Google and Amazon haven’t had the best relationship over the years. The two companies found their own paths to success, but as each one grew their spheres of influence began to overlap. The two companies have been going back and forth lately due to Amazon wanting YouTube on their newly-launched Echo Show device, and Google wanting to have their products purchasable on Amazon’s marketplace. It seems like the rivalry has reached the point where Amazon could very well be looking into launching their own video-consumption service in order to compete with YouTube.
Looking back to September of this year, we see the first incident that sparked this recent turn of events. Amazon had implemented YouTube’s video streaming service on the Echo Show in a way that violated the company’s terms of service. A couple of months later, YouTube reappeared on the Amazon Echo Show only to have its access revoked again. This time Google cited the issue with Amazon not selling Google products like the Chromecast and Google Home, while also not making Prime Video available for Google Cast users.
This seems to have been enough of a reason for Amazon to make some changes, as just last week it was announced Amazon would sell Google Chromecast and Apple TV products in their marketplace again. It’s virtually never a good idea for a company to rely on another in such a way that changes like those stemming from Google’s decisions result in a financial impact or goal setback. This is partially why Samsung provides so many apps and services that Google already offers, and it’s why Huawei has said they are prepared to switch their phones to other software platforms in case they feel Google begins taking Android in the wrong direction.
A couple of new trademarks have been filed by Amazon and they indicate that they may be looking for an alternative solution to this whole YouTube issue. The trademarks filed are for the terms Amazontube and Opentube, which are being described as providers of “non-downloadable pre-recorded audio, visual and audiovisual works via wireless networks.” Many people have been complaining about how heavy-handed YouTube has been with content creators, but there hasn’t been a company large enough wanting to compete in the space.
This may be the series of events that leads to YouTube finally having a viable competitor, since places like Vimeo and Dailymotion still haven’t caught on, and other competitors fail to stay afloat.
Via: Engadget Source: USPTO
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