Google is removing YouTube from Fire TV and Echo Show, Amazon responds

[midian182]

It’s been almost three months since Google fired its first shot in the war against Amazon by stopping the Echo Show from accessing YouTube. The site returned to the Alexa-powered device two weeks ago through a workaround that directed users to the web version, but Google isn’t backing down. The search giant has again pulled YouTube support from the Echo Show and will soon do the same with Fire TV.

In September, Amazon said there was no explanation given as to why Google removed YouTube from the Echo Show. Google called it a “broken user experience,” which likely referred to the device’s inability to use features such as subscribing to channels, autoplay, and next video recommendations, though the way it displayed ads and tracked users were likely to be influencing factors.

In an act of retaliation, Amazon pulled Google's Nest E Thermostat, Nest’s Camera IQ, and the Nest Secure alarm system from its store.

YouTube eventually returned to the Echo Show, this time with the missing features in place. However, the new version overlays voice controls on top of the streaming site, something Google claims violates its Terms of Service.

A YouTube spokesperson placed the blame firmly on Amazon’s refusal to carry Google’s products.

We’ve been trying to reach agreement with Amazon to give consumers access to each other's products and services. But Amazon doesn't carry Google products like Chromecast and Google Home, doesn't make Prime Video available for Google Cast users, and last month stopped selling some of Nest's latest products. Given this lack of reciprocity, we are no longer supporting YouTube on Echo Show and FireTV. We hope we can reach an agreement to resolve these issues soon.

While Echo Show owners will stop seeing YouTube today, Fire TV users will lose support on January 1. It’s likely that Google is hoping to force Amazon back to the negotiating table with the move, which will affect a large number of its customers.

Responding to Google's actions, Amazon said: "Echo Show and Fire TV now display a standard web view of YouTube.com and point customers directly to YouTube's existing website. Google is setting a disappointing precedent by selectively blocking customer access to an open website. We hope to resolve this with Google as soon as possible."

Ultimately, it seems the biggest loser in all this squabbling will be the consumers who use Amazon’s devices.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/72184-google-removing-youtube-support-amazon-fire-tv-echo.html

 

[Eric Mozzone]

If google wants to do this, order a sub to youtube live, get your free chromcast, cancel youtube live. Enjoy youtube on TV again.

 

[VitalyT]

Whatever Amazon does, it is incapable of a proportional response, as YouTube's popularity surpases that of all products and services Amazon ever offered, perhaps even combined.

 

[Teko03]

I wonder what the lost potential ad-revenue is for Google/YouTube.

 

[MUMMZ]

Hmmm... This is going to be an interesting battle... Will love to see how this unfolds..

 

[Kibaruk]

I have not tried Google home, but I'm an Echo owner, and even when I've tinkered with it for only 2 days it's amazing. Like someone said, this rivalry will not impact Amazon nor Google, just the average Joe that will have to select one over the other while loosing something.

 

[Hexic]

As great as Amazon is, Google is a bigger bear to be poking - no matter how sharp your stick is. If things get rough, Google has more control, data, and resources to win.

 

[Johndoedoedoe]

Amazon wants to take everything and give nothing. How can you not allow Google customers to cast your video services, but expect Google to allow you to stream/cast theirs?

This affects Amazon Prime customers who wish to use their Prime services on their Google products. Do they care that they're ****ing over their own customers?

Bad precedent that ultimately undermines the customer, you say? Hypocrites.

 

[imdarkbreeze]

Amazon wants to take everything and give nothing. How can you not allow Google customers to cast your video services, but expect Google to allow you to stream/cast theirs?

Because Amazon Prime video is NOT free to the general internet, while Youtube, IS. Google wants Amazon to give Google's customers a paid service for free while Amazon is only offering what is already a free Google service to everybody ANYWAY.

 

[Johndoedoedoe]

Because Amazon Prime video is NOT free to the general internet, while Youtube, IS. Google wants Amazon to give Google's customers a paid service for free while Amazon is only offering what is already a free Google service to everybody ANYWAY.

Google paid billions of dollars to acquire YouTube, and who knows how many billions to host that much data on their servers, the cost of their bandwidth, and countless other fees. It is NOT free to THEM, and what they provide is a SERVICE and it is NOT your or Amazon's "right" to use it. It is a privilege.

Not to mention Google had zero issues with Amazon Fire users being able to watch YouTube Live and YouTube Red services - which are not free for the consumer - thus your argument is moot.

 

[ManuelV]

So, tomorrow only huge companies like google will stop amazon from doing whatever it wants.

 

[Tiagoperes]

I'd actually say this is a response to Amazon's first move of never making Amazon Prime Video available for Chromecast users.

 

[psycros]

Screw both of these anti-competitive leviathans. Their just making piracy that much more appealing.

 

[fktech]

Now kids play nice. Do I have to pull this car over?!!!

 

[Badvok]

Google wants Amazon to give Google's customers a paid service for free

No they don't, they just want users who do pay for Amazon Prime to be able to view the videos via Chromecast. Just like you can with other pay services like Netflix, NowTV etc.

 

[Capt Tinker]

Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! Hey guys, can't we all just get along! Sell their stuff Amazon, what's it matter - one will be purchasing the other sometime in the near future! In the end, WE the customers are the ones who suffer and if you think we won't get our YouTube fix with this move ... guess again! There's ALWAYS a way!