By Heads up, folks — Amazon has an interest press event set for April 2nd. The company sent invites to members of the press, and the nature of the announcement was teased in a rather obvious way. It consisted of a photo of a couch that had some dropped popcorn littered about, which immediately has us thinking about Amazon Instant Video.
So what could be so big that they’re planning a whole media event for? Recent rumors suggest the company is looking to introduce their own media streaming dongle, one that could resemble Chromecast. It could also be some sort of set-top box. Either way, it’s no doubt something you’ll be hooking up to your TV to watch all your favorite movies and TV shows on.
Some are suggesting Amazon will invite other partners in to play, providing a one-stop shop for video apps of all sorts. At the same time, Amazon will likely look to highlight their own growing library of original content above all else.
We could also see some gaming goodness if this turns out to be a set-top box. Amazon has been rumored to be bringing a gaming unit of some sort, and their purchase of Killer Instinct developer Double Helix certainly doesn’t help them crush those rumors. That said, the fact that the invite specifically mentions “video business” has us cautious to think this announcement will include information about anything other than video streaming.
Peter Larsen, the company’s vice president of Kindle business, will probably be playing some April Fools’ jokes on the day before the event, but they certainly won’t be joking around about their bid to take video to the next level. You can bet we’ll be all ears and eyes next week Tuesday. Now, excuse me while I run to avoid the barrage of comments wondering where the freaking Instant Video for Android app is.
[via TechCrunch]
Already have Amazon Instant Video on my Blu-Ray players. Hopefully it’s more interesting than that. An Android app would be nice.
Maybe combine Instant Video with the Unbox so if you bought a Digital Copy, you can play it through Instant Video without the Unbox application in Windows.
Agreed. Android app or I’m not interested.
“We have heard from many of you for your desire to have Amazon Instant Video available on the Chromecast! Introducing the Amazoncast!”
Quentyn, you shouldn’t have to run. Amazon should. It is a shame they do not have an app for the Google Play store for devices other than Google TV (obviously blocking other Android devices for no good reason even though Amazon representatives say they are looking into it).
This is their last chance to not have me quit Prime next month.
I’m sorry, but if you staying with Prime ONLY for the free movies… man, you must be really confused. Actually, movies are actually a bonus to keep me visiting the side more often that I would normal do. Chromecast, Amazoncast, AppleTV, Roku… I don’t get religious about some dongle. If it works, it is fine with me, and It should not matter to Google or Amazon, since this is NOT why they have these devices. Any wars are simply stupid and only say volumes about their luck of understanding marketing.
It’s not for the movies. I have Google TV and a Wii U to stream. It’s the one in a million chance of supporting games or something even more exciting. We’ll see.
Hopefully it is an app that will be able to stream their Prime to my existing Chromecast. I’d sign up for that.
Word. Not even remotely interested in a locked-in amazon device. Google has shown that they will allow IOS apps to use Chromecast so you know the dongle will have future use.
You can already do this in large measure, through the Chrome browser. I stream all sorts of things from that browser, including Amazon video.
What I want from this device. YouTube, It will obviously have Amazon VOD, Netflix, Hulu, Crackle, hopefully Google Play movies and TV (but I think that is highly doubtful) will it support cast streaming though? But I heard this thing may somehow stream PC games or something, that would be enough right there, though, I have no idea how that would work unless they have like a Steam in Home Streaming app built in, (But doing that over WIFI would be very risky) But maybe they will surprise me.
Until Amazon builds an app to play Amazon Prime for stock Android they suck. And that app should allow casting to Chromecast. They are just as stupid and proprietary as Apple. iOS has a an app for amazon prime and has had it for some time. I absolutely despise them if you can’t tell. Any company selling media/content should be like Netflix and be everywhere. Anything to the contrary is manipulative at best.
I agree and moreover I do not understand why it work on iOS device and not Android …. which is the engine of their tablet
when my current prime expires, sayonara Amazon, hello netflix. I have no patience for the egomaniacal jeff bezos.
My TiVO can receive Amazon Instant Video, that isn’t the problem. The problem is that my tablet and my phone can’t. And that’s all Amazon’s fault.
if the announcement doesn’t include an app for android, i’m cancelling prime when my renewal is up. the price hike no longer makes it worth it. especially since i can go to more stores and get price matched.