Comment by Yetanfou

True, the Play Store is the nexus of Android app distribution. The fact that it is not the only venue is a big advantage for both Android users as well as developers as it makes it impossible for a single party - be it Google or an entity pressuring Google into acting in a certain way - to keep applications from reaching users. Although only a small fraction of the total flow it is nevertheless significant in what it embodies: freedom from censorship.