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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

#391

Post by CPLX »

x0x0 wrote: post #203
yid wrote: 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)…

I feel like this is actually a potentially serious problem for Amazon, and it's getting worse.

The other day I went to buy a pair of standard issue Apple headphones. The same exact ones that come with the iPhone. Yeah they are slightly overpriced but I am really used to them and they sound good and my pair was getting ratty and I wanted another one.

It was literally impossible to do. Try it and see what I mean. I see "Original OEM iPhone Earbuds with Mac and Volume Control" as the first result, for $4.94. As a non-clueless person I know those definitely aren't real. But are the results for $24.99 or $29.99 real? It's really just impossible to be sure, you can look for "Sold by Amazon" itself but even that can be ambiguous. The day I went to do it I literally could not. I gave up and went to apple.com where it took 30 seconds.

That's not an uncommon experience. I typically buy Apple stuff from the Apple online store, or from B&H, as a rule, because this is such a problem. And I'm noticing it more and more with other products, things like USB hubs or IP Cameras and the like.

My default has always been to buy almost everything I can from Amazon as the first preference, but it's getting harder and harder to do in entire categories of products. I hope someone there is paying attention to this problem, it's real.

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

#392

Post by Brakenshire »

larubbio wrote: post #258

This move really saddens me. When I left Netscape to work at Amazon one of the things that I was excited about was a quote from Jeff. "Focus on the customer, not competition." It seems they hve forgotten that. I found it frustrating when I couldn't stream Prime videos to my android phone (is stock android that different from the version on Fire?) I found it frustrating (but understandable) when they said they wouldn'…

Similarly, the normal buying experience is being compromised by the pushing of Amazon Prime. When you simply buy a product and want it sent to you, you really have to hunt out the small, unbolded text which allows you to do that without paying any subscription, as against a display of advert and button covering about 2/3rds of the screen to sign up to Prime.

I have had an elderly neighbour ask for help after mistakenly signing up for the service, and personally, the experience reminds me of hunting out the real download button on free download websites, in amongst the flash adverts. I've always thought the big advantage of Amazon was its ease of use for casual purchasers, and I can't imagine that level of hassle and uncertainty is appreciated.

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

#394

Post by dragonwriter »

bryanlarsen wrote: post #14
Zikes wrote: post #2

Isn't this anti-competitive?

Sure, but you're allowed to be anti-competitive as long you're not in a monopoly position in the marketplace.

> Sure, but you're allowed to be anti-competitive as long you're not in a monopoly position in the marketplace.

An antitrust "monopoly" is defined by market/pricing power. I wouldn't be all that confident that Amazon's online retail operation wouldn't be found to have such power.

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

#395

Post by thrownaway2424 »

Pyxl101 wrote: post #367
cwkoss wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Totally agree. They are destroying their most valuable component of their brand, for a relatively weak one (Prime Video). I have Prime and prefer Netflix, because Prime Video still doesn't have a great selection.

I use them both as well. What I like about Amazon* Video is that it has new releases. If I don't catch a movie while it's still in the theater, I can watch it the day it comes out online. I still have a Netflix DVD subscription, so I could go that route too, but I always forget. Are there other good ways to watch new releases? Looks like the iTunes store also lets you rent movies. *Edit: I meant Amazon Video here whe…

Amazon _Prime_ almost never has new releases. Can you point to any recent release that's on Prime right now?

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

#396

Post by mkhpalm »

I find this interesting considering I wanted to stream amazon instant video on my android devices... but you can't do that unless you buy one of their kindle/fire android devices or something iOS. Not sure if that has since changed these days, I eventually got tired of waiting and moved on to other services that weren't held hostage to devices I didn't want. I would have thought this is a great lesson about bad decisions. Killing the strongest components of Amazon for the weakest. Somewhat concerning strategy if you ask me. Guess I'll start buying more things from google and apple stores.

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

#397

Post by EarthLaunch »

Artistry121 wrote: post #124
yid wrote: 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…

This is a really good point. One difference here is that Amazon can quietly go back on their decision if it doesn't work and they see people aren't viewing the Apple TV, Chromecast and Fire as substitutes- since it is just a few listings. Google integrated everything with Google+ the vestiges are still all around.

Sort of, except Amazon loses some cred with everyone who tried to buy it from them during that time, and from press like this story where now I'll be a little hesitant to check Amazon first for Apple products in general (because who knows where else they're trying to compete). Which is a terrible impression to give.

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

#398

Post by hardwaresofton »

emddudley wrote: post #257
hardwaresofton wrote: post #143

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same here, shipping is probably my biggest benefit, prime's video offerings are about the same as Netflix's

This is why I use Prime Video over Netflix. Video selection is equivalent, but Prime is cheaper and comes with the added shipping, music, and eBook benefits.

I'd never thought of it from that angle -- though I'd have a hard time letting go of my Netflix exclusives (house of cards, etc)

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

#399

Post by ufmace »

Pyxl101 wrote: post #373
AJ007 wrote: post #307

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is more about Roku vs Google & Apple than Amazon vs Google & Apple. Roku has been the market leader by far up until 2015. One problem is that Amazon is now inviting consumers to open a direct relationship with Google or Apple. If a user makes a purchase of an Apple TV or Chromecast directly, Google or Apple now know exactly who they are. Generally speaking, making it hard or cutting off sales channels for specif…

If I understand the news article correctly, streaming video players will be allowed as long as they support Amazon Video too. If that's a correct understanding, then it implies that Amazon would sell Chromecast or Apple TV again if those companies add support for Prime Video. I could be wrong though - this is based on the limited info in the article.

That's what I thought it sounded like too, which made me think of the strange part - as far as I know, any Android app provider can make their video app Chromecast-compatible. It's up to the app provider, not Google. Amazon already has a Amazon Video Android app, which last I checked, they only provide over their proprietary app store. So it's up to them to make Prime Video work on Chromecast, they just have to put their Video app on the Play store, and set it up to Cast.

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

#400

Post by threeseed »

clinta wrote: post #352
x0x0 wrote: post #203

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

There is a standard naming convention with Apple products though that they and everyone else uses:

MacBook Pro (mid-2015)

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