Google Blocked The Access To YouTube App For Amazon Fire TV Users

Now, Fire TV users have to use web browsers to access YouTube

Google has unsurprisingly pulled off the YouTube App from Amazon Fire TV but few days prior to the announced date. Both the market giants were in regular talks about the matter to reach a cooperative agreement, but it seems that didn't turn out well. As a result of the Google’s action, Amazon now redirects its users to the available web browsers for accessing YouTube website in the absence of YouTube app. The rivalry among the tech giants taken a serious turn after Google has decided to ban the Amazon Fire TV users from using YouTube app.

Last month, Google warned the Amazon to deactivate the YouTube app on 1st January for its Fire TV but removed the app four days earlier. The statement came from the search giant after both the companies were unable to reach a mutual decision over the agreement. A few weeks back, Google told The Verge that they were in a regular discussion with Amazon to resolve the issue, but at the point, it seems that “all the talks are not going as planned.”

The dismissal of YouTube is due to the too competitive nature of the Amazon with its rivals. The issue originated a few years back when the e-commerce giant refused to sell the Google’s product in order to sell its own such as- smart speakers and other gadgets.” We’ve been trying to reach an agreement with Amazon to give consumers access to each other’s products and services. But Amazon doesn’t carry Google products like Chromecast, and Google Home doesn’t make Prime Video available for Google Cast users, and last month stopped selling some of Nest’s latest products”, a YouTube spokesperson said to The Verge. During the course of agreement and talks, things were improving between Amazon and Google as the Chromecast Ultra and Chromecast started to appear on the Fire TV. (Currently showing Unavailable).

Interestingly, the other thing that made Google unhappy was Amazon launching its own rebuilt version of YouTube app for its Echo Show device. Amazon neither consulted nor asked the search giant for the access to the core features of the app. There were a lot of discussions over the matter and resulted in Google pulling off the player from the device and Amazon had to implement a web version for the user. As a part of Google’s retaliation, it also announced to remove the YouTube app from Fire TV on January 1st, 2018.

The Fast company shared a screenshot of the Fire TV showing the unavailability of YouTube app and asking the user to access it via Firefox or Silk web browsers. “Google is setting a disappointing precedent by selectively blocking customer access to an open website. We hope to resolve this with Google as soon as possible.” Amazon spokesperson said to the Engadget.