Google doesn't write the bloatware, but its actions allow bloatware to exist on android in a few ways, as far as I understand.
- Android has an open source version (that is, a version that is completely open source). Like you mentioned, this gives carriers and OEMs the freedom to do what they want, even fork and bloat.
- Android has a mixed license version, where you get the full experience of the Google Play store, Gmail, and so forth. Google has a lot more control over who it allows to use this version, since many of the components are not free software.
Silent Circle released the Blackphone it developed off a fork of Android. This policy has allowed for bloatware, yes, but it also allows for innovators to innovate unimpeded.
I have the choice to buy a phone without bloatware and I did. I don't know why others don't do the same and then blame the OS maker for allowing their open software to be open.
These policies also allow for cheaper phones to get into the hands of the less affluent. Not everyone can afford the new iPhone, and they would rather have a phone with a bit more bloatware if it cuts the cost of the phone down to something they can reasonably afford. I would consider that a noble endeavor on the part of Google. Instead of saying, "FUCK YOU CARRIERS/OEMS, YOU DO AS WE SAY!", it offered them a means of providing cheaper phones without decimating their bottom line. They can choose to strip out all the bloat and price it high or they can bloat it up and price it low, making up the cost from the recurring fees/ad rev those apps can generate.
The thing is, I have a choice as to what experience I want.
Well, I agree with most of your statement, however, in your scenario you only have a choice in what experience you want if you have the money to buy the unsubsidized phone- anyone else has the choice to buy the subsidized bloatware phone or do without (which is more choice than they would have if the subsidized phone did not exist...)
There's another option, root and load a custom Rom. Not only will the phone run leaner (and in theory faster) but it won't have the bloat. The only investment is your time. =]
There are no "two versions of Android". That's an unnecessary confusion of the situation.
There is Android, which is a complete open source operating system tailored for touchscreen devices. It is completely open source and in principle has no dependencies on any piece of propietary software to function. Android is not usually distributed with just its open source components, however.
There is Google Play Services. This a propietary set of applications and system services that interact with Google's cloud services. Since Google's cloud services are popular - most significantly the Google Play Store for Android apps - these services almost always come bundled with devices on the market. Android and Google Play Services together are also often called "Android" (even by Google itself) which is the cause of the confusion. There is a clear difference between the two, however.
Then there are further customizations in themeing, user interface components and applications made by vendors and carriers.
The problem of bloatware is that Google has only felt responsibility for Google Play Services; the other software on the system, including Android, was the responsibility of the carriers and the vendors. Android is developed by Google as an open source and popular foundation from which to provide its services - either from Android's web capabilities or from its bundled applications.
- Android has an open source version (that is, a version that is completely open source). Like you mentioned, this gives carriers and OEMs the freedom to do what they want, even fork and bloat.
- Android has a mixed license version, where you get the full experience of the Google Play store, Gmail, and so forth. Google has a lot more control over who it allows to use this version, since many of the components are not free software.