>you can enable sideloading in a couple of minutes at most
How does that not fit your definition of "too easy"? If it can be disabled in minutes and any attempt to install an unauthorized APK takes you right to the screen, it seems completely pointless.
Taking users right to the screen in settings strikes me as a less-than-ideal decision—is that true in the most recent version of stock Android? I recall having to navigate there myself, but I could be wrong.
Regardless, I think there's a world of difference between "Tap an app to install and run" and "tap an app and move through several dialogue boxes, which include a scary security warning." It's not perfect, but it's leagues better than Apple's alternative...
How does that not fit your definition of "too easy"? If it can be disabled in minutes and any attempt to install an unauthorized APK takes you right to the screen, it seems completely pointless.