The question then becomes, how big a chunk of the general public cares about a phone "now messed with by your carrier, no bloatware, no extra skins" etc.?
I think that most people who understand what that means would want it, but how many are really savvy enough understand?
> ... but how many are really savvy enough understand?
It doesn't matter! If they don't then Google's direct approach will be a commercial failure, and nobody is any worse off.
But remember that the people who write reviews, publish articles and are the recommender in their circle of friends and colleagues are more likely to care about this sort of thing.
I think that most people who understand what that means would want it, but how many are really savvy enough understand?