Google happens to be working hard at changing the OS update dynamic. They are taking over more core permissions and using their own app updates to do an end-around on slow carrier updates. See
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/...agging-android
I am still an Apple user and haven't tried android yet. But be careful about throwing stones. Have you tried deleting the built-in Stocks or Calculator apps, for example? You can't, at least not using the on-phone deletion mechanism. Those are both junk apps to me (they serve a purpose but I prefer better apps for each of those).