Hi Sverre
Yes, the "MSOLEDBSQL" DB Client is now Microsoft's current recommended SS connectivity mechanism - especially going forward. There are still DB connecti0on alternatives like ODBC for example that you can use but for SS 2022, both the OLEDB and SNC DB client drivers are now deprecated by MS.
If you stay in the Client / Server paradigm then yes, you will still need to install the appropriate SS DB Client software. That is no change from what you have been doing to deploy C/S Apps with PB releases from PowerSoft, Sybase, SAP and early Appeon PB releases. If you stay in that C/S paradigm - even in the latest PB 2022 R3 version - you would be required to install the DB client using the same deployment considerations you have been used to.
However, if you move to the new Native Cloud paradigm (aka PowerServer feature), then the data access and all related SS connectivity software to be installed and run is handled in the middle tier as your PB Apps are now processing as an N-Tier PB applications.
FYI: https://www.appeon.com/products/powerserver
PowerServer Native Cloud apps are still native PB App execution. Its just that the App delivery (including the PB runtime) is via a Web Server. Once the PB App is delivered to the App user from the Web Server, the PS App then connects to PowerServer (middle tier) where all the SS Data interactions are processed. Food for thought
Regards .. Chris