I love/hate Verizon/Google...

Long ago, I was on Cingular Wireless. They sucked. They had crappy coverage and even worse customer service. Then they bought AT&T Wireless in mid-2004 (rebranded back to AT&T Wireless in 2006). After the purchase, they sucked slightly less. Very slightly. So I jumped to Verizon Wireless in late 2004. And honestly haven't looked back.

I've now been with Verizon Wireless for about 9 years. I've renewed my contract multiple times, upgrading my phones along the way. I'm currently on Verizon's Share Everything plan with my Samsung Galaxy Nexus. They have excellent coverage and, despite a specific Verizon store I no longer frequent, they have excellent service. For this, I loved Verizon.

I've owned the GNex since early July 2012; right after Google announced Android version 4.1, aka "Jelly Bean". At the time, this *was* Google's premier AOSP phone. Google promised at Google I/O 2012 that "the Galaxy Nexus would be among the very first devices to receive the Jelly Bean updates." When I first got my Samsung Galaxy Nexus, it was fast and beautiful. My previous phone (a Motorola Droid X) was pathetic next to this one. The GNex had a bigger and higher resolution screen, a much faster processor and the OS was awesome. For this, I loved Google.

My GNex came with Android version 4.0, aka Ice Cream Sandwich. My GNex finally updated to Jelly Bean in late October, 3 months after Jelly Bean was released and 1 month after Sprint's Galaxy Nexus also received Jelly Bean (4.1). Now it's mid-February and I'm currently running Android version 4.1.1. Every other GNex in the wild has received 4 (!!!) more Android version updates and are currently on Android version 4.2.2. I've asked the Verizon store reps if they know when 4.2.2 will be pushed out. They don't. I've search Google for articles from the top Android blogs to see if they know. They don't. I've sent random inquiries to various Google and Samsung and Verizon sources to see if they know. And they ignore me.

Everyone knows that Verizon takes F-O-R-E-V-E-R to allow OS updates to their phones. And Google, they let their "premier" phone be left without any solid accessories (where's my smart desktop stand or car mount??) and *allowed* Verizon to nit-pick the Android OS updates into obscurity.

For this, I hate Verizon and Google.

Will I move to the Apple iPhone 5... or 6?? No. As pretty as the iPhone is, it is not for me. The UI on the iPhone is cumbersome for me and how I want/need a phone UI to function. Just... no.

Will I move to another cellular carrier?? T-Mobile, AT&T or Sprint?? No. Their coverage isn't quite as good as Verizon's and their customer support isn't as good. Both according to friends that use those carriers' services and support.

So what are my options/suggestions??

First, don't expect to get the "perfect phone". There is no "perfect phone". Not even the iPhone. (not even close). For example, the GNex's 5MP camera sucks.

Second, buy the newest phone possible when you get a new phone. The likelihood that you'll get more OS updates is significantly higher. And it'll take longer before it reaches EOL and gets no love.

Third, if there is any chance that you'll want certain accessories later, make sure they exist *now*. Just because it is their current "premier device" doesn't mean they won't drop it for another device next week.

So which carrier will I choose and what will be my next phone?

Verizon. Why? They suck less.

Android. Why? It's not an iPhone.

I really like the Motorola Razr MAXX HD but by the time I get a new phone (in a year), it will probably be EOL'd. Besides, Motorola Mobility is owned by Google now. [shutter]