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The products that started the feud are Google’s Chromecast, which can replace Amazon’s Fire TV, and Google Home, which rivals Amazon’s own internet-connected speaker Echo.
Given this lack of reciprocity, we are no longer supporting YouTube on Echo Show and Fire TV,
a Google spokesperson said Tuesday.
Amazon couldn’t be reached for comment.
Dispute over Amazon Devices Can Have Far-Reaching Consequences
The dispute can only highlight the increasing power of tech giants like Amazon and Google. Amazon can have a tremendous influence on what people buy online, while Google’s web search engine can influence what people see or do on the Internet.
Google is now hoping to convince Amazon to sell the said products if it wants access to the world’s largest video-sharing website. If the two companies fail to reach a deal, Fire TV will no longer be able to access YouTube starting January 1.
Google had hoped to pull YouTube from the Echo Show this week, even though Amazon has repeatedly bypassed Google’s attempts via unauthorized versions of the video streaming website.
It is the first time a dispute over some gadgets becomes so intense. But since both tech giants want to push their digital services and products into people’s internet-connected homes, it should not come as a surprise.
Amazon and Google have been fighting over various issues for years as the competition has become fierce in the tech world. In 2015, Amazon banned Chromecast from its e-commerce platform despite being a top-seller at the time. Amazon also created a Kindle-friendly alternative to Google’s Android mobile software without asking for Google’s permission.
Image Source: Wikimedia
