Why Windows 11 going with Amazon for its Android apps, and not Google, is a masterstroke

Date:
Sat, 03 Jul 2021 12:00:00 +0000

Description:
Theres more to Android apps on the Microsoft Store than we may think.

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One of the biggest surprises of the Windows 11 launch event was the announcement that Android apps are coming to the new Microsoft Store... but through Amazon.

While the decision was praised, its also been met with some trepidation and puzzlement, leaving people wondering why there hasnt just been an arrangement made with Google itself.

The redesigned Microsoft Store on Windows 11 is very welcome, but users will have far less Android apps to choose from, compared to the amount thats available on Googles own Play Store.

With this in mind, heres why this decision may have come to Amazons Store instead. Here are the best Android apps of 2021 Check out the best laptops
you can buy Microsoft Edge extensions are also on the new Microsoft Store Seeing what was in front of us all along

Google announced recently that it is changing the format for Android apps, called APK, and moving to a new format from August called the Android App Bundle, or AAB.

When you download an app from Googles Play Store for your Android device, it uses the .APK naming convention, similar to how you install an app on Windows as .exe, or .DMG on Apples macOS operating system.

However, this new type of file, according to Google, reduces the size of the app, alongside being able to be signed , which essentially means that Google will be able to track the app from within its Play Store with an Upload Key, so it can help recover the app for a developer if something occurs.

This is where I believe Amazons App Store on Windows 11 comes in. The Amazon Windows 11 Store

For years now, Amazon has had its own Android app store , which enables users of Kindle Fire devices to download apps from Amazons own site, and from
within the companys own storefront.

Since the stores launch in 2011, there are almost 500,000 apps available from Amazon, which seems minimal compared to the millions available on Googles
Play Store.

However, Amazon has total control over this store, so developers that make apps that illegally offer games and apps for free that are otherwise
available for a fee are blocked, similar to Apples own guidelines.

This, along with Googles plans for AAB and its plan for signing every app
with an upload key, may be why we are seeing Amazons store on Windows 11 instead. It helps give focus to whats available from Amazons storefront, and doesnt flood the new Microsoft Store with copycat apps. More so, it doesnt require Microsoft to police the apps coming in from Android, as Amazon
already does this. (Image credit: Microsoft)

Its an ingenious move when you think about it. It enables more apps on the
new Microsoft Store with minimal effort from Microsoft, and helps it become a substantial rival to Apples Mac App Store, with iOS apps now available on M1 Macs.

With extensions being available for Microsoft Edge as well in the Microsoft Store, its a fantastic outlet for new and existing users to discover apps
they might not have otherwise found before.

Theres already an early version of Windows 11 available to download for testing, but it doesnt include Android apps at the moment, so well have to wait to see just how successful Microsofts inclusion of these mobile apps turns out to be. Find out where to buy Windows 10



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/why-windows-11-going-with-amazon-for-its-androi d-apps-and-not-google-is-a-masterstroke/


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