blog Global content Amazon giant overnight unveiled Fire TV, an Apple TV-like set-top device which is designed to stream movies, TV shows to consumers’ televisions, as well as providing video game functionality. However, as with many of Amazon’s product launches in the past, there appear to be no immediate plans to ship the device to Australia.
As it currently stands, Australians are unable to order the device through Amazon’s US site, with the site delivering the following message to those who try to order it: “Important message: There is a slight problem with your order. We’re sorry. This item can’t be shipped to your selected destination. You may either change the shipping address or delete the item from your order.” Amazon made no mention of Australian availability during its launch of the Fire TV overnight in the US, and the unit is not listed on the company’s Australian web store.
It’s not the first time Amazon has left Australia off its list when launching a significant new product line; in fact, this approach has become the company’s standard approach to Australian launches. In September 2012, for instance, Amazon launched a new range of Kindles with no Australian launch dates for the majority of its line. It took the same approach to the launch of its first Kindle Fire in September 2011. Most of the products have eventually launched in Australia, although on a significantly delayed schedule. It is believed that Amazon’s Prime IPTV service is currently only available to US residents, as are similar services such as Netflix and Hulu.
In comparison, other companies, such as Apple and Samsung, have begun regularly committing to Australian launches of their products that take place on the same date, or only shortly after, launches in their home countries.
Image credit: Amazon
Amazon will, however, happily ship Roku devices to Australia without objection.
LOL awesome pickup. I don’t know why Amazon is SO restrictive about shipping electronic devices overseas. They should just have a screen that you have to agree to that says “I understand that if I am buying an electronic device from the US I take responsibility for checking voltage compatibility with my country and purchasing appropriate plug adaptors etc”.
when it comes to gadgets & physical products, power plugs is the minor issue.
for whatever reason, Amazon appears to have built in to their distributorship system every opportunity for the manufacturer/wholesaler of a gadget to tick a box for each country to say “No, sorry, we already have a distributor in that country & the terms of that distributorship are “exclusive”. sorry.”
Meh, PriceUSA + GetFlix will sort that problem out… (provided Amazon content can be bought with an Australian credit card…? Not sure) :)
You have to wonder how much this is due not to Amazon, but certain Australian monopolist cable television suppliers and/or media networks.
Every single time Australia gets left out – Chromecast is another awesome bit of kit that Australians have to use a US based resender to get delivered.
What is the sticking point that prevents these companies releasing in Australia.
Good thing Tony is looking out for us with the upcoming TPP and we won’t have to worry about this sort of crap.
Oh hang on…
Why sell to a market that doesn’t have a large percentage of potential customers with enough bandwidth to perform the streaming at a satisfactory rate?
If you don’t build it, they won’t come.
it’s the Australian middlemen content licensees who are holding back the tide of technological evolution in Australian digital delivery of music/movies/tv.
for example, Australian TV stations started painting themselves into a corner decades ago with their lackadaisical showing of USA content, often *years* behind. Even now, after a decade of wake-up-&-smell-the-coffee warning signs, only a precious few shows get the ‘fast track’ treatment in an almost futile attempt to minimise pirating. most other media isn’t allowed to get their bite of the cherry until the AU TV middlemen had had their first turn. one day, they will fall. very very hard.
Beats me why anyone would want to rely on streaming with its bandwidth vagaries in this country (not to be improved any time soon). Nothing worse than random breaks in a program you’re invested in or shoddy/variable quality.
Also, it seems that every media co. and their dog is coming out with their own proprietary ‘system’, so if you want to watch a wide variety of content, you need to get multiple boxes!
No thanks, there are vastly superior alternatives.
For example?
I have bought one in the US last week….and none of the content works here in Australia, any ideas on how to use it so it does work ??..much appreciated…
Hi
Same with me too over here in Malaysia.Mine doesn`t work to.Apparanetly there`s some DNS setting that needs to be changed on our routers to one which connects to the US network.
Check out this link http://www.hideipvpn.com/2014/04/unblock-amazon-firetv-abroad/
There is nothing worth watching on TV, no matter where it comes from. Do something useful.
Then there’s that marketing BS, “Smart TV”, now there is a contradiction of terms.
Hi minty. May be a bit old but you can use a company like getflix or unblockus ($4-$5) a month to control the DNS handoff to these geoblocking services like netflix and amazon prime. I’ve been using them for well over 2 years now without issue. Still get great service even on our limited Australian bandwidth. Save me pirating tv or movies when I can pay a small monthly fee , $11 or so for unlimited access
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