[pjmlp]

For sure Google can do it, what would they do, sell handsets with their own OS, based on a fork from GNU/Linux?

It has worked quite well for those that tried.

[majewsky]

What would they do? Sell handsets with a years-old Android, of course. Experience shows that the average customer doesn't give a shit about Android versions.

[pjmlp]

Which in such scenario wouldn't be able to talk to Google Play Service servers any longer, if Google was actually serious about doing it.