Providing a native suite of apps and functionally for a mobile device by it's manufacture has been a core part of iOS since the beginning. Safari for web browsing, itunes for listening to music, and recently SIRI for voice activated features.
But lately it seems like Google might be overtaking some of the core apps provided in iOS with their own. The recent release of the new Google Maps app for iOS for example, went to #7 in the app store within hours of it's release. Why? Because users are looking for alternatives to core iOS apps that don't offer enough functionality, and Google's suite of apps for searching, mail retrieval, maps, and more, are there to be downloaded for free.
While Google and Apple fight to attract users it seems Google has a a secret weapon Apple doesn't - a suite of apps that can be put on either platform..