Google removes YouTube from Amazon devices

Google is withdrawing its YouTube app from Amazon’s smart speaker and video streaming devices, following an ongoing feud between the two tech competitors.

As of this week, users will not be able to access YouTube via Amazon’s Alexa-powered Echo Show device, and it will be removed from Fire TV on New Year’s Day.

The two companies – who both have serious ambitions in the TV and video markets – have been negotiating for some time now, but have failed to reach any agreement. A month ago Amazon removed competitor products from its website, including Google’s Chromecast, Apple TV and a speaker from LINE.
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A Google spokesperson told TechCrunch: “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.”