Amazon Prime numbers WAG'ed

[frahse]

Last night for the first time, I decided to forgo "2 day free shipping" in exchange for a $1 rebate. It was on an order for MRP 1000 filters for the house air handler system. There was no hurry and I thought it might be worth while in time. A dollar here, a dollar there and "voila!"

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by conan50

Re: Doctor Who--Amazon did the right thing there. Netflix has Doctor Who, and Amazon needs to get exclusive content. I don't want them buying all the same stuff as Netflix. As a cord-cutter I have Amazon, Hulu+, and Netflix. If they were all the same I'd probably just get Netflix and forget the other two.

I didn't look at it from that point of view. I was thinking Amazon was trying to cut Netflix out ("it's us or them"), but it looks like I may have misunderstood.

[twowheels]

For me the benefit of Prime is knowing exactly when a package will arrive. I don't even care so much that it's two days, I just love that when I place an order they give me a guaranteed delivery date, which has always been correct. That alone makes it so much easier to shop online as I can order things to arrive when I know we'll be around to receive it. A few times I took the $1 credit and the stuff still arrived in 2 days. :-) I have spent about $4000 per year with them for the last three years, which was a huge increase after getting Prime.

Video is a plus, but I don't watch it much. I did enjoy their exclusive production of Transparent -- it was a good show. I'd probably use the video a little more if their iPhone app would allow you to use cellular data (why can't I choose for myself how to use my cellular data!?!?)

The music service I'd probably use a bit more if I didn't also pay for Beats.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by twowheels

Video is a plus, but I don't watch it much. I did enjoy their exclusive production of Transparent -- it was a good show. I'd probably use the video a little more if their iPhone app would allow you to use cellular data (why can't I choose for myself how to use my cellular data!?!?)

The music service I'd probably use a bit more if I didn't also pay for Beats.

Complain to ios about it. The Android app does have the option of using cell data in 4 settings: wifi only, 3 levels of quality over cell (good, better, best) with about 120 min, 60 min, 30 min of video per GB. Even the lowest quality is kind of restrictive unless you got a lot of data and only use it sparingly.

[conan50]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I didn't look at it from that point of view. I was thinking Amazon was trying to cut Netflix out ("it's us or them"), but it looks like I may have misunderstood.

I think Amazon is trying very hard to stand out from the crowd with original programming. They even have a web page that points to the shows they have that Netflix does not have.http://www.amazon.com/b?node=6938769011

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by conan50

I think Amazon is trying very hard to stand out from the crowd with original programming. They even have a web page that points to the shows they have that Netflix does not have.http://www.amazon.com/b?node=6938769011

Not much competitive advantage in having the exact same lineup is there?
Especially if your customer base isn't watching the show enough to justify the expense.

[tubemonkey]

The problem with exclusive deals is the potential loss of customers. If I had to choose between Netflix or Prime, it would be Netflix. Netflix has Doctor Who and Prime doesn't.

[conan50]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

The problem with exclusive deals is the potential loss of customers. If I had to choose between Netflix or Prime, it would be Netflix. Netflix has Doctor Who and Prime doesn't.

I understand your frustration as a Doctor Who fan. I think Amazon needs to figure out whether they want to be a video streaming service, or just have video as something to tack on to Prime. I would like to see the video and music streaming service split off from Prime as a second choice along with regular Prime. If they ever make their video a stand alone service, they must differentiate it from Netflix and other video streaming services.

[twowheels]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Complain to ios about it. The Android app does have the option of using cell data in 4 settings: wifi only, 3 levels of quality over cell (good, better, best) with about 120 min, 60 min, 30 min of video per GB. Even the lowest quality is kind of restrictive unless you got a lot of data and only use it sparingly.

How is it Apple's fault? Netflix allows cellular streaming, Hulu allows it (IIRC), Crackle allows it, Youtube allows it, etc...

I have an Unlimited data plan, and would like to be able to use it now and then.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by twowheels

How is it Apple's fault? Netflix allows cellular streaming, Hulu allows it (IIRC), Crackle allows it, Youtube allows it, etc...

I have an Unlimited data plan, and would like to be able to use it now and then.

In a way it is Apple's fault by being so restricted - especially with approving apps into their store. The other services you mention only do streaming - the apps are pretty much useless without. Prime instant streaming is just an add-on, and not the only purpose of it.

[twowheels]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

In a way it is Apple's fault by being so restricted - especially with approving apps into their store. The other services you mention only do streaming - the apps are pretty much useless without. Prime instant streaming is just an add-on, and not the only purpose of it.

Have you even used their app? The instant app only does one thing. It sounds like you're trying to express some anti-Apple sentiment, but making up 'facts' to do it.

[twowheels]

Also, if I remember correctly, the only Android version is restricted to Fire devices without sideload hacks.

[QuantumIguana]

I prefer to do my shopping in stores, but there is an awful lot that I can only get online. I got Prime for the free 2-day shipping. So far, everything has arrived on time. What Prime really does it get me to do all or most of my online shopping at Amazon, rather than at other online sources.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by twowheels

Have you even used their app? The instant app only does one thing. It sounds like you're trying to express some anti-Apple sentiment, but making up 'facts' to do it.

The Android app, the one that is technically running when you watch a stream, is only doing that. It won't work unless you use the Amazon app to pick out what to watch. Both combined, they do more than stream. My apologies if it is implemented differently in ios - I could not see why it would.

If it sounds to you like I am expressing an anti-Apple sentiment, then you are absolutely right, since I can't tell you how to interpret something. But I am not doing it by making up facts - unless it is possible in ios to install Prime streaming without the Amazon app to go along with it.

[twowheels]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

The Android app, the one that is technically running when you watch a stream, is only doing that. It won't work unless you use the Amazon app to pick out what to watch. Both combined, they do more than stream. My apologies if it is implemented differently in ios - I could not see why it would.

If it sounds to you like I am expressing an anti-Apple sentiment, then you are absolutely right, since I can't tell you how to interpret something. But I am not doing it by making up facts - unless it is possible in ios to install Prime streaming without the Amazon app to go along with it.

It is most definitely possible without the Amazon shopping app, they are completely orthogonal.

As for why they're compeletely orthogonal, well, that might very well be driven by the iOS architecture that strictly sandboxes apps and only allows limited communication between them (which has both pros and cons, which is better is entirely based on one's needs -- for me, the security that sandboxing provides has more value than the flexibility that Android's architecture provides).

So, given that Amazon has an app that does ONLY video, only allows you to browse titles for the sake of discovery, only allows you to watch titles that you've already rented elsewhere or which are Prime eligible, and is sandboxed such that it cannot talk to any other Amazon application directly, I don't see why they cannot allow cellular streaming like Netflix, Hulu, Crackle, etc -- and I especially don't see how it could be considered Apple's fault.