It’s no secret that Verizon hates stock Android. If you need proof, just look at their marketing. How many Verizon advertisements or commercials have you seen for the Galaxy Nexus? Exactly. Verizon doesn’t want its customers to be happy. Why would Verizon want its customers buying a device with a stock experience, quick updates and no bloatware? On the other hand, you’ll see an onslaught of advertisements, commercials, etc. for the DROID RAZR line — a device that has over 20 pre-installed bloatware applications (for your convenience of course).

When Google bought Motorola Mobility, it gave Android users hope that we would finally see a Motorola device with a stock experience (other than a XOOM) and less bloat. Unfortunately, this hasn’t happened. But why not? Motorola points the finger at Verizon, but I think that’s a bunch of malarkey.

Rick Osterloh, Motorola Senior Vice President, Product at Motorola Mobility was chatting it up with reporters last night about Motorola’s plans for the future and he had this to say in regards to stock Android:

Going forward, we’re going to try to be as close to the base as we can be, because we think that’s the right thing for users. We think users also want fast upgrades and upgrades for their phones over the long haul, so we’re going to be focus on that as well. It’s a little bit different than what a lot of OEMs are doing and certainly what Motorola did in the past, but going forward that’s going to be our strategy.

When pressed further, he all but blamed Verizon:

We are going to have to do some customization. Our partners sometimes want customizations. Our interest is to make it as close to Android as possible and generally we negotiate somewhere in the middle.

While many are applauding them for their effort to bring about faster updates, I am not. I think it’s ridiculous that Google lets Verizon call the shots on everything from customization to outright refusing to allow apps such as Google Wallet.

There’s absolutely no excuse for this. If Apple can get carriers to bend to their will, then there’s no reason why Google can’t. I pass the blame entirely to Google. If they feel the stock experience is better for users, then they should have the right to sell a stock Motorola device. If Verizon doesn’t want to carry it, then the hell with them.

Motorola should give Verizon the DROID it wants, but they should also give users the Android they want. Simply sell a stock Android device via the Play Store and everybody wins.

Google needs to grow a pair and stop letting Verizon bastardize its product for the sake of profits. What customers want is a priority that’s last on Verizon’s list, but it shouldn’t be on Google’s.

• ViaThe Verge