If you're a fan of the Amazon Appstore on Android, I've got some unfortunate news for you. As reported by TechCrunch, Amazon has sent out a notice to developers announcing that the store will be shut down on Android devices on August 20th this year. The Amazon Appstore, which launched back in 2011, managed to last over a decade, but this closure might be cold comfort for the many developers and their fans who have relied on it.
According to the support page, if you have Android apps installed from the Amazon Appstore, you won't be guaranteed further updates or support. However, the service will continue to be available on Amazon's proprietary devices such as Fire TV and Fire Tablets.
It's somewhat ironic that Amazon is pulling the plug on its Android app store at a time when alternative app stores are gaining traction. While I don't necessarily blame Amazon, it's clear they haven't become a household name in the app store market. The reasons for this are varied, but a significant factor is that Amazon hasn't offered compelling incentives to attract users, unlike the Epic Games Store, which has successfully drawn in users with its free games program.
This closure serves as a reminder that even with the backing of a major company, longevity isn't guaranteed. However, there's no need to worry. If you're looking for great new releases, why not check out some of the top five new mobile games we've listed for you to try this week?