Earlier quoted context omitted.
You can't seriously give Apple shit for this and at the same time praise Google. iPhones have, pretty consistently since the 5 or so, received 5 or 6 years worth of OS updates since the phone's release whereas with Android phones you'll receive 2. Only after years of complaining is Google finally promising to support it for longer. And that doesn't cover Samsung, etc...
We can and should praise Google for improving things, and use their new strong points to push Apple into improving too. This isn't a debate about what company is better. The word "now" is used for Google's promises for a reason.
Over a decade of Nexus then Pixel devices being flashable has not moved any needle of Apple doing the same. Google promising 7 years is in line with Apple's 10 year track record of providing 6-8 years of updates, so it's more like Google aligning with Apple, not Google pushing Apple.
Still, a vague† promise in a blog post or keynote address is not going to fit the bill, at the very least it should be in the EULA or other contractually enforceable document, otherwise the promise is worth nothing.
Ideally I wish software would be treated as with e.g automotive or washing machine manufacturers, who in the EU have a legal requirement to provide parts for 10 years.
† I mean the promise is clearly worded but bears no weight, especially when pitted against Google's track record over the last decade of making grand announcements then puling the rug down the road.