YouTube Access On Amazon Fire TV Devices Yanked Days Ahead Of Schedule
Customers who attempt to access the YouTube app are greeted with a message that redirects them to YouTube.com either through Amazon's own Silk browser or Mozilla's newly installed Firefox browser for the Fire TV.
In a statement sent to the press today, an Amazon spokesperson added, “I can confirm that YouTube and millions of other websites are accessible by using a web browser like Firefox or Silk on Fire TV.”
Google has been fuming for years over Amazon's business practices, and stated earlier this month, "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 added. "We hope we can reach an agreement to resolve these issues soon."
So, the plug has been pulled finally. #Firefox or #Silk for the rescue. It's not yet 1/1/2018. No #youtube on #FireTV from today. pic.twitter.com/fUgfIDNJH7
— Eqbal Ashraf (@eqbalashraf) December 28, 2017
Amazon fired back rather quickly, alleging, "Google is setting a disappointing precedent by selectively blocking customer access to an open website."
Amazon backed down somewhat a few weeks ago by allowing the Google Chromecast and Chromecast Ultra to be sold via its online marketplace. The product pages for both media streamers are active on Amazon's website, but neither is currently available for sale.
It's unfortunate that this silly bickering between Amazon and Google is having a negative effect on the innocent -- namely their customers. All of this back-and-forth makes solutions like streaming device market leader Roku look even more appealing.
