Ah, when I googled it, the first page only had results related to the Ubuntu announcement, so I wasn't aware. That confirms my suspicions though.
I know it may not be entirely rational, but because of that, it feels like I'm buying into a fragmented device line. Like when buying an Android phone or Windows computer, you have to research brands and be careful you don't get a device that some crappy OEM filled with crapware or bugs/incompatibilities in the hardware. Like BQ will have more overall control over the device experience than Ubuntu.
>But Google did, in fact, sell other devices much like you describe, though they were called "Play Edition" (running a non-customised stock Google Android).
Yep, and I personally hated that convention, it's the OEM and Google admitting "Our device is actually much better, when you remove our custom modifications". It also didn't do very well (but that may have just been because of the prices of Play Edition devices).
The Nexus 6P is not available in another edition. But Google did, in fact, sell other devices much like you describe, though they were called "Play Edition" (running a non-customised stock Google Android).