I simply want the blue one. I missed both stocks of the Google store by minutes and I don't expect it to appear again. I don't care about the boot lock, only the updates. I'm looking to buy from Verizon and switch the phone to project Fi the same day. I'll just eat the $65 which I'm sure will be less than an eBay markup. I'm currently using a nex6 on sprint btw.
Anyways. With this update news that has come where Google has said that carriers have to approve updates to carrier sold phones.... Would I be incorrect in assuming that if the carrier is changed this should no longer apply?
I don't think you'll have a problem if you really want to get the blue one from Verizon and use it on Sprint, or wherever else you want to use it.
Some people seem to confuse a phone that is sim locked and one that is bootloader locked.
If a phone is sim locked to a certain carrier, it will not recognize sims from other networks until it is unlocked.
All of Verizon's 4G phones are sim unlocked by default. They will work with other carriers and Verizon doesn't need to do anything on their end. The most they could do is blacklist a device if it was reported stolen or the customer stopped paying for it.
The phones from Google and those from Verizon will work with all carriers because they are both sim unlocked out of the box.
All phones have their bootloaders locked by default for security. It prevents unauthorized software from getting on the device and prevents the software from telling the hardware to do things the manufacturer may not have intended. By default, both Verizon and Google will sell phones with locked bootloaders for the security of the user.
However, Google has traditionally allowed users to unlock the bootloader if they wish. It allows them to install custom software, easily root their phone, overclock the processor, etc. It's also possible to royally damage your phone if you don't know what you're doing.....
Verizon will not allow users to unlock their bootloader. Users will not have the option to run custom software, root their phone, alter the way the software and hardware interact, but they can still use it on any carrier they want to because it is still sim unlocked.
Personally, I like tinkering with my phone and use certain apps that require root access. However, most people probably won't care if they can unlock their boot loader or not.
Regarding the software updates, I am assuming that Verizon will control any updates for any Pixel that is using an active Verizon sim.
There have been previous users that reported using a Google-purchased Nexus 6 and Nexus 5X on Verizon and also having updates delayed. If I recall correctly, some of them mentioned putting the phone in airplane mode or removing the sim card to try and force the update to download and install.
After it was installed, they were able to continue on Verizon as normal. I would imagine Verizon would handle the Pixel the same way. If you're using a Pixel with an active Verizon sim, your updates may get delayed. However, if you purchased a Pixel from Verizon but are using it on another carrier, with a non-Verizon sim, I would be surprised if Verizon would control anything.
Of course, I could be wrong, but it doesn't make sense that Verizon would care about phones that aren't being used on their network.
Conversely, even if you purchase your Pixel from Google, your updates could potentially get delayed if you are using it on their network. No one knows at this point and can only go by past experiences.
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Goog...-policy-to-account-for-carrier-delays_id63465
Regarding the Verizon Bloatware......
A couple years ago, the Nexus 6 was announced and it was impossible to order from Google's store. It was backordered for a couple months. However, I coveted that phone and, oddly enough Tmobile was selling it directly. They were also offering a couple promotions to try them out.
Since I use Google Voice for everything, I decided to suspend my Verizon service temporarily and give TMO a try.
As a new TMO customer, I must've been put on the fast track, because my phone shipped in 2-3 days, while current TMO customers, who had placed orders earlier, were still waiting....LOL
My phone arrived and when I powered it on, it automatically downloaded the TMO account app and completed activation. TMO is a great company, but their coverage didn't meet my needs, so I closed out my account, paid off my phone, and reactivated my Verizon service.
First thing I did was uninstall the TMO account app from my Nexus 6. Second thing that I did was take my active Verizon sim and place it in my Nexus 6.
Since my phone was already setup and I was already logged into my Google account, the Verizon sim didn't prompt the phone to download any extra apps.
I really don't think the Verizon bloatware is a big deal. When you turn on the phone, it'll recognize the Verizon sim and download the apps that Verizon wants you to have on your phone. If you don't want them, you can just uninstall them. Every report that I've read indicates that the apps will be uninstallable, just as with my TMO Nexus 6..
People were criticizing AT&T back when the Nexus 6 was released. However, all the bloat could easily be removed.
AT&T Will Muddy Up Your Pristine Nexus 6 With Bloatware
Better yet, if you don't wan't bloat, remove the carrier sim before you setup the phone.
http://phandroid.com/2014/11/20/att-nexus-6-apps/
If you want the blue phone and don't care about unlocking the bootloader, get the Verizon version. However, if you sell the phone and a potential buyer asks you where you purchased it, let them know. For some people, the ability to unlock the bootloader is important. Good Luck.
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