Ars of course asks the important question: why is this necessary? Google's track record on Android security is pretty abysmal, and OEMs are even worse since they are so slow releasing patches (assuming they ever do).

I'm in the market for a new phone myself, and am tempted to go with one that Copperhead supports (currently only the Nexus 5X and 6P, but they say they'll support the Pixel soon). You can buy phones from them with the OS pre-installed, but they're ridiculously overpriced (the Pixel is over $1,000). I'm actually not that enamored with the Pixel, but being able to put this OS on may be worth it, especially once prices come down.