Amazon kicking Apple Tv, Chromecast out of store

[JoHunt]

I just registered my disapproval by cancelling my order for the new Fire TV on Amazon (giving the ban as the reason) and instead purchasing it and a new Chromecast on eBay. No one will notice but me, but it makes me feel better. I hate any move which stifles competition of any sort.

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

They could certainly add ChromeCast support to their current apps if they wanted to. As for Apple TV, the current one doesn't have an app store so it's hard to say if it's Apple or Amazon keeping it off. The new one that's coming soon will have an app store and presumably Amazon could offer an app there just like they do in the iOS store.

I'm guessing it was a mutual decision in the case of Apple TV prior to App Store. It would have taken too much cooperation and trust to bring it about, between companies that are famously secretive about their plans, and competitive in more than one dimension.

But now there's a public SDK and an App Store, Amazon should just build an app and see what Apple does about it. As noted earlier, Amazon customers who buy Apple stuff are customers that Amazon should want to stay close to. They spend more.

I think Google probably will do a Play Movies & TV app for Apple TV.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by Dopedangel

I said might. If you have a monopoly on online sales which Amazon does not at the moment introducing your own product and then blocking sales of a competing product can be considered restraint of trade.

Yep, there are different levels of scrutiny depending on your market position. I would be pretty surprised if anything happens though. For one thing, it would take Apple complaining, which I doubt they will do. They like selling directly to the customer and have a very robust presence.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

For one thing, it would take Apple complaining, which I doubt they will do.

That's for sure. We all know that laws are never broken unless Apple says they were.

[din155]

If it is true, I have a solution:

Spoiler:

Buy Apple tv or Chromecast from someone else

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by din155

If it is true, I have a solution:

Spoiler:

Buy Apple tv or Chromecast from someone else

Like, duh, right?
Folks act as is Amazon is a public utility and obligated to carry and promote their special snowflakes.

Whatever the reason, they still carry Roku, XBOX and PlayStation, WD TV, Nvidia Shield, and a zillion open android stbs, all of which compete with FireTV hardware. XBOX and Playstation also compete with Amazon on the sale of music and video.

It's not about the hardware.

One theory I heard is that maybe a bunch of folks bought AppleTVs or Chromecasts assuming that everything Amazon sells through Prime supports Prime video and it got to be a problem (returns, refunds, cancelled subscrlptions).

In the end, it doesn't matter.
There is no shortage of places to buy that stuff and nobody is obligated to sell (or buy) anything they don't want to.

Teapot tempest.

[JoHunt]

I easily stream Prime video from my PC using the Chromecast app.

[leebase]

It's interesting because of the competitive dynamics. Was Apple going to allow the Kindle app on it's platform when Apple had their own book store? Yes. But you can't buy your books from within the app because Amazon doesn't want to pay Apple's fees.

Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video - all have apps that work on the iPhone/iPad with the same restrictions. All but Amazon are also available via Apple Tv. We don't know why. Probably some rule, restriction or cost that the others were willing to pay but Amazon was not.

Now, on my Amazon table - I cannot download a Kobo book reader or any other without finding some way to go around Amazon's competitive protections.

Now Amazon isn't even going to sell the competitive devices on their store. I doubt that's a big deal for Apple, but might be for Chromecast. I highly doubt that such a move will change Apple's rules with respect to Amazon Prime Video. So if Amazon isn't willing to abide by the rules or pay the fee as the others did, this move on Amazon's part won't change things.

I would expect Google to have a different reaction. I would imagine Google is far more in need of Amazon's reach and distribution than Apple is and far more likely to make deals.

Still hoping Amazon Prime video comes as an app on the new Apple Tv. That and a Plex app are the requirements to meet before I spend my money. For now, I just use both my Apple Tv and my Amazon Fire Tv Stick

[Cinisajoy]

Silly question:
Is Amazon kicking them out? Or did Apple and Chromecast decide not to offer their products on Amazon?

It could be either and I doubt the companies are saying.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Silly question:
Is Amazon kicking them out? Or did Apple and Chromecast decide not to offer their products on Amazon?

It could be either and I doubt the companies are saying.

Strictly speaking they aren't on Amazon.
The sales are through third-party vendors not Amazon, LLC itself.

The actual email that went out:

Dear Seller,

Over the last three years, Prime Video has become an important part of Prime. It’s important that the streaming media players we sell interact well with Prime Video in order to avoid customer confusion. Therefore, Amazon has implemented listing restrictions for the followings products:

o Apple TV
o Chromecast
o Nexus Player

Effective immediately, you may no longer create new listings for these products, and as of 10/29/15, any existing listings for these products will be removed. There will be no adverse impact on your seller account for the removal, but we request that you refrain from relisting removed products.

Roku, XBOX, and PlayStation all interact well with Prime Video and are not affected by this change.

Thank you for selling on Amazon.

Sincerely,
Amazon Services

http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-to-st...video-support/

[j.p.s]

To me, the significant thing is that it is a ban on third party listings.

Are bans on Nooks, Kobos, Onyx, and Pocketbooks next?

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

To me, the significant thing is that it is a ban on third party listings.

Are bans on Nooks, Kobos, Onyx, and Pocketbooks next?

Not unless somebody tries to run Prime Video on them, fails, and complains.

[leebase]

I don't see why Amazon would or should carry competitor eBook readers. It's not like Kobo lets you buy books from the Amazon ebook store.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Not unless somebody tries to run Prime Video on them, fails, and complains.

I'm gonna try and stream Prime Video on my toaster later today. If it doesn't work, Jeff's gonna get an earful from one ticked off monkey.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I'm gonna try and stream Prime Video on my toaster later today. If it doesn't work, Jeff's gonna get an earful from one ticked off monkey.

Be sure you hook up the toaster to the microwave first. Otherwise you might get sound but no picture.