Amazon to shutter its app store on Android after more than ten years on mobile

If you're a fan of the Amazon Appstore for Android, I have 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.

It's impressive that the Amazon Appstore, which launched back in 2011, managed to operate for over a decade. However, this news is likely cold comfort for the many developers currently publishing on the store and their fans.

According to the support page, if you have Android apps installed from the Amazon Appstore, their continued functionality isn't guaranteed. This likely means you can't rely on further updates or support. However, the Amazon Appstore will remain available on the company's proprietary devices such as the Fire TV and Fire Tablet.

It's ironic that, at a time when alternative app stores seem to be gaining traction, Amazon is pulling out. I don't necessarily blame them, though, as they've scarcely become a household name in the app store market. The reasons for this are varied, but a key factor is that Amazon hasn't offered compelling reasons for users to choose their platform. For example, the Epic Games Store, which recently launched, has attracted users with its free games program.

This situation serves as a reminder that even with the backing of a major company, there's no guarantee of longevity. However, there's no need to worry. If you're looking for great new releases, why not explore some of the top five new mobile games we've listed for this week?