That theoretical leverage only exists because of Android's ubiquity which it has because of the handset makers. We have no idea how long the contracts that stip

That theoretical leverage only exists because of Android's ubiquity which it has because of the handset makers. We have no idea how long the contracts that stipulate that handset makers control updates is valid for but it's safe to assume that they are still valid today because the update/security fragmentation it creates is bad for everyone except handset makers. No doubt it's something that handset makers will hold onto for as long as possible because a lack of updates sells new phones. Google is slowly breaking up the OS into applications that it can distribute in the app store which smells a lot like someone trying to get around a contractual obligation using a technicality. There are legal agreements between Google and handset makers that can't simply be dissolved by threatening to revoke access to the app store.