The App Store model and the "free to install" model are not incompatible. The App Store is hugely convenient, and makes it dead simple to install and pay for s

The App Store model and the "free to install" model are not incompatible. The App Store is hugely convenient, and makes it dead simple to install and pay for software. The part of the App Store that doesn't involve restrictive policies is a win. There is no reason that a sponsored App Store and the freedom to install whatever you want cannot coexist. In a magical parallel universe where Apple encouraged Cydia, that's exactly what we would have: App Store as package manager with a user-friendly front end and payment infrastructure.