"Are they still denying us basic functionality that's been part of smartphone USB ports since MHL in 2011 for the express purpose of making us buy crap we don't want?"
You're the only person I've heard of using HDMI out of their cell phone USB port. So, I can definitely see a vendor deciding not to provide it and not pay a license for that technology on every handset they sell.
Every Samsung S Series phone has Samsung Dex which allows you to connect your phone to a TV or monitor via HDMI and have a full desktop OS experience. It's pretty great and they've been offering it for years now. You can also connect iPhones to TVs and monitors with the Apple A/V adapter.
If google wants to make phones people buy, they should at least match their competitors features.
"Are they still denying us basic functionality that's been part of smartphone USB ports since MHL in 2011 for the express purpose of making us buy crap we don't want?"