[davidy123]

My theory is Google doesn't want to be too competitive, they mainly want to enable the Android market. If they're too competitive, Samsung, Motorolo, Oppo, etc will change to a different base. Google benefits from Android anyway by its embedded core of Google services.

However, I think with the -a series (7a, etc) they've turned to filling a gap with a reasonably priced high quality device, because Samsung &c low priced handsets are really terrible.

[kyriakos]

That's a good theory, could also explain why pixel devices are only available in only a small part of the world population.

[drexlspivey]

What other OSes are out there to choose from?

[bombolo]

I'm waiting for the great symbian comeback!

[revelio]

Android forks.

[kyriakos]

huawei seems to have found a way around google since they were restricted from using it.