Amazon wants nothing to do with Apple and Google, bans Apple TV and Chromecast from Marketplace
Amazon has put a stop on the sale of Apple TV and Google's Chromecast on its Marketplace platform, claiming incompatibility issues between both devices with Amazon Prime Video service. However, with closer inspection, analysts point out that the move seems to be more of an anti-competitiveness strategy in order to boost its own products, such as the Amazon Fire TV.
Amazon is not keen on welcoming the new Apple TV and Google Chromecast versions. According to a report by Tech Cocktail, experts believe that Amazon's decision is part of its ongoing efforts to stir demand for its Amazon Fire Stick and Fire TV products. Prohibiting Google and Apple from the Marketplace platform will get rid of competition. However, instead of confirming its intent to boost Amazon Fire TV demand, the company cited incompatibility issues with Amazon Prime Video as the reason for banning the products. Analysts called the move an "anti-competitive" decision.
According to a report by Tech Cocktail, Amazon seems fearful enough that its new offerings will be outsold by aging products from Google and Apple. Despite its incompatibility claims,the company has not taken a move against other products that do not run Amazon Video. For instance, Roku is still selling even though it is another standard set-top box and does not support Prime Video.
The Motley Fool also considers Amazon’s move a declaration of war to Apple and Google, particularly after it gave up on its smartphone ambitions, with its competitors crushing the Amazon Fire smartphone.
However, even with the bite back from Amazon, Apple TV is not showing any signs of slowing. In another report by The Motley Fool, it is stated that Apple has already sold 25 million units of the Apple TV even without dedicating as much of its focus, as it concentrates on other products like the iPhone., The new focus on what is still considered a "fairly low-functioning" segment of Apple could give the Cupertino-based giant a chance to change the entertainment landscape.
It is also expected to disrupt video gaming as it taps into additional functions and features for the Apple TV.
Because the Apple TV is not a hard-core gaming console but a device that could appeal to a broader base of users and function like a Ninento Wii for more family-friendly features, it is also expected to disrupt the video gaming industry.It can also innovate game play as the Apple app platform now has hundreds of millions of users.
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