Amazon has re-listed the Google Chromecast and the Apple TV, as first spotted by CNET. This is significant since Amazon removed both devices from their website two years ago after being unhappy with the state of Amazon Video on both platforms. This should relieve tension between Amazon, Google, and Apple, which may be the first step to avoiding the upcoming ban of YouTube on the Fire TV by Google.
The return of the Apple TV to Amazon is no surprise and was almost expected. That’s because Apple CEO Tim Cook announced earlier this year that an Amazon Video app would soon be released on the Apple TV. With the new app’s arrival last week, it seemed like Amazon and Apple had come to an agreement so there shouldn’t be a reason to keep the Apple TV off of Amazon.
What is very surprising is the arrival of the Chromecast on Amazon. With Google’s recent decision to ban access to YouTube on the Fire TV on January 1st, it seemed like disagreements between the two companies were at an all-time high. There’s no way to know at this point if Amazon’s relisting of the Chromecast is part of a larger agreement the two companies have made, or if it’s Amazon making the decision on their own. Regardless of the circumstances, this is good news for consumers. If these companies play nice, it keeps them from putting up walls that block intercommunication of devices and media access.
Newly listed on Amazon are:
While the devices are not yet available to order, Amazon has confirmed that they soon will be once supply is available.
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Amazon still has to support Google Cast in Prime Video. That’s part of the ultimatum and it is more than reasonable. I’m assuming they’re going to do so pretty soon with the Chromecast’s now being sold by em. Amazon had no business removing em to begin with. Amazon could’ve supported Prime Video via Google Cast back in 2015.
Anyway… Does anyone else get this error when casting from Amazon Music to a Google Home or Android TV: “Playback Error. There was a problem casting this song. Please try again. If the problem persists, contact customer service. Exception #190” This some kind of half-baked Google Cast implementation?
I get the same error when I manually select a song in Amazon music. It takes about three clicks to actually play the song. I put up with it because I can play the song. I don’t have this problem with Google Chrome playback of videos on my TV. Did you find a solution?
Finally those clowns at Amazon are showing common sense. Let’s hope they fully support Google Cast so I can use my lounge room the way I want to instead of Amazon’s crippled anti-consumer methods.
If I’m google thats not good enough, open up your store to all google products or no dice
Bizarrely you still can’t search Amazon video from Nvidia Shield/Android TV. Hopefully this will be allowed now.
So I assume the FTV Youtube app is not going anywhere?
Nothing has changed on that front yet, but I don’t expect things to this fast. The app is still displaying the message that says it’s going away on 1/1/2018.
Meanwhile, as a result of this conflict. I was made aware of an app for Youtube that I didn’t know about previously, and I think I might stick with it.
Its the weirdest thing though, the ads on Youtube videos are all blocked. Try as I might, I can’t get them to play. It just goes straight to the video.
But, hey, good on Google for using me as leverage. I guess we’re all winners here.
Care to share the name of the app? Wanted to give the app a whirl but I forget the name. Thanks.
If youtube app is blocked can’t we just simply bring mire traffic to your Downloader app to view youtube lol
Looks like Google’s b****slap is doing some good.
Years ago, I started shopping at amazon because I could not find the items I wanted at local stores. If amazon stops carrying the items I want, I will simply shop somewhere else. And I have been. I started using overstock, ebay, and jet to find items not offered on amazon or at better prices.
I have no loyalty towards amazon beyond the fact that they carry the items I’m looking for and if they cannot adapt, they will die. If people like me start shopping elsewhere, it will be the end of amazon just like pets.com and other names in the dot com graveyard that were once huge, but now forgotten.
I’m surprised Amazon sells them at all seeing as they’re direct competitors with Amazon’s devices. I guess the money they make from selling Chromecast and Apple TV must be worth it.
Why would a big company would make such a move? They have their power packed Fire TV series already lined up.
I don’t understand what is going in their mind. No one would ever promote anyone else’s product when they have their own selling like hot cakes.
What are your views on this?