I just don't get why anyone would hold android up as an example of success, given the comments in the following thread.

The gap between expectations & execution on android is tremendous. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7053108

The comparison isn't between "what Android could be under Google" and "what Android is under Google".

The comparison is between "what Android could be as an independent company" and "what Android is under Google".

I think ultimately Android is doing a lot better for a lot more people than it would have had it remained independent. I'm also having a hard time imagining anyone else that could've acquired them and achieved substantially better results (see: Microsoft's handling of the Danger acquisition).