This is the MAIN reason the last 2 smartphones I've purchased have been bought via Amazon or direct from the manufacturer. Granted, Dell had no clue how to advertise the Streak, but, even with 2.2.2 is was a good device. I bought my non branded Note via Amazon Germany last December, because I suspected from past instances, that at&t doesn't give a hoot about updating any of its carrier branded devices, save for the iJunk. Not to mention, 99% of the time, if you purchase a carrier device, it will come with bloatware & have features locked out.
It's time for carriers to just be a pipe, and allow anyone to purchase any phone, that works with their network, but the "fat dumb & happy" people of the USA, think you can get a "bargin" with a 50 dollar phone, not realizing that after the 2 year contract, they have spent well over what a full retail price phone would cost, and use something like straight talk.