Amazon cuts off mobile access to Web services
Amazon is shutting off its Web services for users of mobile phones, a move that might threaten wireless access to Amazon pricing and catalog data. It seems price-checking tools such as ScoutPal haven't been affected, but it's unclear how Amazon's policy change might affect new companies from offering service.
The change was reported on this popular technology blog, where an Amazon spokesman added this comment:
"And since these applications indirectly drive sales to Amazon, I cannot imagine that they would shut them down," O'Brien said. However, he noted that this paragraph in Amazon's licensing agreement is somewhat vague:
Dave Anderson of ScoutPal said he believes the issue boils down to Amazon wanting to own direct merchandise sales via wireless, which is understandable. "This is an an explosive marketplace, and there are a few players in it now, one of them being run by an ex-Amazon guy," Anderson said. "I'm certain that Amazon does not have any issue with data lookup and delivery properly done with ECS/AWS."
The change was reported on this popular technology blog, where an Amazon spokesman added this comment:
Its says in our license agreement for that service that developers must first get permission from Amazon Web Services prior to using Amazon ECS in connection with any handheld, mobile, or mobile phone application (see 5.1.4 here). The reason is that it’s very early days in the mobile space and Amazon.com is still thinking through how to best serve customers who want to use mobile devices to shop on Amazon.com. At this point, we’re being cautious about exposing our catalog data for use in the mobile space.Kevin O'Brien, founder of Spaceware, a provider of Amazon seller automation tools, said he suspects Amazon will provide access to ScoutPal and other lookup services. Most of these price-lookup services use their Web sites to get the ECS data, then transmit it in changed format to the cell phone.
"And since these applications indirectly drive sales to Amazon, I cannot imagine that they would shut them down," O'Brien said. However, he noted that this paragraph in Amazon's licensing agreement is somewhat vague:
5.1.4. Unless we have provided you our express written consent in advance, you are not permitted to use Amazon ECS in connection with any handheld, mobile or mobile phone application.The paragraph doesn't state if it is permissible to indirectly use the data (via another server) or if they mean direct access from the device itself. It's possible that Amazon is simply trying to prevent mobile applications directly hitting their servers directly and causing lots of traffic.
Dave Anderson of ScoutPal said he believes the issue boils down to Amazon wanting to own direct merchandise sales via wireless, which is understandable. "This is an an explosive marketplace, and there are a few players in it now, one of them being run by an ex-Amazon guy," Anderson said. "I'm certain that Amazon does not have any issue with data lookup and delivery properly done with ECS/AWS."
One startup company providing mobile-phone shopping services that is probably drawing Amazon's attention is Mobile Shopper, whose chief technology officer is a former Amazon employee. The company uses PayPal to process payments, which is probably an additional irritant for Amazon.
Labels: Amazon Web services
posted by Steve Weber at 9/17/2007
8 Comments:
I;ve seen this coming for awhile now. The three A'S see a market for repricing,Inventory management,Scouting etc.
Look for Alibris and Amazon to offer their own services soon.
Since Scoutpal has been invited to seller conferences, I have hope.
Will this affect folks using their PDA to look up items on Amazon without the use of a service? This is rather bizarre. What if I were not a bookseller, this means I will not be able to browse on Amazon?
Browsing Amazon's Web site isn't affected. It's the "Web services" data feed that Amazon is restricting.
Thisis like the early days of Satellite Cable - I do consider it theft of services unless you pay for it to resell.
But, considering AZ's behavior the past year; there is a closed fist as opposed to open handed approach to policy on AZ.
In business you can be a lion or a fox [in Microsofts case Gorilla] in AZ's case they're being a badger.
They're shaking money out of buyers for their quarterlies [which are good] regardless of the economic downturn. Using WalMart as the bar - if things are down they are down. Leave your guests alone.
"buyers" should have read "sellers" in the above
I just spoke to seller support. They told me that there are no plans at this time to restrict any data to the price checkers.
I think Amazon is aware of how many sellers rely on price checking technology to purchase the books they list on Amazon. I would not be suprised if they rolled out there own price checker in the future and then cut off the data to outfits like scoutpal.
That said, I would also strongly advise anyone who is heavily reliant on price checking technology to have a plan B.
Talk about a dog eat dog world!
Jim
Can you give us an example of a Plan B??
Tanchel
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