I agree, this is what Google do. They change the game to suit and then play the new game well. In this case they wanted the mobile world to adopt an open, UNIX model OS with a Java stack not owned by Sun/Oracle. Job done. Let the games begin.
I think Google's strategy was to provide no-name handset manufacturers, without the clout to develop these proprietary services or make such deals, with a cheap platform that could browse the web and access Google services. It was a desperate attempt to avoid a world where all mobile services were carrier controlled.
In hindsight they actually needn't have bothered. Apple had sufficient leverage with the iPhone to avoid having to make carrier on-line service lock-in deals. Still, Google couldn't afford to risk that changing, or Apple locking in users to services of it's own.