The biggest difference I see is the speed. You're right, it doesn't make a difference from a technical point of view but it illustrates again just how much power they have over chrome - and thereby over the web: They can push a policy update to the bigger part of Chrome's userbase in 24 hours.

It should be entertaining when car makers use the same strategy: "Oh yeah, we have this system where everytime you turn the ignition, your car polls us and updates its assistant, motor, steering and airbag settings. Don't worry though, we mostly just use it for randomized tests and field trials."