I think the problem is that in all versions of Android the stock browser is distributed with the OS. It's not an installed application that can be upgraded inde

I think the problem is that in all versions of Android the stock browser is distributed with the OS. It's not an installed application that can be upgraded independently. As I recall Google went through some pain to separate the GMail app from the OS so that it could be updated on its own schedule, and the pace of innovation in that app has increased. I would have liked to see them do the same for the browser app a long time ago, but in a way having Chrome as a separate app achieves the same goal going forward if it becomes the default.