We've no way of knowing if this is still true, but at the time of the Skyhook case shipping Google apps was part of the contracts between OEMs and carriers; it

We've no way of knowing if this is still true, but at the time of the Skyhook case shipping Google apps was part of the contracts between OEMs and carriers; it doesn't really matter if there's suitable alternatives if you're legally obligated to provide Google's apps (which in turn allows Google a great deal of control over what else you can ship). EDIT: also posted upthread; a breakdown of the Google Apps licenses as seen from the Skyhook case http://www.theverge.com/2011/05/12/google-android-skyhook-lawsuit-motorola-samsung/ http://www.theverge.com/2011/05/12/google-android-skyhook-la...