Amazon Prime Video is pretty popular, but it has not been user-friendly at all when it comes to platform support, especially for Android users in the U.S. But they can take a sigh of relief now as the Play Store is offering an Amazon Prime Video app as a standard app. This development was first reported by 9to5Google.
Amazon Prime Video app finally in the Play Store
Amazon made its video streaming app available in over 200 markets in the Play Store, but for some odd reason, the U.S. was excluded. Thus, to use the service, they had to access the Amazon Underground app, which comes with a bunch of unnecessary Amazon apps and services.
Even before it was added to the Amazon Underground app, the only option users had was to search for the app through the traditional Amazon app. Since apps on the Play Store are not allowed to act as app stores of their own, Amazon shifted the app to the Amazon Underground app.
Now all that frustration seems to be over, with the Amazon Prime Video app getting a place of its own in the Google Play Store. However, still the app does not support Chromecast. So unless you are logged in to Amazon Prime on your computer, you will not be able to cast what you’re watching onto your TV screen, notes AndroidAuthority. Amazon hasn’t made any formal announcement yet regarding the development.
A subscription to Prime Video will still be mandatory to run the app. The subscription costs $8.99 monthly or $107.88 for a year. Those who pay $99 a year for an Amazon Prime subscription will get access to Prime Video in addition to all the benefits of Amazon Prime, including unlimited photo storage, 2-day shipping and much more.
This is a better option, as the monthly charge is reduced to just $8.25 a month. For starters, the company is even offering a a free 30-day trial to Amazon Prime, allowing users to stream videos free.
Suspense continues for an Amazon Prime Video app for Apple TV
Apple TV users have always wanted an Amazon Prime Video app, which is the only major streaming video service missing from the set-top box. For now, iOS users who want Prime Video on their devices (except for Mac) have to use Amazon’s iOS app, which includes AirPlay support, notes AppleInsider. Apple has always known this, and thus, it announced in June that the Amazon Prime Video app will come to the Apple TV sometime later this year.
A firm date for the launch was not announced, but Apple’s September iPhone event appeared the most likely day. However, reports now suggest that Apple might not announce the app at its launch event in September. Though there is no specific date available even now, it will hopefully be before the end of the year, based on Apple’s initial announcement.
With no Prime Video app, Apple TV fans will now be hoping to see the launch of a fifth-generation TV with support for 4K HDR at the event. Other hardware expected to launch at the September event includes a new set-top box with a better processor and upgraded features, notes MacRumors.
