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Amazon Working on Free Ad-Supported Version of Prime Video as Content War With Apple Intensifies
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avanpelt
macrumors 68030
As others have said, Amazon getting around the 30% cut is simple. They do it today with the Prime Video and Kindle apps on iOS. You can't purchase anything directly from those apps so Apple doesn't get anything. The apps are simply content viewers that allow you to view content that was purchased or rented directly through Amazon's website or on another device. The Prime Video tvOS app will be the same thing.
69Mustang
macrumors 604
When I read that title I was like, Derp.😵 Apple has no content. How can their be an intensifying war? If it was an intensifying war with Netflix, okay, I'm buying that. But Apple? Heh. Apple's platform is a big ass missile launcher and all they have right now is some dollar store fireworks, and they're duds.
npmacuser5
macrumors 68020
What makes Amazon Video better then others, for me, Channels. One login, one account, one interface, one location to add or remove a Channel, Brilliant. Now they need to move forward and make sure their video is updated and on All mainstream devices.
chriscl
macrumors 6502a
I do like Amazon Prime's TV output - The Man in The High Castle, The Grand Tour and Bosch being three favourites.
Something that does annoy is the Movie selection - at times, I am prompted for a movie "because you watched...", but on going into it, you find you have to pay more money to watch it - even for older stuff (€4 to "Rent" The Dark Knight from 2005? Nope). I wish they would flag up which movies *are not* free, so you can see that easily (or better, an option to only show free stuff!)
Something that does annoy is the Movie selection - at times, I am prompted for a movie "because you watched...", but on going into it, you find you have to pay more money to watch it - even for older stuff (€4 to "Rent" The Dark Knight from 2005? Nope). I wish they would flag up which movies *are not* free, so you can see that easily (or better, an option to only show free stuff!)
Not even close to correct. You don't pay for Prime through the app so Apple can't take a 30% cut (similar to how Spotify requests that you pay outside of its iOS app). You may also notice that Apple TV isn't sold on Amazon.com.
Mike MA
macrumors 68020
Generally spoken yes, but I disagree for at least the Mini, MacBook Air and iMac. And that’s nearly half of the current Mac lineup.
The article isn’t about adding ads to the paid tier of Prime. It’s about introducing a free, ad-supported tier of Amazon prime.
This would bring it more in line with Hulu, which has separate tiers that allow you to skip advertising.
These companies doing their own content are hoping for "that killer show" to tilt the field their way. This will make watching great shows harder and harder without paying "per view" or with a straw in your wallet (subscription). Thank you torrents!!!
mmm1345
Suspended
the amazon app is available on almost every cpable streaming device. Who cares if its not on the ATV? How many times do oeople need to say its promised by the end of the yr. Sick to death of people yelling about this stupid app on every damn article, no matter the website about the ATV. Let it go!
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this what whiny chord cutters wanted. these cheap bs somehow thought tv would be magically more convient and networks would charge a $1 per channel. Watch a bunch of thieves start posting “this will only encourage pirating”...
Chupa Chupa
macrumors G5
Not sure what part you are disagreeing with since I made two points -- that the frequency for Macs was decent but the specs were a bit weak.
So your mentions: The mini is woefully outdated, as I mentioned too, though TC has hinted Apple intends to update it next year. We'll see.
The Air is a dead machine running. Apple has all but said that model is EOL. It really has no place in the lineup if you think about it. The MB is pretty much the same machine, more powerful, better display. I don't even count it in the lineup anymore since I wouldn't recommend it to my neighbor's dog, maybe cat, but just as a prank. Heh.
The iMac lineup had an update last spring but, to my point, especially for the more expensive models, specs were kinda chintzy, especially with no stock SSD and middling graphics card.
In other news, Amazon is working on bringing Lord of the Rings tv show to Amazon Prime.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-a...=topNews&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=Social
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-a...=topNews&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=Social
npmacuser5
macrumors 68020
Huge difference from subscribing once and daily purchases in the app. Amazon’s point, unfair advantage and unfriendly user experience if users cannot use the app for purchases. At least a two step purchase process from Amazon, advantage to Apple, main sticking point to implementing what you are suggesting. The streaming devices need to be seperate from the media, let the device stand on its own. Like TV’s, seperate from the media.
Assuming you are going to be replacing your TV in 10-15 years, will you be content with 2017 technology "smarts" in 2027 or beyond? Do you think any of the services will even operate for that technology by then?
External device boxes, separately updated without having to throw out a whole screen, are the way to go. Of course, enjoy your "smart" TV while it has working apps on it, but history shows that generally apps on "smart" TVs are maintained for about a year after the TV goes off sale (so 2 years from original release date) then start looking really dated for a year or so before something happens to make them stop working altogether. At that point, you'll care about the Apple TV / Roku / whatever add-on box again.
