Amid an ongoing war, Google has hit Amazon by pulling YouTube service from Amazon's Echo speaker and Fire streaming devices. With over one billion users YouTube is one of the most popular apps on Amazon Fire Stick for watching videos.
“Starting on 1/1/2018, the YouTube app will not be available on this device. You can continue to enjoy your favourite creators and videos in many other ways. Please visit https;//goo.gl/LeFGe for a list of devices you can use,” the message reads when you now click on YouTube app on the Amazon Fire Stick.
The feud started shortly after YouTube pulled its programming from Amazon’s Echo Show device, Amazon stopped selling Chromecast and also removed Nest E Thermostat, Nest’s Camera IQ, and the Nest Secure alarm system from its online store.
“We’ve been trying to reach 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. Given this lack of reciprocity, we are no longer supporting YouTube on Echo Show and FireTV. We hope we can reach an agreement to resolve these issues soon,” a YouTube spokesperson has said.
The businesses of both the tech giants have reached an overlapping stage as they both have now stepped into hardware and services. Amazon has not made its Prime Video service available for Google's Chromecast TV streaming device, which is a direct rival to YouTube.
Google is hoping that removing YouTube from Fire Stick will force Amazon to negotiate a settlement.
