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, brace yourself for some disappointing news. According to a report from TechCrunch, Amazon has officially announced that it will be closing down its Android app store on August 20th of this year. This decision marks the end of an era for a service that has been operational since its launch back in 2011.

Despite the longevity of over a decade, the closure might not bring much solace to developers and their dedicated user base who have relied on the platform. The support page clarifies that while apps installed from the Amazon Appstore on Android devices won't receive further updates or guaranteed support, the service will continue to be available on Amazon's own devices, such as Fire TV and Fire Tablets.

Interestingly, this move comes at a time when alternative app stores are starting to gain more traction. Yet, Amazon has struggled to become a household name in this space. The reasons behind this could be multifaceted, but a key factor is likely the lack of compelling incentives to attract users and developers. For instance, the Epic Games Store has seen success with its free games program, something Amazon's Appstore never quite managed to replicate.

This development serves as a reminder that even the backing of a major corporation does not guarantee longevity in the competitive world of app distribution. However, there's no need to despair. If you're looking for new mobile gaming experiences, why not explore some of the top five new mobile games we've highlighted for you to try this week?