I really wish they or even Verizon had a pure Android device? Why do they go to t-mobile and ATT?
First, manufactures have to specifically build the phones for Sprint and Verzion as they use CDMA, not the global standard GSM.
Second, both carriers like having more control than TMO seems to want.
Third, keep in mind the only vanilla Android phone on AT&T is the N1, and they didn't even subsidize it when it launched. On all their other phones they try to prevent non-Market app installs.
Verizon won't allow a stock Android device that they have no control over on their network. This is partly because then they can't do things like lobotomize features of the OS and make you pay extra for them (a la tethering). Basically, you can't just make a CDMA phone and put it on a network of your choosing (at least not easily). A stock device on a CDMA network will only happen if the carrier allows it, and it's not Google's fault for this.
T-Mo is the most open carrier, they'll sell stock/unlocked devices and even offer subsidies with contract. AT&T is much less so, but because they have a GSM network (and a promise not to block devices from their network), Google can release stock/unlocked devices for it too, like they did with the Nexus One. You'll have to pay for it unsubsidized and set up the plan seperately though, because AT&T doesn't want to support it. It's certainly there if you want it, but they don't have to make it easy (or affordable) for you.
Hope that sheds some light on things.
Thanks for the info- it was enlightening. But what about Sprint? The always seems to have to worst phone selection. I would think they would just be happy to get another phone...
Like me... I always prefer cdma phones. Maybe because I've only ever been with sprint.Yeah agree, but there are a lot of people on CDMA that would pay for one.
Umm does everyone forget the original Droid was 100% Vanilla.