If you're a fan of the Amazon Appstore for Android, we've got some unfortunate news for you. According to a report by TechCrunch, Amazon has announced that it will be shutting down its Android app store on August 20th this year. This decision marks the end of a journey that began back in 2011, which is quite an impressive run. However, for the many developers and their fans who have been actively using the platform, this news might be little consolation.
According to the support page, if you have Android apps installed from the Amazon Appstore, there's no guarantee of continued updates or support post-shutdown. On a brighter note, the Amazon Appstore will continue to be available on Amazon's own devices, such as Fire TV and Fire Tablets, ensuring that users of these devices can still access their favorite apps.
Interestingly, this move comes at a time when alternative app stores are gaining traction. Yet, Amazon has decided to step back from the broader Android market. It's not surprising, considering that the Amazon Appstore never quite became a household name. This can be attributed to various factors, including a lack of compelling incentives to attract users. For instance, the Epic Games Store, which launched more recently, has successfully drawn in users with its free games program.
This closure serves as a reminder that even with the backing of a major corporation, longevity isn't guaranteed. If you're feeling down about this news, don't fret. There are plenty of other great new releases to explore. Why not check out some of the top five new mobile games we've listed for this week?