Not long after last Friday’s launch of the Amazon AppStore for Android and subsequent blockade of AT&T customers, AT&T has confirmed that it is indeed working with Amazon to allow AT&T customers to access the third-party storefront.
The recent change of stance from AT&T is a welcome change from its previous anti-3rd party app stance on Android, even going as far as disabling sideloading and forcing customers to use cumbersome workarounds to load non Market apps, as AT&T forces all branded devices to use the Android Market.
The reasoning given by AT&T for the third-party blockade and subsequent nixing of sideloading of apps is one of security concerns and customer protection, but the concerns ring hollow in the face of previous anti-enthusiast practices instigated by the carrier, such as the forced tethering plan debacle on all rooted smart devices.
