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Amazon Will Ban Sale of Apple, Google Video-Streaming Devices

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Re: Amazon Will Ban Sale of Apple, Google Video-Streaming Devices

#321

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I'm pretty sure in my country this will be forbidden by antitrust laws. On the surface, perhaps. However from the article, this is in response to seemingly anti-competitive practices by both Apple and Google's strategies regarding Amazon Prime on their TV devices. Apple and Google are acting like walled gardens, and so Amazon is retaliating. My guess is Amazons desired outcome is Apple and Google support Amazon Pri…

> However from the article, this is in response to seemingly anti-competitive practices by both Apple and Google's strategies regarding Amazon Prime on their TV devices. The article doesn't say that at all. The Amazon statement quoted in the article says that the items don't "work well" with Prime Video, but doesn't blame that on "anti-competitive practices" by Apple or Google -- which is good, because the reason it…

Man, I can't for the life of me figure out where I pulled that idea out of. You're right. Article makes no mention of why.

Re: Amazon Will Ban Sale of Apple, Google Video-Streaming Devices

#322

If you're a Prime customer, this would be a good time to leave them feedback and let them know what you think about this policy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/contact-us ? I understand Amazon not wanting to sell competing products themselves, but preventing Marketplace sellers from selling them goes over the line. Amazon shouldn't dictate which (legal) products that Marketplace sellers sell.

Thanks for the link. I emailed them making it very clear that I'd be a non-renewal and taking every penny of the several thousand dollars per year I normally spend with Amazon elsewhere if they stay the course on this one.

Re: Amazon Will Ban Sale of Apple, Google Video-Streaming Devices

#325
I don't think you understand. Amazon doesn't want to do this, but Google and Apple are leaving them little choice b/c they are undermining Prime service on their devices. And this is not the only place where this is happening. Have you tried to use the YouTube app on Roku? It is all but unusable. Why? B/c Google wants to control everything.

Re: Amazon Will Ban Sale of Apple, Google Video-Streaming Devices

#326
post #13
post #2

Isn't this anti-competitive?

Is amazon prime not working on Apple TV anti-competitive?

Agreed. Apple not allowing Amazon Prime on the Apple TV was far more anti-competitive. That should end when the new Apple TV comes out though.

Re: Amazon Will Ban Sale of Apple, Google Video-Streaming Devices

#327

Sounds like an anti-competitive move. Cue the google/apple lawsuits and FTC investigation in 3, 2, ......

So will they also force Apple and Google to sell FireTV on their stores? Amazon tries to look like the place where you can buy literally everything... but they aren't legally obligated to sell anything.

Re: Amazon Will Ban Sale of Apple, Google Video-Streaming Devices

#328

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google does not restrict the ability to sell items through your app; that's Apple. You can implement a store in your app with purchases if you want, without using Google's payment system. And many such apps exist in the Play store. What you can't do in an app in the Play store is implement your own app store and load arbitrary apps. And Amazon forces you to install the full Amazon app including its app store, rather…

And their forcing you to install an app store shim that asks for ALL/ALL application rights is why they got booted to my "snoopy vendors only" Android profile: the one with zero human contact information. For those of us willing to put the time into it I'd love a cleaner way to containerize apps and firewall off personal information.

> "snoopy vendors only" Android profile

That's a brilliant idea, especially now that the multi-user support works on phones in addition to tablets.

Re: Amazon Will Ban Sale of Apple, Google Video-Streaming Devices

#329

I don't think this move is in Amazon's best interests long term. Their competitive edge with Prime is that I go to them first because I assume they'll have what I want, at a fair price and the highest level of convenience. If they are no longer the "Everything Store" then they won't be where I go to for everything...

I had a long held belief that Amazon is a principled and trust worthy company... sadly that vision is crumbling before my eyes.

Re: Amazon Will Ban Sale of Apple, Google Video-Streaming Devices

#330

I don't think this move is in Amazon's best interests long term. Their competitive edge with Prime is that I go to them first because I assume they'll have what I want, at a fair price and the highest level of convenience. If they are no longer the "Everything Store" then they won't be where I go to for everything...

I agree, this is a bad move for Amazon.

I also go to them because they probably have what I want, and they have reliable shipping. So if they start cutting things out, what's going to be next?

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