The hardware fragmentation is largely caused by the desire to appeal to different audiences via cost, value add, innovation, etc. The software fragmentation is due to the same. Where Google went wrong is not in creating a open source platform – it is in not taking more control over how manufacturers can differentiate. GMS is one way Google can manage their services. Providing a compelling reason to be consistent in the underlying platform whilst allowing differentiation is the balance they are trying feverishly to achieve without much success today, I must add.