I don't understand the Google's move. Google uses Android as a platform to collect virtually everyone's personal info and build the profile to benefit its ad business. If there is an extremely tiny chance that people (or a sizble population) may walk away from the platform, it's not worth the risk.
It's Google's response to the remedies required by the Antitrust act decision last August. The timing is explained by the US Supreme Court decision of Oct 6 to deny Google its request to pause implementation of said remedies.