I like the simplicity of the App Manager - the idea of merging it into an OVI-based program makes me shudder (blech!).

I think the App Manager is perfectly fine the way it is.

However, what could be done is to create a new application that can merge the two "systems" together. You would only need to use a single application to view OVI and "free" content - that's fine. Nokia can market that anyway they like.

But leave the existing App Manager well alone - this is a fundemental building block.

Ubuntu seems to do well with two installer apps. There is an application on the main menu that allows you to install softrware.
The other installer is "synaptic" and this is buried in the "Administration" menu.

You can have one "user-visible" application manager that encompasses everything the other installer can be "hidden" away further in the ui.