I don't think that'll happen again...IIRC, wasn't Verizon ordered to open up their phones to allow for Google Wallet to be used on it? I, too, remember having to sideload the "bootlegged" APKs on my Galaxy Nexus...until VZW loosened their grasp and allowed it to be legitimately downloaded from the Play Store.
Good ol' Buzz...yeah, I remember that too. I think I tried using it once but didn't see the value. I don't use G+ a whole lot but it does seem better than Buzz was.
One thing I do like about Google...they're not afraid to try stuff. Throw it out there and see how it fares amongst the masses. While many may hate on it, it's still cool of them to try it out. They can get an idea for what the people want.
Actually Google bought Softcard which was the carriers combined card service. I am hoping VZW leaves it alone but my feeling is big red is still working on it. Just this time around they may probably spend more time on developing it, as well as benefit from how far the technology has come. With them being the largest carrier they know that 80% of (non iPhone) smartphone users will not bother trying to go through the headache or trying to sideload another app and will just use it. Not saying iPhone users are smarter, just Apple is not going tolerate VZW mucking up their software like android manufacturers will.
Then again, VZW could have given up all together and decide to leave the pay to the respective manufacturers and concentrate on making money off of their service.