The App Store model and the "free to install" model are not incompatible.<p>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.