Tuesday, December 5th 2017
Google Uses the Nuclear Option Against Amazon, Pulls YouTube from Fire TV
Google Tuesday announced that it is discontinuing YouTube on Amazon's home entertainment platforms Fire TV and Echo Show. YouTube is the world's most popular on-demand video service, and continues to be the largest video sharing site. In a statement, Google said that the decision to pull YouTube from Amazon platforms was in reciprocity to Amazon continuing to hamper sales of Google devices, and preventing Amazon Prime Video from working on Google Chromecast. "Amazon doesn't carry Google products like Chromecast and Google Home, doesn't make (its) Prime Video available for Google Cast users, and last month stopped selling some of (our sister company) Nest's latest products. Given this lack of reciprocity, we are no longer supporting YouTube on Echo Show and Fire TV," Google said.
As if preventing Prime Video from working on Chromecast doesn't amount to "selectively blocking customer access to an open website," a hypocritical Amazon retorted "Google is setting a disappointing precedent by selectively blocking customer access to an open website." Google has, in its statement, left the door open for a possible agreement between the two. "We hope we can reach an agreement to resolve these issues soon," Google stated. This could likely see Google devices such as Chromecast and Google Home return to Amazon, and the availability of Prime Video on Chromecast and other Google Cast platforms. If it gets any worse from here on, Google has another, more destructive weapon in its arsenal against Amazon - Search results.
As if preventing Prime Video from working on Chromecast doesn't amount to "selectively blocking customer access to an open website," a hypocritical Amazon retorted "Google is setting a disappointing precedent by selectively blocking customer access to an open website." Google has, in its statement, left the door open for a possible agreement between the two. "We hope we can reach an agreement to resolve these issues soon," Google stated. This could likely see Google devices such as Chromecast and Google Home return to Amazon, and the availability of Prime Video on Chromecast and other Google Cast platforms. If it gets any worse from here on, Google has another, more destructive weapon in its arsenal against Amazon - Search results.
26 Comments on Google Uses the Nuclear Option Against Amazon, Pulls YouTube from Fire TV
Amazon are pushing the boundaries to see how far they can exclude competition.
Seriously though, I know Google is a monolithic corporation these days but whatever happened to that "Don't be evil" motto of theirs? :(
Chromecast is a dumbass streaming gimmick.
Fire TV is an Android Device you can install apps on and use your TV remote to operate it.
There is no competition, there is no reason to choose C over F.
Anyhow, if I can't get YouTube on FireTV for my kids then I'm buying something else. Most parents will do the same, this is what you call shooting yourself in the foot. YouTube is literally the most watched thing in my household via FireTV. It was very convenient for the bedroom but if I'm forced to build another HTPC then I will.
This is just a *content* war.
How is Amazon not carrying Google products because they want to sell their own products better? If I was Google I would block all Google products from working on Amazon products. I always say, "two can play that game".
Might actually do more harm to Amazon
Chromecast is designed to... STREAM. It can't do anything else, only sail.
Fire TV (and numerous alternatives) are designed to turn your (possibly dumb) TV into a Smart TV. They have full versatility of an Android OS, with "customize whatever you feel", apps that can be used with TV remote no prob (even in cases when developers didn't bother to develop with TV in mind, Android is that cool).
But then, on top of flying, they can also STREAM. I mean, sail.
Their appeal to me is their convenience to get media played in each and every room for cheap and is easier for kids although my daughter knew how to use her computer at 4 years old.
With Android stick you can operate it with your TV's remote and no need for any additional device.It's because you are too used sailing and not that much to flying, I'd assume.
You can conveniently command, for instance, Netflix on Android sticks with your TV remote.
Just like if it were a "smart TV" with an app in it.
In fact, you can't even tell the difference, whether it is a TV with android OS or it isThere is no difference price wise.
It is a joke chromecasts are still sold today.