Zscaler Research has warned users about an illegitimate Amazon app. (Photo : Reuters)
Online retailer Amazon recently announced that it will stop selling Apple TV and Google Chromecast on Oct. 29. Apple TV and Google Chromecast are two media streaming devices that directly compete with Amazon's upgraded Fire TV and Fire TV stick.
According to USA Today, Amazon announced that decision to ban the Apple and Google devices on Oct. 1. Amazon spokesperson Pia Arthur said in a statement, "It's important that the streaming media players we sell interact well with Prime Video in order to avoid customer confusion."
Arthur added that the decision to stop selling Google Chrome and Apple TV stems from the fact that these devices are not compatible with Amazon Prime streaming service. She added that Prime has become an important part of Amazon's business since it was launched in 2012.
Despite the ban on the Apple TV and Google Chromecast, Amazon will still sell other streaming media devices such as PlayStation, Xbox and Roku. Amazon also announced that it will release a more powerful version of the Fire TV.
Amazon Prime costs $99 a year after users continue to avail the service after the free 30-day trial. Members can access free two-day shipping, video and music streaming, eBooks and photo storage. A research finds out that more than 47 percent of Amazon customers are Prime members.
Many market analysts were surprised about Amazon's announcement. According to Bloomberg, the current strategy employed by Amazon will most likely hurt Google more than Apple. Analysts cited that Apple has its own retail chain where customers can purchase the Apple TV while Google lacks these kinds of physical outlets. Some analysts also said that the move could hurt Amazon's own sales output since it will divert consumer purchases to some of its rival such as Best Buy.
