Except, it shouldn't take work!.. Like - with cell phones.

Until recently, I had no idea that manufacturers actually PAY Google to have the services on Android... Talk about idiocy.

It doesn't seem like idiocy to gain access to the largest application ecosystem available for their product.

I mean, you _could_ go the amazon route, but how's that working out for them? Their mobile platform is not exactly flourishing. An Android device without Google Apps simply isn't going to sell in the millions.