If you're a fan of the Amazon Appstore for 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 shuttered on Android devices on August 20th this year. Despite the Amazon Appstore's impressive run since its launch back in 2011, this marks the end of an era for Android users.
For the myriad of developers currently publishing on the store and their fans, this news might be cold comfort. However, according to the support page, if you have Android apps installed from the store, these won't be guaranteed for further updates or support. On the brighter side, the Amazon Appstore will continue to be available on the company's proprietary devices such as the Fire TV and Fire Tablet.
It's quite ironic that, at a time when alternative app stores seem to be gaining traction, Amazon is stepping back. While it's understandable given that the Amazon Appstore hasn't quite become a household name, it's still a significant move. Amazon's lack of unique offerings to attract users, in contrast to initiatives like the Epic Games Store's free games program, might have contributed to this decision.
This development serves as a reminder that even with the backing of a major company, longevity isn't guaranteed. However, there's no need to fret. If you're looking for great new releases, why not explore some of the top five new mobile games we've listed for you to try this week?
