Earlier today, Google finally answered my wishes for the week. Google finally made the Nexus 5 the real deal. They didn't just announce the handset, either. Nope, this year they took the wrappings of the Nexus 5 at the same time they gave all of us the ability to buy one. And I'm sure there are definitely quite a lot of people out there buying one.

Indeed. As of the time of this writing, the 16GB black Nexus 5 is sold out. You can no longer buy it, but you can certainly add it to your "Wishlist" if you want. Or, you can pick up the 16GB white Nexus 5 if you want. Or if you need more memory, the black and white 32GB options are still available, too.

The Nexus 5 is one of the most talked about devices to date, for quite a few reasons.

First and foremost, it's the simple fact that the Nexus 5, built by LG, is a direct sequel more or less to the previous year's design: the Nexus 4. Made from the same manufacturer, they're literally using the previous versions as a stepping stone to get plenty of praise and attention this year. And rightfully so, mind you. The Nexus 4 was a great device, even if it was missing LTE-connectivity.

(The Nexus 5 doesn't make that mistake.)

The other reason the N5 is so hyped? Because it's been on the leak and rumors circuit for a little while now, and while on its time there we've seen the device leaked more often than was probably healthy. We saw the box, the phone, videos of the software, and we got to watch it all on a regular basis before Google made it official.

So, now that the Nexus 5 is here, we got a lot of the rumors confirmed, and some of them stamped out. For instance, we know that as far as major wireless carriers go, the Nexus 5 will work on all of them -- except Verizon. Yep, no Big Red for the Nexus 5. And that got me thinking: is it ever viable to actually switch carriers?

I hear some people talking about it, and I hear others make promises that "one day I'll do it." For whatever reason they either don't, or just forget about it, or change their minds. Whatever the case, it's at device launches like this that I can't help but wonder about it. Especially when we're dealing with a device like the Nexus 5.

Why the Nexus 5? Sure, it's got a lot of attention as of late, but it certainly won't see the same sales or focus as other high-end devices that reach the market. I wonder about the Nexus 5 because it's sold off-contract, and for a price that's quite amazing for what you're getting. At $499 for the 32GB option, and with all the specs shoved inside it, it blows the competition away.

Which is why I can't help but wonder if the Nexus 5 is the device, above all other devices, to make potential customers switch carriers to get their hands on it. Even if that means they jump from their big carrier to something pre-paid, or just drop the contracts altogether, the Nexus 5 is like a gateway to that potential life. And with it being so cheap, it could make it easier than ever before.

So that's why I'm curious. And that's why the Nexus 5 is the focal point of the switch, but I'm actually answering at a general scale. Is it ever viable for you to switch your carrier? And if so, have you done it yet, or do you plan to? And if so, why and when? If not, tell me why you're choosing to stay with your carrier, even if there are devices out there you can't get.