In an AndroidPolice exclusive, a tipster has provided us reliable information that Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google (GOOG), has recently become an investor in the 3rd party mobile app distributor PocketGear. What does this mean? It seems most likely that Schmidt, and perhaps Google itself, are looking to see if PocketGear can provide a suitable distribution platform for Android apps. It looks to be classic Google strategy; invest early, foster growth, and if all goes well, acquire. While Schmidt and Google itself are not entities of completely parallel financial interests, Schmidt is the man in charge, and it is his own intuition that helps to guide Google as a company. Thus, it would not be the biggest leap in the world to say that what interests Schmidt’s tech portfolio, probably also interests Google’s.

User complaints about the quality of content control on the Android Market have been around since day one, and Google has done little to tame the three-headed beast the Android Market has inarguably become. Clearly, the task of developing an entirely new app distribution platform is something the Android team, presumably now chipping away at the next release of the Android OS dubbed “Gingerbread,” cannot devote massive resources to. Google’s best bet is to carefully eye these 3rd party app distributors and, as it seems Schmidt has done, cherry pick candidates for investment. Only time will tell if Schmidt is serious about PocketGear, but the very fact that he is interested in such a company is probably good news for Android users.

The source? An official PocketGear e-mail sent out to application developers..