How are Google apps integrated?

Hi all. First-time poster here. I just got a Motorola Atrix 4G last Friday. It replaces my old iPhone 3G (non-S). I'm loving it so far, though I do miss some things about the iPhone. I'm waiting on the announcement and specs for the iPhone 5 to decide whether I'm keeping this.

My question is about Google integration. I was impressed that the phone automatically brought in all my Contacts from Google, but I'm a bit confused about how to find/use other Google apps. I did figure out that the provided app "Calendar" is in fact the Google calendar, though it's functionality seems to leave something to be desired. However, the "Tasks" app does *not* seem to be Google Tasks. This is just one example.

I guess since the OS is owned by Google I was expecting full integration. It's further confusing because those apps which *are* integrated aren't necessarily labeled as such (i.e., the calendar app isn't called "Google Calendar," just "Calendar." So following that convention, why should I not expect Tasks to be Google Tasks?).

I am most surprised to find that there is no Chrome Browser for Android. I had figured that would be a given. Though Dolphin is so far serving me well (posting this via the phone through Dolphin right now in fact.)

So how does this work? Are there separate apps that should be downloaded for each Google app, or at least the "major" ones (it turns out there is a Gmail app)? Or do I just use each app as best I can through a browser? This is basically what I had to do with the iPhone. With Google Docs for instance.

Took me a little while to figure out that the "Maps" is in fact Google Maps (why not call it Google Maps, or at least give it a Google icon?)

I hope you can make sense of and find a question in these ramblings. I really am enjoying the phone thus far. The iPhone 5's specs are going to have to be awfully impressive to make me consider parting with the Atrix.

 

Thanks. I'll just learn as I go, I guess. Gonna give that Astrid a try ...

-abs