Google has stated today that Verizon will be in control of system-level updates for the newly released Pixel and Pixel-XL smartphones. This means the Verizon-branded Pixel might not receive important system updates alongside the unlocked versions sold by Google itself.
Google, in a statement, said, “Monthly security updates will come from Google (for all models), and system updates will be managed by Verizon for Verizon models, and Google for unlocked models bought from Google store.”
For its previous Nexus devices, Google controls and distributes system updates as and when it is required. This is also one of the primary benefits of the purchasing a Google Pixel/Nexus handset rather than going in for a carrier model. Consumers who will be going for the carrier branded model will lose this benefit.
Verizon has also intended to install third party apps — also called bloatware — on the Pixel, even though Verizon assures that users will be able to delete unwanted apps. Verizon’s Pixel will be shipped alongside a locked bootloader, preventing consumers from loading their own system builds.
