I don't think Google has used their might as a company well enough to convince the carriers it is their best interests to be more current with their phones' sof

I don't think Google has used their might as a company well enough to convince the carriers it is their best interests to be more current with their phones' software or in general to do what is best for the customer in order to ensure they keep coming back. Or for example, does Google know that the Verizon store employees in the midwest will try to sell you an iPhone even when you explicitly walk in and say you want the Galaxy Nexus? To use a cliche, that's the situation on the ground.