Only as a counterpoint...I disagree. And I know this will not be a popular point of view.
Having come to the DX just recently, I find the stock kernel quite sufficient. Everything works as expected: screens swipe without stutter, pushing the dial button, actually dials the number, and pushing the end call button, actually ends the call.
Not much more than 3 months ago, I was using a Sprint HTC Hero, and that needed a modded kernel in the worst way.
With the processor speed Moto has in the DX, the large internal memory, and reportedly the best battery performance in the smart phone world, I really don't see the need to change the kernel. There are many ROMs and themes to change the way it looks...
Now, on general principals, yes, I agree we should be able modify the product that we bought, understanding that will void any warranty.
Between the Incredible and the DX, as I have said before, the DX has better low signal call quality, and better sounding calls all together. Didn't consider the TB.
Hey if you dig the stock kernel on the DX then that's great my man, I'm glad you're enjoying your new device as much as you are. Heck anyone who's content with the DX and the locked bootloader, I'm not mad at ya. If the phone works for you as is then there's no reason to look any further.
There are a lot of people however that enjoy tinkering to the max and tweaking out everything we possibly can. I belong to that group of people. When I saw all the kernels I could flash on the EVO my mouth began to water. I know how much fun I've had flashing Apex, GummyJAR, Ultimate Droid, DarkSlide, Liberty, Rubix, Tranquility and the leaked Gingerbread ROM. Just thinking about all the possibilities that lie behind some of those custom kernels combined with any number of the ROMs available for the EVO made my head spin with excitement!
That's the experience I'm looking towards with my next device. Which is why the Bionic doesn't interest me one iota. If it had an unlocked bootloader? Then that would be another story. But I know it won't, so I'm not even going to entertain the thought. Rumors are swirling around the Targa being the next Nexus device... I find that very hard to believe, but if it were true... oh boy!!!
I'm currently waiting on my LG G2x to arrive in the mail. I ordered it on Tuesday, but it's still processing (Damn it man!!!). Vanilla Android, unlocked bootloader, and they're already working on the CyanogenMod7 nightlies... my knees go weak when I think of the possibilities!
Now I'll be keeping the DX instead of trying to sell it. I doubt it would bring very much now anyways, but honestly why would I give this bad boy up? I can still use it as my full-time GPS/Music player in my car. My kids can use it like a mini-tablet when I connect it to the hotspot on my G2x. And
IF they ever were to break the bootloader on this son of a gun... WATCH OUT!!! I honestly think this thing has so much potential that Moto had to lock it down to keep us from printing our own money and transporting ourselves to Mars and back... you know, stuff like that!
So anyways, great review Thats, I'm glad you're enjoying your new device. However I have to say bro... I do NOT envy the new crowd you're going to be hanging out with over there. I've been lurking over there a little bit here and there, and man that is the rudest crowd I've come across since joining Phandroid back in August of last year. SERIOUSLY!!! Check out this thread for instance...
http://androidforums.com/htc-thunderbolt/322232-smart-me-buy-thunderbolt-now-outdated.html
This guy came in asking very genuine questions, very well spoken, not confrontational at all... and he get's responses like...
"Cliff notes please"
"DO NOT BUY... THANK YOU"
and...
"Use the SEARCH function"...
WTF???
Not the kind of welcome I'm used to seeing given around here. Their stand-offish behavior compelled me (and I don't even have a damn T-Bolt) to send the guy a private message apologizing for their lack of hospitality. I guess I might be spoiled by all the patient, warm and caring people here on the DX forum, I dunno. But I know if he'd have asked that question around here there would have been quite a bit more information given to him than just, "use the SEARCH".
And that was one of the nicer threads I've seen. A lot of them get pretty ugly. If you happen upon a thread where someone has something negative to say about the phone, it's like walking into a knife fight! I get the distinct impression that the majority of the members over there are young and uninterested in other peoples concerns. They're just there to praise their handset of choice.
Not that this forum didn't resemble that kind of attitude a little when I first joined. Those who wandered in here with less than high praise for the DX were met with lazer beam eyeballs and acid tongues I will admit. But now it seems SOOO much more laid back.
Perhaps that's because all those young, uninterested peeps have moved on to bigger and better devices.... eh?
lol