I can only speak for mobile Java applications, and they definitely can be installed over the air: type URL of app or browse to it in the phone's browser, install.
I also don't see how having only one store is an advantage. There have been no good stores for mobile applications, that is true. But that seems independent from the just one store problem. If there was one trustworthy store for applications, the other bad stores would be irrelevant.
It also remains to be seen how good the iPhone Appstore will really be. Why should it be better than the other stores for mobile applications out there?
Also, wasn't there a store for Palm Pilot applications from Palm Computing back in the day?
It depends on the store. Actually you could program your own store and get paid VERY easily (if you stick to paid SMS as payments).
I am not claiming that there are any good stores for mobile apps. I am not sure if Apple's store is good, either. What is supposed to make it good? If they have thousands of applications on there, it might become impractical?
"What is supposed to make it good? If they have thousands of applications on there, it might become impractical?"
I think their experience with iTunes will help out here. The interface from the phone is of course different, but people have been using iTunes to navigate the huge sea of music content to put them at the #2 spot for music vendor.
We will see, but I suspect the market is very different? I have never used iTunes to browse music. Do people actually discover music on iTunes, or do they just go there for music they already know they want?
I also don't see how having only one store is an advantage. There have been no good stores for mobile applications, that is true. But that seems independent from the just one store problem. If there was one trustworthy store for applications, the other bad stores would be irrelevant.
It also remains to be seen how good the iPhone Appstore will really be. Why should it be better than the other stores for mobile applications out there?
Also, wasn't there a store for Palm Pilot applications from Palm Computing back in the day?