Amazon yanks Apple TV and Chromecast from digital shelves
Making good on promises to halt sales of set-top streaming devices competing with its own Fire TV lineup, Amazon on Thursday removed all Apple TV and Google Chromecast products from its online store.
As seen in the screenshot above, Amazon.com is no longer selling Apple TV or other streaming devices like Chromecast in a bid to boost juice Prime Video subscriptions and sales of first-party Fire TV and Fire TV Stick units. The company first announced plans to discontinue competing products earlier this month, saying the decision was made in an effort to prevent "customer confusion."
"It's important that the streaming media players we sell interact well with Prime Video in order to avoid customer confusion," Amazon said at the time, noting its Prime Video service has become an important facet of the members-only service.
Alongside Amazon's own Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, the online retailer will continue sales of certain devices that support Prime Video, including Roku's hardware and consoles like Xbox and PlayStation. The company has not specified why a branded Amazon app or channel was never created for Apple TV, though it is assumed Amazon was not keen on paying Apple's mandated 30 percent cut of content sales.
The move also suggests Amazon has no intention of developing an app to be distributed on the new tvOS App Store, supported by Apple's fourth-generation Apple TV. Early reviews lauded the new set-top box's powerful hardware and slick user interface, but shaved off a few points for lack of unique content.
As seen in the screenshot above, Amazon.com is no longer selling Apple TV or other streaming devices like Chromecast in a bid to boost juice Prime Video subscriptions and sales of first-party Fire TV and Fire TV Stick units. The company first announced plans to discontinue competing products earlier this month, saying the decision was made in an effort to prevent "customer confusion."
"It's important that the streaming media players we sell interact well with Prime Video in order to avoid customer confusion," Amazon said at the time, noting its Prime Video service has become an important facet of the members-only service.
Alongside Amazon's own Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, the online retailer will continue sales of certain devices that support Prime Video, including Roku's hardware and consoles like Xbox and PlayStation. The company has not specified why a branded Amazon app or channel was never created for Apple TV, though it is assumed Amazon was not keen on paying Apple's mandated 30 percent cut of content sales.
The move also suggests Amazon has no intention of developing an app to be distributed on the new tvOS App Store, supported by Apple's fourth-generation Apple TV. Early reviews lauded the new set-top box's powerful hardware and slick user interface, but shaved off a few points for lack of unique content.
Comments
Come Friday (crossing fingers) my Fire TV will be my new coaster. Speaking of Amazon, I did read an Amazon rep confirmed they are making an app for the Apple TV so users can access Prime Music and Videos.
Maybe that will make them feel better.
I’m guessing this means no Amazon Instant Video app for the new Apple TV 4 anytime soon.
I have a bad feeling about this.
For Amazon.
...Speaking of Amazon, I did read an Amazon rep confirmed they are making an app for the Apple TV so users can access Prime Music and Videos.
That would be worth reading, do you have a link?
That would be worth reading, do you have a link?
I read somewhere that a spokesperson had nothing to say at this time.
Neither a denial or confirmation.
Apparently Apple has no issue about it.
But I guess you can Airplay from either an iPhone or iPad. Not the most optimal way.
I do have Prime currently.
That would be worth reading, do you have a link?
I actually saw it on the Apple forums. Someone posted a screen shot of a conversation with an Amazon rep who confirmed they were making a Apple TV app. Not sure if its true or not, but the screen shot looked real.
Back to drawing board Amazon, really.
Well, it would be very easy for Google and Apple to retaliate. They could just ban any application made by Amazon from their App Store. No kindle, no prime video app, no Amazon shopping, no nothing. Let's hope it won't come to that and Amazon would soon come to its sense. nonetheless shouldn't DoJ look into Amazon's hostile behavior?
I think the whole E-Book thing was BS.
Amazon should have been the one investigated.
Apple trying to make the publishers a few more bucks and Amazon wants to run them into the ground.
What is up with that?
Or get smacked. Badly.
Smells like it's time to unload your Amazon stock.
The only reason they will change their mind is due to customer pressure.