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The Amazon App Store is built into the Kindle Fire, but not sanctioned on Google Play
Amazon has been forced to remove its app from the Play Store after Google changed its terms to block the retailer's inclusion of its own rival Android App Store.
Back in late October we reported Amazon was openly selling Android apps from within its main app (stay with us here…), allowing device owners to by-pass the Google Play Store.
It may have taken Google a few weeks to do something about it, but now the web giant has smacked Amazon down for its cheeky manoeuvring.
Android Police reports a subtle changing in the wording of Google’s Developer Distribution Policy has allowed it to take action and effectively banish the this version of the Amazon app.
Whereas previously the document ruled against stores who had a “primary purpose of selling apps,” a loophole Amazon exploited, the policy now omits the word “primary.”
Amazon has removed the main app and has replaced it with the Amazon Shopping app.
"As a result [of Google’s policy change], we removed the app from Google Play and published the Amazon Shopping app. Customers who want the best Amazon experience on their Android phone, including access to Prime Instant Video and Amazon’s entire digital catalog, can still get the Amazon App for Android Phones at http://ift.tt/1se2A49."
There’s no word yet on when the main Amazon app will be back on the Play Store, minus that Appstore. At this time of year we wouldn’t imagine Amazon would want its mobile portal to be missing for very long.
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