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Google Blocks YouTube Access from Amazon's Streaming Devices

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Re: Google Blocks YouTube Access from Amazon's Streaming Devices

#31
post #3

This is actually even worse than the future Stallman predicted, where our books would be blocked at the whim of the copyright holder. At least then you could sort of understand the rationale: the idea that the rightsholders should get to decide how you consume the content is intuitive, if ultimately false. But now we cant watch stuff just because the megacorporations are fighting and we are collateral damage. They do…

Agreed this absolutely sucks. Amazon fired the first shots tho. This is their fault and they should put Google products back up on their store.

The war may be older than you think. Amazon's platform is not the first Google has refused their APIs access to.

Re: Google Blocks YouTube Access from Amazon's Streaming Devices

#32

Curious, is this a violation of net neutrality? This seems even worse for the consumer than simply having to pay more. At least then you still can get access. Do we clamor for the government to come regulate it? Be careful when considering this so as not to be inconsistent with your reasoning behind NN for ISPs.

No. the network refers to the transit medium. Network non-neutrality would make it worse because comcast could decide you can't watch youtube or amazon video on any device.

Re: Google Blocks YouTube Access from Amazon's Streaming Devices

#33
post #15

Can we advance some kind of peace treaty? Google's philosophy is to "put users first and the rest will follow" [0] Amazon wants to be the world's most customer centric company. [1] - [0] https://www.safaribooksonline.com/library/view/the-google-wa... - [1] https://www.amazon.jobs/working/working-amazon

> Google's philosophy is to "put users first and the rest will follow"

We can file that under "Meaningless Feel-Good Corporate Propaganda", right below "Don't be evil".

Re: Google Blocks YouTube Access from Amazon's Streaming Devices

#34
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed this absolutely sucks. Amazon fired the first shots tho. This is their fault and they should put Google products back up on their store.

What did Amazon do?

Amazon removed Chromecast devices from Amazon.com and refuses to support Chromecast protocol from their services. They also removed Apple TV devices at the same time.

Re: Google Blocks YouTube Access from Amazon's Streaming Devices

#35
post #3

This is actually even worse than the future Stallman predicted, where our books would be blocked at the whim of the copyright holder. At least then you could sort of understand the rationale: the idea that the rightsholders should get to decide how you consume the content is intuitive, if ultimately false. But now we cant watch stuff just because the megacorporations are fighting and we are collateral damage. They do…

Agreed this absolutely sucks. Amazon fired the first shots tho. This is their fault and they should put Google products back up on their store.

Is that a false equivalence?

A retailer chooses not to stock a product-their prerogative perhaps? There are plenty of places to buy a Chromecast.

A content provider withdraws access to it's service from consumers who have certain devices. This hurts consumers more than it does Amazon, perhaps?

In my view this is two companies demonstrating how they have become dangerous monopolies. Amazon has such a dominant online position that it is able to give its own product an unfair advantage merely by not selling the competition. I think the idea that you can be a manufacturer, and a retailer and own the marketplace (along with being the biggest hosting provider) as completely untenable long term.

Google on the other hand has put itself in the equivalent position of a TV station that blocks viewing from certain devices. Then add that you manufacture some of those devices? I hope the backlash from YouTube advertisers is colossal.

The individual action of Amazon vs Google here is kind of pathetic and I think Google come out looking worse. The real issue is the market dominance of these two companies. Time for a carve up

Re: Google Blocks YouTube Access from Amazon's Streaming Devices

#36

Curious, is this a violation of net neutrality? This seems even worse for the consumer than simply having to pay more. At least then you still can get access. Do we clamor for the government to come regulate it? Be careful when considering this so as not to be inconsistent with your reasoning behind NN for ISPs.

Google can not be in favor of non-neutral net. They would be among the first impacted by ISP restricting content providers. This has nothing to do about "user"'s freedom, but all to do about their own business model. It doesn't matter if it's good for the end-user, Google main focus is Google (and its shareholders), not Joe Blow.

Now, this would probably not be in the scope of NN and the FCC, but more of anti-trust laws.

Re: Google Blocks YouTube Access from Amazon's Streaming Devices

#37
post #15

Can we advance some kind of peace treaty? Google's philosophy is to "put users first and the rest will follow" [0] Amazon wants to be the world's most customer centric company. [1] - [0] https://www.safaribooksonline.com/library/view/the-google-wa... - [1] https://www.amazon.jobs/working/working-amazon

Google's philosophy is to "put users first and the rest will follow" [0] Amazon wants to be the world's most customer centric company. [1]

I would recommend you judge everyone, but particularly corporations, by the effect they have and not what some subset of their mouthpieces claim they are doing.

Re: Google Blocks YouTube Access from Amazon's Streaming Devices

#38

This is one reason why the Roku is such a great streaming platform, they're neutral. You can receive VUDU (Walmart), Prime Video (Amazon), and YouTube/Play Movies (Google). The only thing you cannot receive is Apple's ecosystem (but no non-Apple streaming hardware can as far as I know). Same reason why Spotify is so prevalent, they too are neutral in this war between titans. I have no sympathy for Google or Amazon in…

With YouTube TV and Prime Video coming to the Apple TV, it actually will be the one device that has everything.

Re: Google Blocks YouTube Access from Amazon's Streaming Devices

#40

Curious, is this a violation of net neutrality? This seems even worse for the consumer than simply having to pay more. At least then you still can get access. Do we clamor for the government to come regulate it? Be careful when considering this so as not to be inconsistent with your reasoning behind NN for ISPs.

HA equating this to net neutrality is like HUH and WHAT!

Google nor Amazon control the pipes and here in the US for home broadband it's a monopoly or a duopoly. With Net Neutrality gone my monopolistic broadband provider can start blocking sites, charging me to access different sites and etc. They can turn the Internet into the horrendous model and experience that is Cable TV.

No way is Google's actions here have anything to do with Net Neutrality. Rather in this instance a consumer can go just go ahead and buy another streaming device if they choose to do so. That's because there's competition and lots of it in this space vs. fast uncapped broadband.

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