The most popular online retailer in the world, Amazon, is using its e-commerce powers to put the hurt on Apple and Google’s streaming devices in order to prop-up the Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV stick.
In an email sent to marketplace sellers, Amazon told employees it will stop selling Apple TV and Google Chromecast. No new listings for the devices are allowed, and all other existing inventory is scheduled to be removed by October 29th.
“Over the last three years, Prime Video has become an important part of Prime,” Amazon said in the e-mail obtained by Bloomberg. “It’s important that the streaming media players we sell interact well with Prime Video in order to avoid customer confusion.”
Amazon claims the removal of Chromecast and Apple TV is because the two streaming device don’t run Prime Video. Roku, Xbox, and Playstation all work with Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service, so they are still permitted to be sold through the store.
The move comes right before Apple plans to launch its new Apple TV set-top-box that brings new features like video games, an app store, Siri, and a new controller to the living room. Amazon’s ban suggest the company has no plans to bring Prime Video to the Apple TV once it debuts this fall.
Buster Hein is a freelance writer who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Twitter: @bst3r.
17 responses to “Amazon gives Apple TV and Google Chromecast the finger”
annoying move for both Amazon and Apple, Amazon not selling competing set top boxes and Apple for not including prime video on the apple tv
With the upcoming App Store for Apple TV, it is quite possible that Amazon Prime will be available on Apple TV soon.
I hope so!!! There seems to be an implication that will not be the case.
I figured it had something to do with Apple and their control over what apps have been allowed on Apple TV since iOS has an Amazon Prime Video app….but maybe it is Amazon? Just doesn’t seem to make sense why Amazon would be cool with iOS devices streaming Prime Video but not Apple TV, especially when you can just airplay from iOS to apple tv
I think, but could be wrong, it has to do with content purchase vs. Content streaming. Apple would be fine with an Amazon app that allowed people to stream content, but to download and purchase was probably not Kosher (esp. Given Apple TV wasn’t built with storage in mind).
Complete supposition on my part.
Considering that Apple has opened up an App Store for the Apple TV for third parties to put apps out there for it, I’d say that’s Apple inviting Amazon to put out an Amazon Prime Video app. I mean, Apple didn’t have one before because why would Apple spend the time in making it when they compete against them with selling movies and TV shows? But the fact that they made an App store means Apple is offering them the chance to put it on their devices. If Amazon wants to make one for the Apple TV, they sure as hell can.
I’m just going to assume they won’t because Amazon won’t let anyone buy an Apple TV from them.
Apple also allows users to download on iOS the Amazon Prime Video app, their kindle app, and Amazon’s Music app. All are in direct competition with all of Apple’s services. But Apple lets them put it on there. Only person I see here that’s making an annoying move is Amazon.
Apple lets me watch Amazon Prime in iOS via Amazon’s app. Amazon just needs to develop a tvOS version (not difficult to do).
About time someone told Apple & Google to piss off.
The smell of fear seems to be coming off of the folks at Amazon.
Is Amazon prime now allowed on the ATV?
If they have an iOS app, Airplay Mirroring will allow someone to watch Prime Video on an Apple TV. It works for every app. That’s why it’s called “Mirroring”. It “mirrors” whatever is on the screen. Apparently, their Fire Phone does not allow them to look up such information.
it does not work for every app. Some people put restrictions on it.
Kick out Amazon from App Store (they got Kindle for Mac and a shopping App for iOS).
Let them have it….
Gee, there’s plenty of other places to buy Apple TV and Chromecast. Amazon is just hurting themselves here.
What a juvenile article. Who wrote this a 5 year old?
Apple won’t let prime on their Apple TV and your coming down on Amazon for not selling the Apple TV? Amazon still sells the roku and other set top boxes that allow the prime app.
Now queue the apple sheep rallying to apples defense blaming Amazon for not wishing to put the prime app on Apple TV when you all know and have to admit that it is apple who does not want the prime app on their device. The prime downloads would cut into apples own iTunes downloads.
Let me know when you can walk into an Apple Store and purchase a fire tv.
Oh dear!! If only there was another online store we could by our new AppleTV from 8-/ lol
I’d be so happy if Apple allowed Amazon to a Prime app Apple TV, even if you couldn’t buy stuff. I understand it’s a business decision but it feels anticonsumer.