Take note, Verizon customers, because the big red carrier will soon be making a change that you might want to be aware of. Verizon announced today that it intends to shut down its Verizon Apps storefront in January 2013. The marketplace, which is available to both Android and BlackBerry devices, launched in March 2010 as something that'd give Verizon customers a place to easily find and download new apps for their devices. However, the operator has decided to shut down Verizon Apps as part of an effort to "simplify today’s experience and meet the needs of tomorrow."

Verizon says that it plans to begin removing the Verizon Apps store from all Android and BlackBerry devices, a process that's expected to be finished by March 27, 2013. Customers will begin receiving notifications of Verizon Apps' demise starting this month, and it'll also begin yanking apps from the store that require a monthly license check. Monthly subscriptions will end on the renewal anniversary date in December. Verizon does say that business apps in its Private Applications Store for Business will continue to be available to enterprise users, and it also says that developers will have access to app metrics during the shutdown process.

Considering that Google Play and BlackBerry App World both house many applications that their respective users can download, it makes sense that Verizon would shut down its own apps marketplace and make things simpler for the end user. The carrier even notes in its announcement of today's news that most of the software in Verizon Apps is available in another storefront, whether that's Google Play, BlackBerry App World or the Amazon Appstore. The news of the end of Verizon Apps likely won't affect a large section of the big red customer base, but it's worth being aware of if you've got an Android or BlackBerry device on Verizon. The full announcement is available at the Verizon Wireless link below.

Via AllThingsD, Verizon Wireless