I keep hearing this topic creep up on AAA, so I finally wrote in to Amazon myself to see what kin...

[G+_Jeff B]

I keep hearing this topic creep up on AAA, so I finally wrote in to Amazon myself to see what kind of response I would get when I ask why an Amazon Instant Video app hasn't been released for Android yet.  I got a somewhat unique response that seems to hint at the fact that they aspire to get to that point someday.  What do you think?  The full response text is:

 

"Hello, 

 

I understand that you'd like us to make an Instant Video app for Android devices. 

 

Please be informed that, the content we offer through Amazon Instant Videos depends on our agreement with the content owners and device manufacturers. This is the reason why Amazon Videos are not supported on some devices and platforms. 

 

Just so you know, we manufacture the Kindle Fire devices and were able to incorporate the Instant Video app into the device. In order to provide the app on other android devices, we need to contact the device manufacturers to make appropriate agreements. 

 

Rest assured, we're constantly working to establish and improve these agreements so we can offer Instant Videos on various devices and platforms. 

 

I'd also like to add that, we've been receiving many feedback emails on this issue and I've attached your comments to that report. 

 

As per customer requests we recently released the Amazon Instant Video App on iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and many other TVs with many features. 

 

Please be assured, our development team is also on getting this feature for our customers to enjoy watching videos on android devices. This is an important part of our future advancements. 

 

I appreciate your patience and understanding while our team works on this issue and hope you give us a chance as we improve our services further. 

 

We would never want to disappoint a valued customer like you and we always endeavor to assist our customer with the best of our service so we can ensure that we fulfill all of their needs. 

 

Thank you for your patience and understanding. We look forward to seeing you again soon."

[G+_Joseph Cappellino]

Nicholas Wellman - While I'm happy to see that they responded, I don't buy their response.

 

"Please be informed that, the content we offer through Amazon Instant Videos depends on our agreement with the content owners and device manufacturers. This is the reason why Amazon Videos are not supported on some devices and platforms."

 

I highly doubt this is truly the case.  If it were, all other streaming services like Netflix, Google Play Movies, Crackle (this one is technically run by a content owner), etc. wouldn't be able to place their apps in the Play Store and let pretty much everyone install it.

 

Additionally, the Amazon Instant Video app [1] is already in the Play Store for all 2nd/3rd Generation Google TV's.  I doubt they contacted all of the content owners and all of the manufacturers and struck individual deals.  This just sounds like hogwash to me.

 

I believe the only thing stopping them from making an Android compatible app is Amazon.com themselves.  I mean, they already made 2 Android apps, but both of them are targeted toward specific subsets of Android devices.  I just don't get it.

 

 

[1] - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.avod

[G+_Nick Wellman]

I agree Joseph!  However, I have seen many such responses from Amazon, but none gave quite as much hope, however unfounded it may be.  Just thought it would be interesting for a topic of conversation.

[G+_Christopher Seieroe]

I always thought it was strange that there's an iOS app but on Android it's only available on the Fire devices. I guess I should have expected this kind of answer, but it's still disappointing.

[G+_Joseph Cappellino]

Christopher Seieroe - it's on iOS because the initial release of the app was before the Fire and Google TV releases.  It would be bad press for them to remove the app from iTunes.

 

Also, this only involved one device manufacturer.