Google's Mobile Applications Distribution Agreement, or MADA, is a license requirement for access to any of Google's Android apps, including the app that actually is required to set up devices like the Chromecast.
The MADA has anticompetitive terms, not just prohibiting signatories from developing Android forks, like Fire OS, but requiring any devices with Google apps include all of Google's mandatory apps, including many apps which compete directly with Amazon's own offerings. In short, it is not reasonably possible for Amazon to sign the MADA.
Amazon is therefore blocked from offering apps like the Chromecast app to set up Chromecasts for use with their hardware. Just as Apple does not sell hardware in it's stores which don't work with their devices, and Google does not sell hardware on their site which doesn't work with their devices, Amazon chose to not sell products which don't work with their devices.
This not why Amazon will not do Chromecast support. Amazon is anti competitive and now pulled Twitch from the Roku.
Big Amazon customer but their behavior hurts all of tech and hope Google can straighten them out.
Google has a lot of leverage and Amazon has none as they used what they had by banning Chromecast in their marketplace.
Google should have removed the Amazon app from the play store the day Amazon started the anti competitive behavior.
Google could block their services from the Echo. Amazon is now using Chrommium for their browser and do something here. Fire is really Android and an option.
I get Google wanted to take the high road but Amazon needs to be forced to behave and hope Google has the balls to force it and we get Twitch back on the Roku.
BTW, Google came out with the chromecast 2013 and then added the YT app to the Roku or the opposite of Amazon behavior.
My understanding is that you can cast to a Chromecast from a Kindle device if the app implements such a capability, but that you need either the Chromecast app (barred from Amazon devices) or the Chrome web browser (also barred from Amazon devices) in order to set up a Chromecast.
Ergo, you can't buy an Amazon device, buy a Chromecast, and get them to work together without another outside device. And there is no technical reason for this limitation.
