Motorola today announced two big changes to its Developer Edition Program after receiving feedback from customers who purchased the special devices. In short, users want more flexibility to tinker with the operating system, whether that’s creating and flashing a custom build of Android or porting one from the enthusiast community.
Here is what the Google-owned company is now promising:
- Requesting an unlock code will no longer void the device’s warranty.
- It will start posting return-to-factory software images.
It’s worth emphasizing that the first point is retroactive. Customers who have already purchased a 2012 or 2013 Developer Edition device directly from Motorola and who requested a bootloader unlock code will have their warranty reinstated. Naturally, the warranty is effective from the date of original purchase.
Up until today, when customers requested a bootloader unlock code, Motorola would automatically void the warranty for that Developer Edition device. The company also didn’t offer software images in case something went wrong.
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Recovery images (as shipped from the factory) will be posted on Motorola’s website over here. You will be able to download and flash your device to restore it to its original factory software.
Motorola says it is “focused on delivering the best Android experiences and the best of Google services.” While improvements have been very slow since Google acquired the company, it is worth noting that Android 4.4 KitKat started rolling out to the Moto X in less than three weeks.
If Motorola keeps it up, it might actually stop bleeding money and start adding value to Google’s Android ecosystem. In the meantime, we’re still waiting for a Moto Nexus.
See also – Google’s Q2 earnings hurt by Motorola’s $342 million loss, will the Moto X be able to reverse the trend? and Motorola announces Ara, an open hardware project to create customizable smartphones
Top Image Credit: Remy Gabalda / Getty Images
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