Google is limiting Android to Play Store only

[outlander]

Doesn't surprise me, this has been coming for a while. If you use a degoogled device you can still install other apps. But that is a very small percentage of Android users and all that development will just fade away if they are blocked from the mainstream. There are viable smartphone options that work, but the majority of people will just stay under Google's thumb

 

[Nathan]

The apps on the Google Play Store are screened for malware, whereas apps on 3rd party app stores may carry virus/spyware code.

 

[outlander]

According to some sources Google doesn't inspect every app before allowing it on the Play Store. If a software developer has a long history with Google their software is just let right in without an official "inspection". This has resulted in serious issues more than once.

 

[MarciKS]

I generally only get my apps from the play store so it won't be an ordeal for me.