>Amazon Instant Video is _much_ better than Netflix Streaming >I didn't buy Prime to get the videos, but the videos aren't s small feature >I don't think stre

>Amazon Instant Video is _much_ better than Netflix Streaming >I didn't buy Prime to get the videos, but the videos aren't s small feature >I don't think streaming media is at all out of place in Amazon's core offering. When you put these statements together, it illustrates the problem: bundling. Worse, involuntary bundling. You take a service that people love, which is more oriented around physical goods, then you smash in a service that many of those people may not want, but you charge everyone for the whole ball of wax anyway. It may not be so out of place for Amazon to offer streaming media, but there is nothing particularly synergistic about discount shipping and streaming media. Loving one does not mean you'll care for the other (or wouldn't at least want the option to choose another service). If they wanted to offer a discount for their streaming service to Prime members or optional upgrade, that's one thing. But, forcing it on existing members, then eventually raising prices is not very customer-friendly. In fact, it's somewhat hostile. And, that's another key part of this: Amazon has long been known as very customer-focused. Of course, Prime itself at one time felt customer-centric. But, moves like this feel very much like Amazon is becoming more Amazon-centric. I suppose we shouldn't be too surprised. They've been laying the foundation for some time at the expense of their bottom line. Perhaps this is just the beginning of the end of that phase.