[Klotz]

With so many people preferring stock android, it doesn't make sense for every manufacturer to go through the trouble of making their own flavor. And considering that stock android is the biggest benefit for the Nexus line, it makes sense that Google would want to force MFG's to alter it. I smell a conspiracy.

[jaguar10301]

No, it's the carriers that tell the manufacturers to skin phones.

[Ry]

The "so many people" that supposedly "prefer stock Android" are simply the very vocal minority.

Regular consumers don't care and will probably never care.

[Ry]

No, it's the carriers that tell the manufacturers to skin phones.

There's probably more to it than that.

I'd imagine manufacturers would want their devices to look different from each other's devices. In developing Blur, TouchWiz, and Sense, Motorola, Samsung, and HTC are developing their own Android experience likely in the hopes that you like that you gain familiarity and your next phone is one of their phones.

[Klotz]

Just wish we could have the choice. Stock android roms with working drivers should be made available on MFG's websites for power users who do care. You've already bought their device. It would be a big selling point, and not technically complicated.

[Ry]

Just wish we could have the choice. Stock android roms with working drivers should be made available on MFG's websites for power users who do care. You've already bought their device. It would be a big selling point, and not technically complicated.

..or you could just buy a Nexus device if stock meant that much to you.

[Klotz]

Yea but its frustrating having to make the choice between a top of line device like Htc One X, or GS3 and Nexus just to get stock android.

[pazzo02]

No, it's the carriers that tell the manufacturers to skin phones.

That is incorrect. Carriers had nothing to do with the design of Sense, Motoblur, or Touchwiz. Carriers only tell the manufacturer what apps they want baked into the ROM.

The mods that the manufacturers make to the Andriod system are just another part of the marketing scheme. For instance, someone who has an HTC and likes Sense may be more inclined to stay with HTC for their next phone.

[Ry]

That is incorrect. Carriers had nothing to do with the design of Sense, Motoblur, or Touchwiz. Carriers only tell the manufacturer what apps they want baked into the ROM.
P
The mods that the manufacturers make to the Andriod system are just another part of the marketing scheme. For instance, someone who has an HTC and likes Sense may be more inclined to stay with HTC for their next phone.

While carriers may not have specifically asked for Blur, Sense, and TouchWiz to be developed, the carriers probably asked Motorola, HTC, and Samsung "how are your phones going to stand out?"

[jaguar10301]

The "so many people" that supposedly "prefer stock Android" are simply the very vocal minority.

Regular consumers don't care and will probably never care.

they don't know any better, but they do notice the battery life and laggy phones and may not go back to android. Just because they aren't asking for stock (out of ignorance) doesn't mean they wouldn't prefer it, and that it wouldn't help Android as a whole.

[jaguar10301]

That is incorrect. Carriers had nothing to do with the design of Sense, Motoblur, or Touchwiz. Carriers only tell the manufacturer what apps they want baked into the ROM.

The mods that the manufacturers make to the Andriod system are just another part of the marketing scheme. For instance, someone who has an HTC and likes Sense may be more inclined to stay with HTC for their next phone.

Where did I say that the carriers designed the skins? I said they tell the manufacturers to differentiate the phones of which skinning is one thing.

You all must remember that in America the mfg's true customers are the carriers not us. The Carriers pick the phones they want, tell the mfg's what they want, etc...

Mfg's have told the Verge writers that the carriers ask them to differentiate with skins.

[Ry]

they don't know any better, but they do notice the battery life and laggy phones and may not go back to android. Just because they aren't asking for stock (out of ignorance) doesn't mean they wouldn't prefer it, and that it wouldn't help Android as a whole.

If they've invested in the ecosystem, they're more likely to come back. As these phones get faster and more efficient, regular consumers will notice this supposed lag caused by skins.

I feel as if regular consumers (who have no brand preference) look for a smartphone that has a form factor they like, can run the apps they want, and is at the right price for them.

If their previous phone had MOTOBLUR and they check out a new one that has a similar MOTOBLUR, they're more likely to get that one out of familiarity - and that's what Motorola wants. All of these manufactures want your next phone to also be from them and that's more difficult for manufacturers to achieve if every phone had stock Android.