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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

#351

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I have found them to be constantly more expensive on tools vs Home Depot and Lowes. I used to think that Amazon would pretty much aways give me the best price (+/- random sites that may or may not be shady), but when it comes to any type of tools that has not been the case. I have also found Costco to be often times cheaper for household supplies such as paper towel, etc. Amazon's main benefit is convenience, but the…

I've always wondered if that was a regional variance. Since I live in Texas, I assume the prices of our grocery store staples are cheaper than they would be in, say, downtown New York City. But if I lived in a more urban, city environment, where easy parking isn't a given and picking up groceries in a car is more a hassle, then the time savings of having Amazon deliver for close to the same price that I would pay in…

Amazon's prices for the dry goods I buy (cereals, energy bars) are now often comparable or more expensive than buying locally here in Manhattan. (The grocery stores I am comparing are on my walk home from my subway stop)

When I was in college Amazon had better prices on these products than my local stores in Iowa.

This is why I'm much less excited about Amazon than I once was.

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

#352
post #203
post #107

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> They are destroying their most valuable component of their brand, for a relatively weak one (Prime Video). This is why it almost seems like Amazon's Google+ moment: one underperforming product area somehow manages to convince leadership to change the company's underlying principles in its advantage to the long-term detriment of overall brand perception. Edit: 32 points in 19 mins for this comment. I really hope som…

Ditto, though here's the problem with amazon: buying apple stuff on there is a shit experience. Go there right now and type macbook pro in the search. You'll get a page of results with these top results: Apple MacBook Pro MF839LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop with Retina Display (128 GB) NEWEST VERSION Apple MacBook Pro MD101LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop Apple MacBook Pro MJLQ2LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop with Retina Display (NEWEST VERSION)…

This is half Amazon's problem, and half Apple's problem for not giving their computer models unique names. Type iPhone 6s and you get much more clear results.

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

#353

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes could this move be an attempt to force Apple to allow the Prime app on the Apple TV? I've always wondered who: Apple or Amazon is stopping Amazon Instant from appearing on the Apple TV.

There's nothing preventing Amazon from creating a video app for Apple TV, HBO, Showtime and many others have created similar apps for the Apple TV. This is Amazon choosing not to.

That's probably the case, but how do you know for sure? Maybe Amazon did create one and Apple rejected it?

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

#356
They already have apps for iOS. I can only assume this is about the 30% cut that Apple takes for in-app digital purchases. While it doesn't matter for Prime videos, it matters for Amazon Instant Video sales and Rentals. On iOS they can nudge users over to Safari to buy. No such option on Apple TV.

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

#357

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...

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

#358

This is a trojan horse PR move to expose Apple's longstanding "customer confusion" argument for excluding competitive products (think Amazon MP3 downloads) from the App Store. If what Apple has been doing for years is legal, so is this, and Apple can't complain without exposing complete hypocrisy. In my view, Amazon wants to be forced back from this position in a precedent-setting way. This is Jeff Bezos's long-shot…

Apple doesn't have a monopoly or a market commanding position.

Amazon does.

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

#359

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...

It's probably retaliatory due to Apple and Google leveraging their platforms against Amazon's video distribution.

It makes sense that they would, in turn, leverage their physical distribution platform against Apple and Google's physical streaming products.

Amazon probably feels as though they were hit first in this fight.

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

#360
I think the fact that almost everyone here agrees that this is a mistake, but that Amazon still thinks its a good strategy illustrates a common problem with big organizations that have diversified focuses.

The retail arm of Amazon wants to be the best it can be. That means stocking the best stuff.

The video arm of Amazon wants to be the best it can be. That means getting its content storefront in the homes of as many customers as it possibly can.

The problem is when the two arms have aims that are in conflict. Then one arm tries to drag the other arm towards its interest, and hampers that arm from doing the best it can do.

That's when a single-minded, and focused organization kicks the butt of the arm of the big company.

Yes, there are advantages of scale and cross-selling within big companies. But it seems to me that these days those advantages are far outweighed by these cross-purposed interests hampering product development.

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