google is worse than microsoft when it comes to web control.

the only reason for this is so they can decouple the browser from the system, so they can update the browser faster.

or do you think they like that all those pre 4.1 devices (90%+) cant run their tracking-cookie-substitute or whatever?

Decoupling an app from the OS to update it faster is the reason they pulled the YouTube app from being shipped with iOS.

The YouTube app that was being shipped in iOS previously was written by Apple, not Google. Google's YouTube app was never bundled with iOS.

If that were the case, wouldn't they also not ship it with Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, Google Calendar, etc.

They don't. OEMs have to license those as well. This is making the browser more like those services on Android, not less.