The ability of a user to “root” or “jailbreak” their phone is a contentious issue for all cell phone manufacturers. Microsoft, however, seems to be the newest mobile device developer to embrace end-user openness, allowing users to download an app that roots your WinMo7 phone, and install software outside of the Windows Phone Marketplace. The app costs $9 and is approved by Microsoft. They will even let you maintain your warranty while you use it.
WebOS was the first smartphone platform to be made completely open to the end-user. To root the phone, all you had to do was type in the Konami Code. This would allow you to install any homebrew apps or phone hacks you wanted to, including Preware, which cataloged apps and managed updates for the community of homebrew developers. There was an entire counter-culture to WebOS that let you take ownership of your experience and tailor it to your needs.
WebOS was never seen on OEM devices, but before it met its recent fate there were talks about allowing other hardware manufacturers to offer WebOS phones. Palm and HP set strict standards on the would-be manufacturers of WebOS phones by forcing them to keep the phones unified throughout the platform. They also were not allowed to use an existing phone platform (ie. Samsung Galaxy S) and adapt it to use WebOS, it had to be a separate device specifically made to run WebOS. Clearly they wanted to protect the freedom of the users of the product, even if it meant adopting policies that were unfavorable to other manufacturers.
Google took a different approach by making their platform more open to the OEMs, rather than being more open to the user. The manufacturers of different Android phones are allowed to make any changes they want to the platform, including the development of their own user interfaces, stock software and background services. It’s up to the manufacturer whether they want you to root the phone or not. Some Android manufacturers have even put in place measures that brick the phone if you try to root it. This is sort of the same strategy that Microsoft used in the nineties to promote their brand. Instead of marketing and catering to the end user, they gave the OEMs whatever they wanted, and let them use their own marketing strategies to sell the products, which were bundled with Microsoft software. It may seem backwards, but it is why 90% of computers today have Microsoft Windows on them.
You may not just use your phone as you please, pffft
Since Apple owns both the manufacturing division and controls the app store for their devices, they have tried as hard as they can to keep their users from jailbreaking iPhones, even going as far as to having the procedure declared illegal in the US copyright court. Apple’s architecture is completely closed, which is a selling point they use in their marketing strategy. Having complete control over the platform allows Apple to keep the experience uniform between devices and gives them a monopoly over both the sales of their phones and the apps that run on them. It’s the “We know what’s best for you” business model that they’ve been using for decades.
With the ability to root your own Windows Mobile 7 phone, this is going to essentially lead to the proliferation of a community that works behind the development of the phone. There will likely be all kinds of hacks, interface tweaks and software mods that will change the way people use their WinMo7 phones. When WebOS was at its prime, the homebrew community was very influential on the development of the phone itself, and it lends to curiosity if Microsoft is also trying to crowdsource the platform’s future.
This is definitely a new direction for Microsoft in many ways, and it is a cunning method for promoting the brand. It may be a tad bit risky, but it seems like the most popular mobile device makers are the ones making the boldest moves. Whatever any technology company can do to make their products more open is always going to be great for the consumer. Cheers to Microsoft for taking another step toward personal user experience freedom.
Articles RSS