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.
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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.