I keep reading articles about how carriers are screwing up android and how much Google depends on them. But I don't understand how this works.
As far as my limited knowledge goes. The phone hardware and software are independent from any carrier. You can just buy an unlocked phone and just put any SIM card from any carrier you wish in it.
When I bought my Motorola milestone, I got it unlocked from a carrier store I don't use. Only because it was cheaper there. Bought it with a cheap pre-paid card, which I just cancelled. Then I put my old SIM card from another carrier on my phone which I'm using today.
So I don't understand what's going on. I suppose I'm missing something? Why do google have to bend over to carriers to do their willing? Why do I keep hearing people complaining about carriers like Verizon bloating up phones with crap apps? Can't manufactures (samsung, htc, motorola) just sell the phone unlocked independently from any carriers and then users just put whoever's sim card on it?
As far as my limited knowledge goes. The phone hardware and software are independent from any carrier. You can just buy an unlocked phone and just put any SIM card from any carrier you wish in it.
When I bought my Motorola milestone, I got it unlocked from a carrier store I don't use. Only because it was cheaper there. Bought it with a cheap pre-paid card, which I just cancelled. Then I put my old SIM card from another carrier on my phone which I'm using today.
So I don't understand what's going on. I suppose I'm missing something? Why do google have to bend over to carriers to do their willing? Why do I keep hearing people complaining about carriers like Verizon bloating up phones with crap apps? Can't manufactures (samsung, htc, motorola) just sell the phone unlocked independently from any carriers and then users just put whoever's sim card on it?