Amazon to Close Android App Store After Over a Decade

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 shut down on Android devices on August 20th this year. Despite its launch back in 2011 and surviving over a decade, this closure may come as cold comfort to the developers and their fans who have been using the platform.

According to the support page, if you have Android apps installed from the Amazon Appstore, you can't rely on further updates or support. However, there's a silver lining: the Amazon Appstore will continue to be available on Amazon's own devices, such as Fire TV and Fire Tablets.

It's somewhat ironic that Amazon is pulling the plug at a time when alternative app stores are gaining popularity. While I don't necessarily blame them, Amazon's Appstore never quite became a household name. One reason for this could be that Amazon didn't offer enough incentives to attract users. For instance, the Epic Games Store has gained traction 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. But don't fret! If you're looking for new mobile games to try, why not check out our list of the top five new releases this week?