After about 5 days with 4.03 ICS - it is like day and night with the airpad, and a big part is google play. I know others have said the apps are available if you look hard enough - but the effort needed to find these other apps (which may be outdated) compared to using Google Play - is rediculous.
Net having Google Play as part of the ICS upgrade is like selling a new car with 3 tires. I will probably still move - just not as well.