Wasn't Google ordered by courts to low third party app stores? So more freedom?

There have been third party app stores on Android pretty much forever.

Including app stores installed out of the box on GMS certified devices like the Samsung Galaxy Store (alongside the Play Store).

It just means they will be easier to install via the Play Store without sideloading (making other commercial stores more attractive but not really my cup of tea), and some minor API changes (although auto updating was added even before the ruling so not sure what else there might be).

Personally I'm not concerned about the changes to sideloading since it's a one time mild inconvenience. So I struggle to understand how going to iOS in protest (which doesn't allow persistent sideloading at all without workarounds) makes any sense whatsoever.

Google's original plan would have been really bad, but the new approach is a complete non-issue for me.