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Upcoming Amazon Prime Video App for Apple TV May Not Be Ready for September Launch

I'm not holding my breath. IIRC, the early reasons we were given for no Amazon Prime Video on ATV4 was lack of WebKit support on tvOS (even Bluetooth keyboards were not supported then!). So Amazon Prime Video wasn't able to go native on tvOS at launch of the ATV4. The workaround was to use AirPlay from another Apple device. That workaround still works perfectly well today for me.

After two years, it is clear someone didn't want Amazon Prime on the ATV4. AirPlay on the same ATV4 allows it to work perfectly well from any other Apple device with AirPlay support, so for me, it's been a non-issue. In addition, I have other streaming devices with Amazon Prime support (PS3, WiiU), and switching the source is as simple as a few button presses on my TV remote. No sweat.

IMHO, the lack of support for Amazon on the AppleTV is nothing short of petty on the part of one or both of these two players, especially since most folks will still be able to watch Amazon Prime when they want to, even indirectly through the ATV4.
 
I understand why people are upset about not having Amazon Prime on their ATV, but don't people realize that viewing Amazon Prime on an iPhone or iPad, and then using airplay to the ATV works like a charm? The phone acts as a perfect remote for Amazon. Am I crazy? I know it's not native to ATV but this is such an easy workaround.
 
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I've waiting this long and although I pay for prime, I've only watched a few prime shows via airplay. I just don't find it that intuitive so I don't use it much. My point is, if it's not done right I still won't watch it. I'd rather them get it right or close, the first time.
 
Spock said:
I hope they are working on the user interface, I think it’s terrible to use on the devices that I have.
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I could see this being the wrinkle that caused the delay. If Amazon is working on a complete interface overhaul for not just iOS/TVOS, but ALL devices, that's quite an undertaking. I wouldn't be surprised if both Apple and Amazon saw the debacle that is the new Hulu interface and decided to take a step back and rethink things.
 
You do realize that all this is being generated from this one line at the bottom of the article.

"* Though sources say the app may not be live in time for next month’s product launch."

Unnamed sources saying it might not be.

Please bundle panties accordingly.
 
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It has to be ready by September 28. That's the first NFL game on Amazon, and Amazon is not going to give away potential ad revenue.
 
OldSchoolMacGuy said:
This has nothing to do with being unable to make the app work correctly. It's simply Amazon taking another dig at Apple and being difficult.

Amazon doesn't sell the Apple TV or Google Chromecast because they don't want those products competing with their own Fire TV. They don't sell the Google Home and will not sell the Apple HomePod, again because they don't want them competing with their Alexa. Their entire reason for not offering an Amazon Prime Video app for the Apple TV again was to push people to their own competing device instead.
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Does Apple have their apps on any of the above mentioned devices? One way street with Apple the company and to add insult, Apple fans demand that Amazon have all their apps and data on Appple devices. One of the reasons Amazon is pushing back, no reciprical from Apple. Amazon gives and Apple takes one way street. When there is a business upside for Amazon and others, they will then have an Apple TV app.
 
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larrylaffer said:
Totally silly. Porting an existing iPhone/iPad app isn't *that* hard.
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That's precisely why, if the rumor is true, the reason won't be the app itself. It might be a marketing argument between Apple and Amazon, an argument about money, a disagreement over percentages, something having to do with money.
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nburwell said:
We've been waiting for what? Almost two years for the Amazon Video app. What's another month or two wait?
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During last year's black Friday sale at Amazon I bought a FireStick for $25, plugged it into a spare HDMI port on my AVR and went about my business. i really don't care one way or the other about a Prime app for the ATV. Any bets on whether the Prime app, when it arrives, will only work on the ATV5?
 
The current ATV wasn't available to purchase until late October 2015. I'm thinking the case will be similar for the 4K ATV. The Amazon app would then still have 2 months to be ready.
 
My 2017 Vizio M series had a firmware update that has Amazon Video available in the new UI. If Vizio can sneak in the Amazon Video app into its crappy forced update, ATV can also have it.

Only reason I'd see this integration being delayed is the ongoing negotiations between Apple and movie makers / studios for streaming 4k HDR content at the same price as 1080p HD.
 
I don't particularly care because I don't watch anything from my prime membership, but it's pretty damning that Amazon can't get their app ready in time. They have had at least 6 months to get this done. They are likely dragging their feet to try and get a better deal. If I were Apple, I wouldn't budge at all.
 
Too busy re-pricing kale and stinky cheese over at Whole Foods to be bothered with Apple's issues.
 
I don't understand why Amazon is being sluggish with this.

Sure, they sell their own streaming media hardware, but it's so cheap it's doubtful they make a profit on it. The profit is in Prime subscriptions, and an ATV4 owner with Prime video available is a lot more likely to subscribe to Prime than one without.

I already said I'd subscribe to prime when they decide to support my platform. Looks like it might be a bit longer. I also don't want five different devices hanging off my TV when the ATV4 should be capable of all.
 
tgwaste said:
Im still waiting for a netflix app that doesnt completely suck.
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Get a roku
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zorinlynx said:
I don't understand why Amazon is being sluggish with this.

Sure, they sell their own streaming media hardware, but it's so cheap it's doubtful they make a profit on it. The profit is in Prime subscriptions, and an ATV4 owner with Prime video available is a lot more likely to subscribe to Prime than one without.

I already said I'd subscribe to prime when they decide to support my platform. Looks like it might be a bit longer. I also don't want five different devices hanging off my TV when the ATV4 should be capable of all.
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Or you could get a roku. I buy my hardware based on the services I use, not the other way around.
 
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DNichter said:
I don't particularly care because I don't watch anything from my prime membership, but it's pretty damning that Amazon can't get their app ready in time. They have had at least 6 months to get this done. They are likely dragging their feet to try and get a better deal. If I were Apple, I wouldn't budge at all.
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Apple better budge, I won't buy an ATV until there is a native Amazon app available
 
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