Media Coverage Report 5

New Apple TV will Compete with the Amazon Echo
Author: Kate Rooney
Summary: Apple announced last week that they are upgrading the Apple TV to be the center of a person's home.  It could take on passive listening like the Echo, which would make it the closest device in function to the Echo. 
Significance:  This is perhaps the beginning of real competition for the Echo. 
  
Amazon is Bringing 2,000 Jobs to this Rust Belt Town
Author: Leena Rao
Summary: Amazon is opening a new fulfillment center in Joliet, Ill.  The author indicated that this fulfillment center is being created to keep up with massive Amazon Prime demand.  She also indicated an increase of five percent of Amazon's goods being sold from outside sources. 
Significance:  This appears to be good PR.  Amazon is creating new jobs in the Midwest region. 

Amazon counterfeiters wreak havoc on artists and small businesses
Author: Ari Levy
Summary: Independent artists who sell their work on websites like Zazzle are finding their products being sold for less on Amazon than on Zazzle.  The more the artists try and defend their work, the more fraudulent work they find on Amazon.  This is not a new problem on the internet, websites like Ebay have struggled with this since it began. 
Significance:  This is potentially a huge problem for Amazon, it potentially indicates a lack of preparedness or interest in artists integrity. 

Amazon will no longer give price adjustment refunds (except for TVs)
Author: Natt Garun
Summary: Amazon is making its return polices more strict because of the emergence of price tracking third party startups that can help customers track refund potential. 
Significance:  Many customers are unhappy with this change and could result in negative public perception of Amazon.  It could be viewed as Amazon going back on its word. 

Amazon in Trouble? How Google aims to outsmart Alexa with Home
Author: Alissa Williams
Summary:  Google announces the Home which is a device that is supposed to take on the increasingly popular Amazon Echo.  Google has not yet released a purposed price for the device.  It will be able to change colors and learn the owner over time. 
Significance:  Similar to the Apple TV real competition is on its way for the Echo.