Intel has announced that its AppUp software distribution channel, launched in 2010, is to shut up shop in March with anyone who spent money through the service eligible for a refund.
The AppUp service launched back in September 2010 as an off-shoot of Intel's Atom Developer Programme. Designed to provide a one-stop shop for netbook-specific applications tailored for low-performance processors and smaller screens, the service came pre-loaded on selected hardware for a short period of time but never reached the level of mass-market appeal for which Intel had hoped - and the death of netbooks in favour of typically ARM-based tablets, which come with their own built-in software distribution channels, all-but killed AppUp off.
Now, Intel is putting the service out of its misery. 'At Intel, we’re always thinking about the future, which often means making changes today,' the company has claimed in a statement to users. 'That’s why, on March 11th, 2014, [the] Intel AppUp centre will come to a close as we focus on developing new and exciting PC innovations that will continue to shape your world.'
After March 2014, users will no longer be able to download software from the service although packages already installed will mostly continue to operate as normal. Some, however, expect to be able to communicate with AppUp servers, and as a result will stop working when they are turned off altogether in March next year. All software, meanwhile, will no longer receive updates - including security updates - through AppUp.
For those few who actually spent money through the service, there's some good news: refunds of the full purchase price are available until December this year, upon application through Intel's official claim site.
Intel has not indicated what it intends to do with the resources freed up by the closure of AppUp.
The AppUp service launched back in September 2010 as an off-shoot of Intel's Atom Developer Programme. Designed to provide a one-stop shop for netbook-specific applications tailored for low-performance processors and smaller screens, the service came pre-loaded on selected hardware for a short period of time but never reached the level of mass-market appeal for which Intel had hoped - and the death of netbooks in favour of typically ARM-based tablets, which come with their own built-in software distribution channels, all-but killed AppUp off.
Now, Intel is putting the service out of its misery. 'At Intel, we’re always thinking about the future, which often means making changes today,' the company has claimed in a statement to users. 'That’s why, on March 11th, 2014, [the] Intel AppUp centre will come to a close as we focus on developing new and exciting PC innovations that will continue to shape your world.'
After March 2014, users will no longer be able to download software from the service although packages already installed will mostly continue to operate as normal. Some, however, expect to be able to communicate with AppUp servers, and as a result will stop working when they are turned off altogether in March next year. All software, meanwhile, will no longer receive updates - including security updates - through AppUp.
For those few who actually spent money through the service, there's some good news: refunds of the full purchase price are available until December this year, upon application through Intel's official claim site.
Intel has not indicated what it intends to do with the resources freed up by the closure of AppUp.
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