[ocdtrekkie]

This is fair, and a big reason I'm okay with update delays at Verizon. I trust them to block me from shoddy builds made by "fail often" companies like Google. As a business professional, I appreciate that Verizon demands reliability.

...However, people buying the Pixel are expecting direct control from Google, as part of the deal.

Verizon might benefit from taking a page from Motorola or Microsoft's book though: Allow users to opt into receiving direct updates, with the manufacturer or the user accepting the financial risk for problems encountered. Motorola phone users could sign up to be in test waves of their updates, and Microsoft, of course, has a Fast ring, a slow ring, a release preview, and of course, the official launch schedule the regular people are held to.

Note that similarly, when my Lumia Icon got Windows 10 Mobile, which Verizon doesn't currently support at all, Verizon did allow it, but basically said "it's at your own risk". And I get all my Windows Mobile updates directly from Microsoft on release.

Users should be able to accept the risk of a buggier experience to be on the latest software.

[raman325]

I hear you, and appreciate where you are coming from. I will say that Verizon cares a lot about its brand and about perceived quality. I believe that's why they try to maintain as much control over the "change" process as possible, because they see themselves as the ones on the hook when the quality of the experience is sub par.