As for the updates to flagship devices (including the Nexus phones), even though Google tries to get builds ready for all devices at the same time, operator approval varies from one operator to the other and from one device to the other. The 8-month rule of thumb doesn't apply to flagship devices, since all phases are designed to happen at the same time for those, but there's still a bit of operator certification and approval at the end that can't overlap with anything else, and that's what explains the slight device-to-device variance even for flagship devices.
Not really. Apple can withhold iPhones from carriers if they want.
At best, Google could withhold Nexus phones, they can't withhold Android. Some OEM would always be willing to play ball. I suspect even the compatibility requirements and Google apps agreements wouldn't help. Everything I've heard is that Google certifies phones - not phone/carrier bundles (and, at least in the GSM world, it is hard to see how they could do otherwise).
The reason Android is so successful on handsets is because Google made a conscious decision to sell their soul to the carriers to get there. They can try and gradually undo that by purchasing their own manufacturer... But it's going to take a while.
Comments
It appears that software updates for even Nexus devices have to undergo some sort of carrier approval.
See Google employee Jean-Baptiste Queru's Google+ post and follow-up comments on this topic: https://plus.google.com/112218872649456413744/posts/LG8VK9NN...
Relevant snippet below:
As for the updates to flagship devices (including the Nexus phones), even though Google tries to get builds ready for all devices at the same time, operator approval varies from one operator to the other and from one device to the other. The 8-month rule of thumb doesn't apply to flagship devices, since all phases are designed to happen at the same time for those, but there's still a bit of operator certification and approval at the end that can't overlap with anything else, and that's what explains the slight device-to-device variance even for flagship devices.
Was Apple not able to pave the way for a streamlined system to handle this?
If Apple could manage it then Google should be able to, at least if they tried properly.
Not really. Apple can withhold iPhones from carriers if they want.
At best, Google could withhold Nexus phones, they can't withhold Android. Some OEM would always be willing to play ball. I suspect even the compatibility requirements and Google apps agreements wouldn't help. Everything I've heard is that Google certifies phones - not phone/carrier bundles (and, at least in the GSM world, it is hard to see how they could do otherwise).
The reason Android is so successful on handsets is because Google made a conscious decision to sell their soul to the carriers to get there. They can try and gradually undo that by purchasing their own manufacturer... But it's going to take a while.