Amazon to Close Android App Store After Over a Decade

If you've been 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 cease operations on Android devices as of August 20th, 2023. Launched back in 2011, the Amazon Appstore managed to stay relevant for over a decade, which is quite a feat. However, this closure might not offer much solace to the developers and their dedicated user base.

According to the support page addressing this change, any Android apps previously installed via the Amazon Appstore may no longer receive updates or support. On a brighter note, the Amazon Appstore will continue to operate on Amazon's proprietary devices, such as Fire TV and Fire Tablets, ensuring that users of these devices can still access the service.

It's somewhat ironic that Amazon is pulling the plug on its Android app store at a time when alternative app stores are starting to gain ground. While it's understandable that Amazon may have struggled to make a significant impact in the app store market, it's a reminder that even large corporations can't always sustain every venture. Amazon's Appstore never quite became a household name, perhaps because it didn't introduce compelling incentives to attract users, unlike the Epic Games Store, which has successfully drawn in users with its free games program.

This development underscores the unpredictability of tech services, even those backed by major companies. If you're feeling down about this news, don't worry. There are plenty of exciting new mobile games to explore. Why not check out our list of the top five new mobile games to try this week?