Now that WordPress 2.5 support plugins updating seamlessy, I think the next step is a native browse/download interface for plugins hosted in this Extend area.

All that we need is a WordPress Extend API, maybe via XML-RPC, in order to browse available plugin (maybe only the ones compatible with the used version of WordPress). The FTP filesystem class would be powerful enough to deal with the download.

I have this idea, so I’ve submitted it to WordPress Extend Ideas (yes, another way to be a part of the community). Please: if you like it, go rate it!