Android is open source (AOSP). You can run it without google (I recommend GrapheneOS). And there are multiple app providers like Play Store, Aurora, and F-Droid. Plus users can side-load.
The Google Play Store could potentially ban nostr apps, but Android couldn't, and we could always give instructions on how to load them.
Google is trying hard to lock users in with many tactics and none of the alternative stores has more than 1% of Google's market. If you want reach, you have to somehow play ball with Google.
If the app is controversial, it will not only be banned by Google but also by Samsung and all the other big brands.
FDroid is cool but very very niche. Probably more apps get installed from the provider's web page than from FDroid.
The discoverability provided by Play Store is essential to most app developers.
When Nostr Appstr app publishing through nostr?
This will be great for users who are already here, but less so for those who need it and haven't found it.
The problem is not everyone knows how to use a 3rs party OS. Plus rooting, unlocking bootloader can be challenging for some devices....
Another challenge would be tweaking graphene to be compatible with your device if it isn't. You'd still need technical people to go around that for you, ans right now the use of custom roms are kinder declining..
Actually, the primary challenge is bootloader unlock.. once you can achieve that and a custom recovery you can fly. Those 3rd party apps aren't looking for reach, they just want freedom for those who know their away around android.
