It seems like only yesterday that AT&T Android customers were outraged that they were limited to apps available only in the Android Market, or straight from AT&T. If a new company introduced an app available straight from its site, or even apps available exclusively from stores like Amazon, users were basically out of luck. The ability to sideload apps, or to install apps from outside or third-party sources, was pretty much locked down. Until now.
The Infuse 4G was the first phone that we noticed capable of sideloading right out of the box. Perhaps it was a sign of things to come as AT&T seems to be gearing up to update a select number of older Android devices so that they, too, will be able to install apps from other sources.
This is good news for Android users, and perhaps soon more devices will be supported, too. For now, it seems that only the Infuse 4G, HTC Aria and Samsung Captivate are supported — all Android 2.2 Froyo devices for those keeping track.
According to the leaked screenshot, the OTA, or over-the-air, push updates will start hitting devices on May 16. So if you own one of the aforementioned devices, keep your eyes peeled and let us know how it goes!
[Via: Android Central]