IMHO, I haven't yet seen a "smart" TV with anything but an idiotically-designed interface. I strongly prefer the ATV interface over what I've seen in Samsung, Sony et al "smart" TVs.
benji888
macrumors 68000
Now Amazon’s delay makes sense, why would they give us Amazon Prime Video app and then make another ad-supported app? So, what they are doing is building an app that does it all:
One Amazon Video app can be used one of three ways:
1) Free w/ads
2) Pay monthly subscription for Amazon Prime Video w/o ads (this is an option already, one can pay monthly for Prime Video without the other Prime benefits.)
3) Sign in to your Amazon Prime account for ad-free viewing
So, along with adding 4K HDR capability, then, they have been working on one app that does it all. Makes business sense, rather than push out an app for Apple TV that only supports 3) above, then come out with an new app later.
I just hope they are about done with it!!!!!!!!!! 😡🙄
Maybe you have all kinds of streaming boxes or smart TVs, but, some of us have only Apple TV for streaming, and a Prime account, we can play Prime video on iOS devices, and AirPlay to ATV, but, it is somewhat limited, and AirPlay from this app is unreliable. We’ve been waiting a long time for this ATV app, and I can’t find a way to contact them about it, so, you’ll just have to PUT UP WITH US! 😛
Chupa Chupa
macrumors G5
Who watches Amazon Prime as a daily purchase? And the service mentioned above is a subscription too, not one-time buy. Amazon Prime is an all-you-can-eat bucket of TV shows and movies. It's not a pay once, view once proposition.
But even if as you say it's an unfriendly user experience then the user is going to find another provider to subscribe too. Where is the "unfair" for consumers there? Where is the "advantage" for Amazon there if it loses customers to a competitor that does rent in-app?
kdarling
Contributor
Not sure why you're paying for it either 🙂
Some of the rest of us spend thousands a year buying stuff from them, love the same-day delivery of many items, and watch Amazon Video stuff fairly often.
Doesn't have to be a daily purchase to make it incredibly inconvenient to not be able to directly purchase extra content from the settop box.
thisisnotmyname
macrumors 68020
You replied to my comment, I didn't mean to imply that Amazon didn't offer a paid tier ad free option. I have Amazon Prime (actually Amazon Fresh which in my primary area is a level above - and inclusive of - Amazon Prime) so I know the offering. I was commenting in general that I'd like to see other providers go that route (completely ad-free) as well. I really DISlike the Hulu model of paid with commercials and would rather see nominally commercial funded broadcast and cable networks provide all their content OTT ad-free with subscription.
Content providers don't want to give up their existing models but are being disrupted. I look at Amazon's move as encouraging a direction I don't want to see. It makes it easier for Hulu (the networks' trojan horse) and CBS All Access (which isn't a serious play anyway but just a negotiating tool with the cable providers - for now) to keep shoving ads into paid tiers (granted with CBS that's only on live but still). I'm willing to pay a considerable amount for content but I want total flexibility and how and where and when I watch and I don't want to be treated as a product myself in the process. I suspect I'll keep "wanting" for some time 🙂
mmm1345
Suspended
They said by the end of the year, people don't have to ask "where the app is," on every ATV post. it's annoying. If you asked it in January, then fine. But until the year is over, its stupid to keep asking about it. It'll come when it comes.
npmacuser5
macrumors 68020
Amazon has the same pay-per-view as iTunes. Say Amazon Prime does not have the movie you want. A simple click on the fully functional Amazon Video app will allow you to rent and or purchase the movie, same as iTunes. Amazon Prime is iTunes plus Netflix all in one app, as an example.
Subscriptions are generally a one time purchase through third party apps. The renewal monthly charge not processed through the third party app. If it is, then you see things like Direct TV.
Not unfair to customers. Customers will generally take the path of least resistance, thus unfair business practice leaning in Apple’s favor. Add to this, Amazon wanted some of Apples apps, one Music, on their devices. Give us your stuff, no way getting ours. One way street with Apple.
When it becomes a good business decision for both parties, the app will appear.
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KazKam
macrumors 6502
"Content War with Apple"??!!
Apple hardly has any original content... at least none worth mentioning (yes, I'm aware of a few niche documentaries, PotA, and the alleged Aniston thing). Not on the scale of Netflix, Amazon, or any of the old-guard studios.
Apple is not even close to Amazon's main competition for original programming. Not yet anyway. This is one of those headlines that draws way to many conclusions and assumptions for the sake of drama and somehow making it about Apple. It's not.
Apple hardly has any original content... at least none worth mentioning (yes, I'm aware of a few niche documentaries, PotA, and the alleged Aniston thing). Not on the scale of Netflix, Amazon, or any of the old-guard studios.
Apple is not even close to Amazon's main competition for original programming. Not yet anyway. This is one of those headlines that draws way to many conclusions and assumptions for the sake of drama and somehow making it about Apple. It's not.
Chupa Chupa
macrumors G5
Swampthing
Suspended
Hate to break the news to you, but this app has been rumored and promised for years. There have even been rumors that it was completed quite some time ago and held back for political reasons. I can’t believe this is the first time you heard about this unless of course you are intentionally niggling about the word promise...