[Nexus 4 General] BarryH_GEG:
Does anyone here really think Google cares how many N4's are sold or whether people get served up ads or buy content from Play on a non-Nexus device? Those things are why Android exists. Samsung's sold 100MM Galaxy devices compared to about 3MM Nexus phones Google will have sold which includes the lifetime run of the N4. To the non-XDA world TW

is

Android. And at $299/349 the N4 is $100/150 higher than a subsidized better spec'd phone via a carrier. And the 90% of the U.S. not using an MVNO could care less if their device is locked. The enthusiast community (us) make up 5% of device purchasers. What we want and what's commercially viable or important are two different things.

And the whole "AOSP is fantastic" thing is getting a bit old. Back in the days of single core ships, 512K of RAM, and overlays the size of a house AOKP and AOSP drastically improved device performance. As it stands the h/w is ahead of the s/w so any improvements in fluidity and transitions are measured in milliseconds. And there are a ton of usability features in TW, Sense, and the like that make devices easier to use than stock. Here's a list of TW features from the N2 that have nothing to do with the pen. So you'll get updates faster on a Nexus device but as it stands Samsung's JB wireless stacks work where AOSP is borked. AOSP isn't the slam dunk it used to be. And it's doubtful you'll see the dramatic enhancements we've seen from 2>3>4 in future Android versions simply because the OS is matured now. So it’s cool as enthusiasts to have some Nexus options but naked Android on more than a small percentage of shipping devices is a train that’s left the station.

The ability to turn off the capacitive button lights so if you're navigating or watching flash-based video in a browser they don't distract you.

Long pressing a function in the notification bar open that function. (EG: short press Wi-Fi = toggle, long press=open Wi-Fi settings) so you have quick access to most used settings no matter where you are in the UI or an app.

Customize which functions appear in the notification bar and reorder them.

Unlock the device via voice including separate commands to unlock via voice directly in to various apps.

Use voice to control the music player, take a picture, snooze or shut off the alarm, or accept or reject an incoming call.

Launch the camera while the device is locked by holding a finger on it and rotating it from vertical to horizontal.

Smart Stay to keep the device awake when looking at it and Smart Rotation to keep it at the same orientation as your eyes if you change position.

Music Hub subscription service with locker storage (matched) for your own music and the ability to download unlimited songs (while subscribed) to the device's SD card and have them all show up in the stock music player.

Music Square which determines the "mood" of all your stored music and allows you to instantly create playlists based on the mood of a song you're currently listening to.

S Voice to control a much broader list of functions by voice than what’s supported by Google Now and dial by name or number via BT including sending MMS and e-mail.

Quick Glance to see time, date, weather, battery life, missed calls/messages, and new e-mail by waving your hand over the device without unlocking it.

Customize your e-mail signature in the stock e-mail client including different fonts, colors, and graphics.

Direct call to automatically dial a number from an open contact, MMS, or e-mail message.

Palm touch to mute the device by covering it with your hand.

Driving mode to read incoming MMS and e-mail aloud.

And since Motorola is a mainstream high-volume manufacturer, to mayurolla’s point, I’d be willing to bet anyone here their new devices have an overlay because that’s what mainstream consumers (volume) dictates. The GN was available on the carriers at the same subsidized price as other overlayed devices and it only sold 750K units while the SGS2 and SGS3 sold in the tens of millions. That pretty much sums it up.