[rmc]

Having been shown the way by Apple, I expect Google to shortly do the same thing, adding automated backup, synchronization and migration to Android and Chrome.

Eh, this is already happening. You can use an Android phone entirely without needing to use a desktop machine. You install apps over the air, no desktop needed. You register the phone over the air, no desktop needed. Your contacts and stuff are synced over the air, no desktop required.