Why does the iphone lack basic setting apps?

I recently switched from an Android Incredible to an Iphone 3. The Android was not as stable as the Iphone but the platform had some very useful utility apps - namely, there were (many) apps that would allow me to adjust the screen brightness from the home screen, which I need to do regularly. Incidentally, the auto brightness really worked on the Android and seems to do nothing on the Iphone. Also, there was an app to show the state of and quickly cycle the ringer between off, on, & vibrate. (I am constantly forgetting to turn back on my ringer switch and it's odd to me that there is no indication on the screen of its state.) Beyond that generally, the Android seemed to have much more of these types of practical utilities. My question is, from a developer perspective, is there a reason that Iphone apps seem to skew toward 'soft' or 'fun' applications and lack such basic utilities? Or is it just that Iphone doesn't allow developers to access such settings?