Android Fragmentation. It Only Hurts You.

We also talked about OEMs' perennial press to skin the operating system — a trend that looks poised to continue in Android 4.0 — which developed into a full-blown conversation about the conflict between the mythical "stock Android device" and the realities of business between manufacturers like Motorola and carriers. "Verizon and AT&T don't want seven stock ICS devices on their shelves," he said, insisting that he "has to make money" and that there simply isn't a way to profit on a device that isn't differentiated. "The vast majority of the changes we make to the OS are to meet the requirements that carriers have." - The Verge (emphasis mine)

This was a pretty stunning statement for Motorola's Sanjay Jha to make. What he is basically saying here is that if they don't appeal to the carriers then they don't get retail space. 

That's sort of a big deal.

This also simultaneously throws out all the talk that fragmentation is actually good for the consumer because it gives us "choice." 

If we come back to reality, this is simply business. Carriers want continued control of the consumer experience, and if carriers have it their way, Apple will be the only device maker that retains an exception to that rule.

Motorola needs to make money (as Sanjay noted), and they are willing to degrade their devices to meet carrier wishes in order to make quarterly profits.

The only person this negatively affects? You as a consumer. Funny how that works.