Amazon to shut down the Underground App Program

[tubemonkey]

Announcement: Amazon Underground Actually Free Program

I'm not sure if I've ever used any of these free Underground apps. I, for one, won't miss it when it finally shuts down. This was the program that replaced the Free App of the Day. That one, I definitely used. Maybe they'll bring it back?

In August 2015 we launched the Underground Actually Free program, and since that time we added thousands of apps, expanded internationally, and added support for Fire tablets. At the same time the Amazon Appstore increased selection to offer more than 800,000 apps and games while expanding our footprint across a growing portfolio of Fire tablets, Fire TV, and Android devices as well as 236 countries and territories worldwide. In addition to expanding the reach of Appstore, we created new monetization opportunities for developers. Developers can now earn revenue outside their game by converting game characters and imagery into branded t-shirts via Merch by Amazon. And with Amazon Coins, Appstore customers can save on every game in the Amazon Appstore. Customers can buy Amazon Coins at a discount, while developers continue to get their full 70 percent revenue share.

While we will continue to expand the Amazon Appstore experience, we have decided to discontinue the Underground Actually Free program. All support for the program will end in 2019. Until then, current Fire tablet customers can continue to enjoy previously installed Underground apps and access the Underground Actually Free store. Fire tablet access to the Underground store will not extend beyond currently supported devices. Access to the Underground Actually Free store through Amazon’s Appstore for Android devices will end in summer 2017. Android customers will continue to have access to the Amazon Underground app to shop for physical goods and access Prime Video content and can enjoy previously installed Underground Actually Free apps.

As of May 31st, 2017, Amazon will no longer accept new app and game submissions for the Underground Actually Free program. If you’re an existing Amazon Underground developer, you will continue to get paid for every minute customers spend in your Amazon Underground app as provided in our developer agreement. Similarly, you can continue to submit and publish updates to your existing Amazon Underground apps until 2019. If you have questions, click here to learn more or contact us .

[septentrion]

So if I understand clearly, it's only the "actually free" apps that will be impacted, not the appstore itself? We'll keep the apps we already have?

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by septentrion

So if I understand clearly, it's only the "actually free" apps that will be impacted, not the appstore itself? We'll keep the apps we already have?

Sorry about the confusion. I've requested a change for the thread title.

It's just the Underground App portion of Amazon's Appstore for Android. It doesn't affect any apps not part of this program.

It looks to me like you won't be able to install any new apps beyond this summer, but you'll still have access to already installed apps until 2019 when the program gets shut down.

Is that how the rest of you guys read this?

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Sorry about the confusion. I've requested a change for the thread title.

It's just the Underground App portion of Amazon's Appstore for Android. It doesn't affect any apps not part of this program.

It looks to me like you won't be able to install any new apps beyond this summer, but you'll still have access to already installed apps until 2019 when the program gets shut down.

Is that how the rest of you guys read this?

That is exactly how I read that.

[Alpha o]

Is Amazon dropping apps entirely, or just that program?
I bought some apps before they changed to all free. You had ads in the apps unless you bought them, same as Google.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Alpha o

Is Amazon dropping apps entirely, or just that program?
I bought some apps before they changed to all free. You had ads in the apps unless you bought them, same as Google.

Just that program. This change doesn't affect the rest of the appstore.

[JoHunt]

Originally Posted by Alpha o

Is Amazon dropping apps entirely, or just that program?
I bought some apps before they changed to all free. You had ads in the apps unless you bought them, same as Google.

I'm sure the appstore is a cash cow for Amazon (same as for Apple). I doubt they will ever drop it.

[kevinp]

I didn't like the terms of the Underground app store, so I never installed it. They wanted access to all my contacts and I forget what all else. No thanks.

[FatDog]

I have to agree with kevinp. I am very cautious about apps since many of them include all kinds of ad-ware and you give them permission to see everything, listen to everything (like Facebook does), etc.

When I visit the normal Kindle app store, Amazon ALWAYS puts the known malware laden apps (Game of War, Clash of Kings, Candy Crush, Mobile Strike, etc.) apps first and list them as "Best Sellers" and "Top Downloads". In truth these are given top spots because each free download earns Amazon some money.

Then they called their new 'free' store the "Underground" it adds a perceived 'sleaze' to everything. A clear case of bad marketing.

What would get me to perhaps try more apps would be a collection of 'privacy safe' apps. Apps that do not ask for permission to take & distribute EVERYTHING about your kindle to some location and do a clean install/un-install. But the companies that produce these do not provide Amazon any money so ... no incentive for Amazon to offer these.

[ZodWallop]

At the best of times I don't like the Amazon app store. I didn't like they way they backdoored themselves on to Android and (from my limited experience) the 'free app of the day' wasn't such a good deal for developers. At least at one site I used to follow, ComicRack, the developer wouldn't offer his app through Amazon because of the terms of the free app program.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by FatDog

I have to agree with kevinp. I am very cautious about apps since many of them include all kinds of ad-ware and you give them permission to see everything, listen to everything (like Facebook does), etc.

When I visit the normal Kindle app store, Amazon ALWAYS puts the known malware laden apps (Game of War, Clash of Kings, Candy Crush, Mobile Strike, etc.) apps first and list them as "Best Sellers" and "Top Downloads". In truth these are given top spots because each free download earns Amazon some money.

I do think the permissions thing can be overblown. In general, there is a good reason for most of the permissions. They just aren't explained well.

Now those games (Game of War, Clash of Kings, Candy Crush, Mobile Strike, etc.), that's a different story. They are more invasive of your privacy. But then, you should know that from the beginning. Nobody gives away something for nothing and Arnie isn't doing those commercials for free. If you aren't paying upfront, you are paying some other way.

[kevinp]

Originally Posted by FatDog

Then they called their new 'free' store the "Underground" it adds a perceived 'sleaze' to everything. A clear case of bad marketing.

My thought exactly!

[Alpha o]

Since I purchased the apps - no ads.

One was an end-around Google and an app. Google denied, Amazon didn't. Repurchased app for 99 cents.

I did buy the other half a Paperwhite for Christmas. I spent the extra for the NO AD version. First thing that pops up when he turns it on is a big ad to try Prime.
He also had trouble getting it registered. Since I bought it, Amazon assumed I was the user. I had to uninstall my accounts and our family account to get Amazon to register it to him. For that - Amazon has banned us from a Prime Trial or Family accounts for a year.

I am not going to say what I think of the Kindle help forum on Amazon. I'd get banned.

[shalym]

Originally Posted by Alpha o

Since I purchased the apps - no ads.

One was an end-around Google and an app. Google denied, Amazon didn't. Repurchased app for 99 cents.

I did buy the other half a Paperwhite for Christmas. I spent the extra for the NO AD version. First thing that pops up when he turns it on is a big ad to try Prime.
He also had trouble getting it registered. Since I bought it, Amazon assumed I was the user. I had to uninstall my accounts and our family account to get Amazon to register it to him. For that - Amazon has banned us from a Prime Trial or Family accounts for a year.

I am not going to say what I think of the Kindle help forum on Amazon. I'd get banned.

Did you miss the part on the page where it said "This is a gift (deliver unregistered). Learn more"?


Shari

[Alpha o]

Originally Posted by shalym

Did you miss the part on the page where it said "This is a gift (deliver unregistered). Learn more"?


Shari

Didn't order from that page. The page I used just had lists of what was available and if you wanted ad supported or not. Since the other half likes Kindle and wanted a lighted one, I just looked at reviews and prices of Paperwhites not the sale page with the description.