If you're a fan of the Amazon Appstore on Android, brace yourself for some disappointing news. As reported by TechCrunch, Amazon has officially notified developers that the store will be closing its doors on Android devices come August 20th this year. Launched back in 2011, the Amazon Appstore's run of over a decade is commendable, yet this closure might leave developers and users feeling a bit chilly.
According to the support page dedicated to this matter, if you have Android apps installed from the Amazon Appstore, their future is uncertain. This likely means no further updates or support. However, there's a silver lining: the Amazon Appstore will continue to operate on Amazon's own devices, such as the Fire TV and Fire Tablet.
It's somewhat ironic that Amazon is pulling the plug just as alternative app stores are beginning to gain momentum. It's hard to fault them entirely, though, as the Amazon Appstore never quite became a household name. The reasons for this are multifaceted, but primarily, Amazon failed to offer compelling incentives to attract users. For instance, the Epic Games Store has successfully drawn in users with its free games program.
This development serves as a reminder that even the backing of a major corporation doesn't guarantee longevity. If you're feeling down about this news, don't despair. Why not explore some exciting new releases? Check out our list of the top five new mobile games to try this week for some fresh gaming experiences.
