Disclaimer: If Verizon gets another Nexus, it'll be my next phone.
I like the developer support and the freedom to try out Roms and get timely updates. With my GNex it was refreshing to root by phone and unlock the bootloader in a span of 20-30 minutes.
I have a couple Verizon GNexs and all are in working order and still being used. It's still a good phone for my purposes and can still get timely updates. However, upgrading to a new device is fun too.
My top 3 choices in order of preference:
1. The Verizon Nexus 5--if it comes, it will have openness, developer support, and be a worthy upgrade to my GNex
2. The Moto X Developer Edition--Since the Verizon Nexus 5 may not be released, I may as well have Moto hardware, vanilla android, optimized software, and the possibility of Developer Support.
3. The Note 3--If 1 and 2 don't work out and I must have a locked down carrier branded phone, it might as well have great specs and an awesome screen.
I am not a Developer, I am a Moocher and a Leach. I like to tinker and I like to flash, but I depend on awesome developers for support.
My concern is that many of the developers on other carriers will wait and get the next Nexus , which I may not get. It's true that many developers are on Verizon too, but does anyone have an opinion on the type of support a phone like this will have? 95% on Verizon that have the Moto X, will not have an unlockable bootloader or ability to load custom kernels.
It makes sense to me that some developers may not go the extra mile to make roms that take advantage of the Verizon Moto X DE simply because so few people will have it.
I know the regular Verizon X can be rooted using an exploit in Android that Google recently corrected. The Verizon Moto X DE should be much easier to root, but will developers even try since so few people have it?
I don't mind paying $5.18 to Asurion every month for the peace of mind that I am covered if my device is stolen, lost, or broken. However, any of the insurance providers, including Squaretrade, that cover this phone will probably replace it with a standard edition and not a Developer Edition--making the insurance worthless.
I just wish Moto would offer the courtesy that once you bought a developer edition, they would also unlock standard editions of the phone too if needed.
On the plus side, this phone offers 32 GB of storage and an unlockable bootloader for $50 more than the carrier version.
Of course, it also has no warranties--meaning I'll probably have to wait a good month or two, to check for defects, before unlocking the bootloader.
My fear is that Verizon won't get another Nexus and this may be the next best thing. If it has the longevity of developer support that the Gnex had, I will be one happy camper.. However, I am concerned that many of the developers who can get a Nexus 5, will get a Nexus 5. Those true developers on Verizon may get this phone, but only support it until the next best thing comes along, or not develop roms that can truly take advantage of it's open bootloader.
I may be overanalyzing because I am sure the Moto X will also be good out of the box, but I've always wanted a Moto Nexus on Verizon and know this could be as close as I'll get for awhile.
What do you think? Will developers give this phone legs, more so than the carrier subsidized version?
I like the developer support and the freedom to try out Roms and get timely updates. With my GNex it was refreshing to root by phone and unlock the bootloader in a span of 20-30 minutes.
I have a couple Verizon GNexs and all are in working order and still being used. It's still a good phone for my purposes and can still get timely updates. However, upgrading to a new device is fun too.
My top 3 choices in order of preference:
1. The Verizon Nexus 5--if it comes, it will have openness, developer support, and be a worthy upgrade to my GNex
2. The Moto X Developer Edition--Since the Verizon Nexus 5 may not be released, I may as well have Moto hardware, vanilla android, optimized software, and the possibility of Developer Support.
3. The Note 3--If 1 and 2 don't work out and I must have a locked down carrier branded phone, it might as well have great specs and an awesome screen.
I am not a Developer, I am a Moocher and a Leach. I like to tinker and I like to flash, but I depend on awesome developers for support.
My concern is that many of the developers on other carriers will wait and get the next Nexus , which I may not get. It's true that many developers are on Verizon too, but does anyone have an opinion on the type of support a phone like this will have? 95% on Verizon that have the Moto X, will not have an unlockable bootloader or ability to load custom kernels.
It makes sense to me that some developers may not go the extra mile to make roms that take advantage of the Verizon Moto X DE simply because so few people will have it.
I know the regular Verizon X can be rooted using an exploit in Android that Google recently corrected. The Verizon Moto X DE should be much easier to root, but will developers even try since so few people have it?
I don't mind paying $5.18 to Asurion every month for the peace of mind that I am covered if my device is stolen, lost, or broken. However, any of the insurance providers, including Squaretrade, that cover this phone will probably replace it with a standard edition and not a Developer Edition--making the insurance worthless.
I just wish Moto would offer the courtesy that once you bought a developer edition, they would also unlock standard editions of the phone too if needed.
On the plus side, this phone offers 32 GB of storage and an unlockable bootloader for $50 more than the carrier version.
Of course, it also has no warranties--meaning I'll probably have to wait a good month or two, to check for defects, before unlocking the bootloader.
My fear is that Verizon won't get another Nexus and this may be the next best thing. If it has the longevity of developer support that the Gnex had, I will be one happy camper.. However, I am concerned that many of the developers who can get a Nexus 5, will get a Nexus 5. Those true developers on Verizon may get this phone, but only support it until the next best thing comes along, or not develop roms that can truly take advantage of it's open bootloader.
I may be overanalyzing because I am sure the Moto X will also be good out of the box, but I've always wanted a Moto Nexus on Verizon and know this could be as close as I'll get for awhile.
What do you think? Will developers give this phone legs, more so than the carrier subsidized version?
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