Could this be why Google is pulling in the reins on Honeycomb?

Google recently made a decision to delay the release of the Android Honeycomb code to the open source community, claiming it wasn't ready. Many feel as if this is Google's attempt to rein in the "wild west" approach that developers and (mostly) the carriers have created. More control means more consistent user experience.  Just ask Apple.

But I would also argue that by moving to be less "open", Google may be attempting to improve the platform to attract the better third-party developers. Third-party Android apps are still seriously lacking in terms of quality. This is an advantage that Apple still enjoys to this day. The iOS App Store makes developers money. iOS customers are willing to pay for quality apps because there are more quality apps to choose from. To this day, it is still difficult to name an Android third-party "Must Have" exclusive app. There are several for iOS.

We are starting to see the effects of fragmentation on Android's mobile market. Could this be the reason Google is pulling in the reins?

Steve Jobs being way too kind to Android 3.0 Honeycomb.

If it's true that you're not really buying a tablet but an ecosystem, then what is it exactly that would convince a consumer to select a Honeycomb tablet instead of an iPad?

Number of native iPad apps in Apple's App Store = over 65,000.

Number of native apps that Steve Jobs credited for Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablets = up to 100.

Actual count (according to Justin Williams) = approx. 17.

One thing has become quite obvious -- iOS has become the premiere development platform in the mobile space.