Your Amazon TV might soon be able to show Prime content. Exciting news?
Insider reports that Amazon has been working on Amazon-branded TVs for the past two years.
Two versions are in development: One will be made by a third-party, TCL, and feature Amazon branding and Alexa integration. According to reports, Amazon engineers are developing a second TV.
The former could be released as early as October. Pricing information has not yet been released, but they are expected to be 55-75 inches.
https://twitter.com/thebenbergman/status/1433575670689325057
With the prospect of watching Amazon TV shows using an Amazon Prime subscription on an Amazon device itself, it’s easy to see why Amazon is interested. As its (possibly anti-trust law violating) Amazon Basics line shows, there’s nothing Amazon loves more than that sweet, sweet vertical integration.
As AmazonBasics products are prominently displayed on the website, Prime movies and shows would also be prominent on Amazon TV. Apple TV lacks an actual TV, but the Apple TV interface clearly places Apple TV+, along with Apple Music and other Apple media options, right at the top.
Amazon’s desire for a TV is clear. Even though it’s an affordable, attractive product, should you buy it? It is this company that turned home security Ring devices into a police surveillance network. The company collects mountains of information on us to sell us as many products as possible. Alexa is known to eavesdrop. Giving the corporation yet another physical anchor in the home does not sound like an exciting opportunity.
Amazon makes a Fire TV stick, a TV attachment, and remote control as an Amazon-powered streaming app platform. An actual Amazon TV may not use the same interface. Additionally, it has already dabbled in branded televisions. It released an AmazonBasics TV in December 2020, but it was only available in India. That device cost about $410.
But the TV project hasn’t been smooth sailing. The Insider co-reporter of the piece, Ben Bergman, tweeted that ” the rollout has been beset with logistical bottlenecks.”
Will Amazon get its TV out in time for holiday shopping? Considering how much Amazon and Jeff Bezos love money, it’s probably a safe bet to take.