Luis Enrique León's List: Android

here in the U.S., carriers decide what software is pushed to handsets on their network. A notable exception to that practice is Google’s own Nexus One which accepts software updates directly from Google — cutting the carrier out of such a role.

“Customizations” operators make to their version of Android that might prevent some apps from running (like the Motorola Backflip not allowing non-Android Store apps)