RIM says Android app ecosystem is a “cesspool,” but what if Google agreed?

RIM is quite correct that the way that apps are distributed under Android is particularly insecure and risky when compared to the Apple model.

Most people don't care about rooting or jailbreaking, they want a simple interface that lets them get their whack-a-mole app as easily as possible. Apple understands this well and has ensured that they're sharing in the income from the channel that they manage.

Google has a different model. They don't care about the apps, they just want people to keep searching through them. So it makes sense for them to "let the market decide" how best to distribute the apps. The problem is that this works for geeks, not for normal people.

The fundamental problem is that after years of training, people will click "Yes" on any terms that are presented to them. Sadly RIM is not the company to solve this problem and Google won't, so IOS has a bright few years ahead of it with minimal competition.

  The solution, according to RIM VP Alec Saunders is to remove
  sideloading of third-party apps, which RIM is going to do
  in an upcoming software update.

Yes, the solution is to annoy your customers of course.

Good comment, from the company that ships a market where most apps are just (paid !) links to websites.

This will never happen.