Posted on 12/06/2017 3:54:13 AM PST by csvset
A rare public spat in the technology industry escalated on Tuesday when Google said it would block its video streaming application YouTube from two Amazon.com Inc devices and criticized the online retailer for not selling Google hardware.
The stakes are high: many in the technology industry expect that interacting with computers by voice will become widespread, and it is unclear if Amazon, Google or another company will dominate the space. Amazon’s suite of voice-controlled devices has outsold Google’s so far, according to a study by research firm eMarketer from earlier this year.
In a statement, Google said, ”Amazon doesn’t carry Google products like Chromecast and Google Home, doesn’t make (its) Prime Video available for Google Cast users, and last month stopped selling some of (our sister company) Nest’s latest products.
“Given this lack of reciprocity, we are no longer supporting YouTube on Echo Show and Fire TV,” Google said. “We hope we can reach an agreement to resolve these issues soon.”
Amazon said in a statement, “Google is setting a disappointing precedent by selectively blocking customer access to an open website.”
It said it hoped to resolve the issue with Google as soon as possible but customers could access YouTube through the internet - not an app - on the devices in the meantime.
The break has been a long time coming. Amazon kicked the Chromecast, Google’s television player, off its retail website in 2015, along with Apple Inc’s TV player. Amazon had explained the move by saying it wanted to avoid confusing customers who might expect its Prime Video service to be available on devices sold by Amazon.
Amazon and Apple mended ties earlier this year when it was announced Prime Video would come to Apple TV. Not so with Google.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
The Fire TV loses access to its YouTube app on Jan. 1, Google said. Amazon has sold that device for longer than the Echo Show, meaning more customers may now be affected.
Google turns off/removes that capability - how are these customers not financially harmed, and how is this not class-action lawsuit worthy?
This is why I don't buy Google devices. Seriously.
Probably way down there in the software users agreement that no one reads yet you have to say okay to. That would be my guess. It might go to court, let’s watch and see.
More reason for the DOJ to break up the horrible Google monopoly.
This sort of thing is really sort of stupid and short-sighted on the part of them both. People have come to regard their online devices as being much like a tv for many uses, and complicating or cutting access to content is not doing them any favors. People will migrate to where they get what they want without being subject to such tantrums. Imagine if Comcast or Cox cable were feuding with Samsung and blocked access to Samsung televisions. That’s how this will come across to many of their subscribers and it won’t play well. Won’t stand for long, either.
Google complains about Amazon not selling Google devices. Google retaliates by immolating itself by cutting off YouTube. Google seems to think it is too big and too important and would be “missed” by the public if it wasn’t available. It isn’t. It won’t.
As Amazon and Apple were able to come to terms, I’d think Google and Amazon will eventually. If they both double down, the customers will the losers. Let’s see what happens, who flinches first ?
I think your analogy is spot-on. Well said.
Perhaps we could start calling it the “Googlopoly”.
It seems closer to when a cable company and a programming provider get into it rather than a cable company and a hardware maker. All of us (pre-cord cutting, of course) have experienced this with cable and satellite where there was a snit over fees and an ominous deadline after which particular programming would no longer be carried. Actually, this continues to be the case in the LA area with Dodger games not being broadcast locally, a fight going on some four years now.
Good! More lib on lib action. Lots of scratching, windmilling and hair pulling and rabbit punches.
screw google
You tube will win that fight. If the device won’t access you tube, people will reject the device.
Both Fire and iTunes have device cast, so whatever I can stream on my tablet I can watch on the Samsung. There are too many ways to get around this.
Nerd fight!
Wonder if this includes YouTubeTV?
Google vs. Amazon.
Like Hitler vs. Stalin.
All companies (Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple) should be banned from horizontal and vertical integration—no services provided (software) if you provide hardware.
That was the (correct) intent of the original anti-trust law.
The big companies have bribed their way out of regulation—Trump is the only President who has a chance to reign in these monsters—Congress and both parties are bought and paid for already.
I despise and detest Google. Not that I have any love lost for YouTube either (See what they continually do to conservative content) but THIS is exactly the kind of thing we get from leftist companies, and we will see more of it.
Love the characterization...:)
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