed IF Motorola decides your device is "unlockable" 4. `fastboot oem unlock UNLOCK_CODE` 5. conn…

Oh, ew, they've really regressed then. Step 5 is new:(

Re: Asus refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools

#149

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is rubbish. I'm running GrapheneOS and have left my bootloader unlocked, and there's no app that has refused to work. The only caveat is some of them need Google Play services. No, I am not rooted, but my last phone was rooted and there might have been one or two apps out of dozens that wouldn't work with root even with Magisk trying to hide the root status. Using a custom ROM is easily one of the beat choices I…

GrapheneOS is not a ROM. It's an OS.

What's the difference?
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