Barnes & Noble apparently leaving the app store market

Barnes & Noble launched its first slate back in 2010, soon following with a NOOK app store to complement the NOOK e-book store. Not long after its first shot at the tablet and app store markets, the company started to include the Google Play Store on its devices, then switching to co-branded Samsung tablets. Now, it looks like the company's app store business is close to its final day.

According to The Digital Reader, Barnes & Noble sent an email to its users this last Thursday informing them that the company's store will shut down later this month. This email reads the following: "Effective March 15, 2016, NOOK will no longer offer third party applications (Apps) for sale from the NOOK Store™. All of your existing Apps previously purchased from the NOOK Store will remain in your NOOK Library™ and will continue to be accessible on compatible NOOK devices."

While users can still download and install the apps previously purchased from the NOOK Library on their devices, they will be able to use the Google Play Store to grab new software. Once the NOOK Store is gone, Barnes & Noble will still have its e-book store around. However, those interested to add some apps to their collection before the service closes down can take advantage of the Blowout Sale currently up and running, a promotion that offers "top favorites at incredible prices" and closes on March 14th.