The new Samsung Infuse 4G will be the first Android devices to ship with the option for users to enable the downloading of third-party apps.
“Over the next few weeks, we will also roll out this capability to existing devices in our base for which an upgrade is possible. Users will not need to take any action as their phone will receive the update automatically,” read the statement.
The process called “sideloading” would allow Android users to load third-party apps prior to this change, but it was not easy. The inability for AT&T users to download apps from third-party sources has been a point of contention with Android users on AT&T’s network for some time now and appeared to come to a head in March when Amazon launched its application store.
The new functionality will come in the form of a firmware update. A spokesman for AT&T confirmed that users will not need to take any action as their phone will receive the update automatically.
The update provides the option for users to go into settings and allow third-party applications; if they do not change this feature, they will not be at risk from malicious third-party apps, according to a spokesman.