You are right, Ed, the tablet needs the Market. I have been hearing rumors lately that Google is going to create a special market for tablets, but cannot verify it. Let's hope so.
I have no doubt that the reason we are not seeing real iPad competitors so far is for exactly this reason. However, didn't Motorola just buy out a company that will allow them to create their own market, and say KMA to Google? I am sure that is exactly what they plan to do with it.
In the mean time, all of the apps I have looked at in the Market have websites you can go to and download the .apk's. It isn't any more difficult than installing a program on Windows or whatever from the internet. As soon as the file finishes downloading Android asks you what you want to do with it.
I hear where you are coming from, and I agree, but Google wants control over Android to make as much money as possible. Maybe the OS is free, but like you said, the proprietary parts of Google Android are copyrighted, and you can't just do what you want with them. Maybe Google should allow the Market on tablets for a flat fee per unit? I think $5 or even $10 would be worth it for the convenience, on a $150+ device that doesn't seem outrageous to me. Just a thought.
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