I know it's possible to crack firmwares to get around any restrictions. But I think it's silly to have to hack your own device to have control of it. I'd prefer a platform in which that is the default...

1) Google Nexus phones do come with this as the default.

2) For many Android devices (kit from MOT excepted), the hacks are pretty trivial. I suspect the protections on HTC phones are more of a "Warranty void if removed" sticker than something to really bar you from gaining root.

You don't need to root your Android phone unless you want to re-flash a different version of the OS. If you're just looking to download apps from outside the market (direct from SourceForge or GoogleCode for example) all it takes is to check one little checkbox in the setting screen.

There's no need to root most Android phones to install any software you want. Just go to Settings/Applications and check "Unknown sources Allow installation of non-Market applications"

AT&T (and perhaps other carriers) disable that option, but even in that case, there's a workaround that doesn't require rooting. (Google "android non-market adb".)

It's still a brass bitch to run anything that isn't a simple apk with restricted permissions on a non-rooted phone.

This is useful, and I think more of what the OP was looking for.