Play installs firmware?
"Nexus devices are the exception: they can install Google's firmware updates via the Play services"
Er, no. Not for my new Nexus 6P at least. It installs OS updates through the same OTA mechanism as any other Android phone. The difference between my 6P and anything else is that this comes from Google and not my carrier or device manufacturer.
You might be confusing it with the fact that Play now updates essential libraries and other large chunks of the OS as well as applications.
Device manufacturers are just as shit as carriers. My old Moto G got ONE OTA update (to a buggy version of Lollipop) the entire 2 years I had it.
I bought it because I thought Motorola was working with Google to provide updates and security. I was wrong. (EDIT: I also bought it because it was made in Ft Worth, Texas, and then Motorola closed that and moved the jobs overseas)
This is why I passed up the Moto X Pure Edition for the twice-as-expensive 6P.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
