It's quite possible that there was no Pinky-and-the-Brain scheme involved here. The Google Apps are just that: Google's apps. Unlike the open source portions of Android, they are distributed under Google's terms. Maybe Kobo didn't feel like living up to them at first.

I bring that option up because the Vox is a very open device. It may not have offered Google Play, but side-loading Apps was easy and they even provided root access through ADB (i.e. no rooting required). They don't have to provide either, but they did. While I have yet to own an Android device that prevents side-loading, I have seen plenty where root access isn't the norm.

As for breakage, accidents happen. Since I'm always on the move and always reading on the move, accidents are more likely to happen in my case (i.e. you don't have to be clumsy to break something). I've had a Kindle break for no apparent reason, airport security drop my laptop, and I've personally dropped my Vox. The laptop and Vox survived with cosmetic damage, but that won't always be the case.