The news is interesting and it demonstrates that Google is aware of and believes the issue is important.

But it's not likely to help customers of (other) existing handsets. The carrier branded phones aren't likely to see updates to the current OS version, let alone the next couple that will bring this separation of apps/features. Nexus One users are still about the only Android users sitting pretty. Most other handset owners are unfortunately going to need to upgrade to new handsets (which aren't yet available - with the exception of the Nexus One of course).