Google And Amazon's Childish Little Fight Is Spilling Into Your Home

[steve2470]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ianmorris/2017/12/31/google-and-amazons-childish-little-fight-is-spilling-into-your-home/#4a78fed06fc8

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When, as kids, we used to get into fights our parents would sometimes suggest that we should have our heads knocked together. Not so much as a threat, but as a way of saying "you guys are both idiots, stop it". In case you haven't guessed, I'm here to suggest that Google and Amazon need their heads banging together, for the sake of their customers.

Google has now removed YouTube access from Amazon's devices, a move it took earlier than planned. Amazon has, once again, delisted Google's products from its store, offering its own and cheap imports as alternatives if you search for, say, Google Chromecast.

The ongoing spat between the two gigantic corporate babies is said to revolve around Amazon's refusal to stock Google's video streaming products like Chromecast, instead hoping to drive more sales to its own Fire TV sticks. Also removed from Amazon's listings, as I write this, are Google's "Home" products, which compete with Amazon's Echo range.


Although, of course, it's only possible to guess that this is the major problem. It's quite possible that the two firms have other differences that aren't widely known to the public. Google told The Verge that this is about Amazon not selling its products, and blocking Chromecast users from using Amazon Video - which in fairness is annoying.

[hedda_foil]

1. Amazon is getting around the block by putting their Silk browser on their Fire platform to connect

[sharedvalues]

2. This monopolist issue is the economic issue of our times

This is far from childish.

This is two monopolists fighting each other. All Americans should care. Monopsony is affecting all of our lives. Just as in the 1920s a small number of extremely wealthy families exerts control over the economy. And a small number of corporations exerts monopolistic control over their markets.

We need to bring back antitrust law and regulate or break up Google and Amazon and Microsoft.

[Hokie]

3. I saw the notice on the YouTube app a few weeks ago

I thought they would settle this but I suppose not. I downloaded the Firefox browser app on my Firestick and it seems to handle YouTube videos OK. It's an extra step to get to YouTube now.

[Thunderbeast]

4. With the end of Net Neutrality

The same kind of market control will be implemented by the carriers who also have huge interests in media and content production.

I worked for the Bell System (AT&T) prior to the 1982 divestiture. They used the same tactics in a regulated vertical monopoly to stifle competition in manufacturing and services.

The company morphed into AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast (part of AT&T for several years) ....companies that use the same playbook whenever possible.

No wonder that Google and Amazon use their market dominance to limit customer choice.

[earthshine]

5. AT&T went from being a heavily regulated monopoly that did good things for the people and nation ...

to numerous predatory "baby bells," as they were known in the 90s.

[csziggy]

6. This is one reason I am using Roku devices to stream

Roku doesn't care whose streaming service you use.

So far I am not streaming Google (YouTube?) or Amazon content, anyway.

[bluestarone]

7. yea no youtube here

with my firestick!! Can't win i guess

[Egnever]

8. I land in Google's side here

Amazon has the balls to sell and run devices with Google services disabled.

Pretty much a dick move.if you ask.me considering Google makes the OS that runs their devices.

At some point you gotta say WTF. This has been going on for years now.