[Nexus 6  General] nanofart:
Yep... AT&T will make Motorola prevent bootloader unlocking.

Here is a transcript of a chat session I had with AT&T (names changed to protect the well... people who had names.):

AT&T sales representatives are happy to assist you with your questions.

AT&T sales representatives will not have access to your personal account. This service is provided to you under AT&Ts Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

You are now chatting with Agent, an AT&T sales representative.

Agent: Welcome to AT&T online Sales support. How may I help you with placing your order today?

Me: Do you have an idea when you guys will have the nexus 6?

Me: (the phone, not the replicant from blade runner...)

Agent: Hello Me! i will be more than happy to give you more information about the Nexus 6. We do do currently have the release date or pricing for that device, but once we get that information we will definitely let our customers know.

Me: do do = "do not"?

Agent: I apologize, yes, I do not*

Me: Do you know if you are planning to leave it fairly stock or add bloaty at&t stuff?

Agent: I do believe that we will have these devices fully stocked in order for customers to be able to purchase this device with ease.

Me: um... "stock" as in a vanilla-plain android build, as supplied from motorola/google.

Me: Not "stock" as in "in-stock"

Agent: Thank you for that clarification. AT&T will have their apps pre downloaded onto the devices.

Me: ew... as system apps or uninstallable?

Agent: I currently have a Galaxy S4 with AT&T and the apps are non removable.

Me: they're still not "non-removable" but it takes a bit more work ;)

Me: so does that mean that instead of getting the OTA updates the day they come out from google, one would need to wait for AT&T to customize each OTA release?

Agent: There may be a way to remove the apps but I am unsure. Also, once your device has an update, you are able to update and not wait for AT&T approval.

Agent: The AT&T apps are Navigation, Storage locker, AT&T drive mode, Family map, etc.

Me: Not to start an argument, but not one of those apps provides nothing that native android apps don't provide. (Unless you count the need to pay for something that's already available for free as a benefit)

Agent: That is understandable. I often use Google maps versus AT&T navigation because that is pre downloaded on my device as well for free..

Me: I thought the at&t navigator and family map things were subscription-based.

Agent: Yes. They pre downloaded on your device, you are able to get a trial and then subscribe if you are interested in that service.

Me: Anyway, that argument aside... I'm not worried about carrier-unlocking as I'm planning to stick with AT&T, but do you know if AT&T will prevent bootloader-unlocking (something motorola provides for free unless prevented by the carrier...)

Agent: That is a great question. Give me one moment to look into that for you.

Agent: Thank you for your patience! AT&T does prevent the bootloader unlocking, but you are able to confirm this by contacting our Tech support department if you are a current customer or Telesales for new customers.

Me: wow.

Me: I was actually thinking (for a second) of buying through you guys.

Me: What's the point?

Me: I mean it's not carrier unlocking -- I'm not going somewhere else.

Me: If I'm the kind of person who unlocks a bootloader, I accept responsibility for my own support and won't be asking you why my sms doesn't work..

Me: TMO,USC,and sprint allow it.

Agent: Also, some devices manufacturers themselves have a bootloader unlock from the research that I have looked over in. But for the most part, AT&T does prevent it. I do apologize.

Me: What.. are you afraid I might be a happy customer?

Agent: I would love for you to be apart of our AT&T family. If there were a way to make sure that the device that you have is able to be use with the bootloader unlock I would make it happen in a heartbeat!

Me: It's not like on next I won't be paying full price.

Agent: That is true. It will ultimately be your device in the end.

Me: So... let's think this through... since it doesn't allow me to defect to a different carrier, you must be worried that I will somehow hurt my user experience...

Me: The reality is that people who are likely to want this will still do it in less-safe, unsanctioned ways.

Me: OR maybe just go to a different carrier.

Agent: That is totally understandable. I believe AT&T does it to make sure that you get the full experience safely. Hopefully they will one day allow this type of unlocked to be granted.

Me: hopefully for you I'll still be a customer...

Me: If I need to pay the full $650 for a device.... why pay you to get less

Me: (locked phone with bloatware)

Agent: I do hope that you will be an AT&T customer. We are a very good carrier, but we do have our own apps and have locks on our devices at this time.

Me: your device or mine?

Me: typically, when one purchases something, one assumes ownership.

Agent: All AT&T devices I apologize. I have them and other customers as well.

Me: I think you missed my point. If I buy something, I would hope that it would be mine after the purchase.

Me: If I buy from google, it's mine.

Me: If I buy from you for the same amount, it's yours.

Agent: Thank you for that clarification. And you are correct! Once purchased, one should have total ownership of their device, or anything that they purchase.

Me: So you agree with me and not your employer

Me: logic prevails!

Agent: Yes, I do believe everyone should be able to own their devices and be free to do as they wish. But, once deciding to go with any carrier you will have to follow the rules and policies.