Amazon’s Ads Represent a Real Danger to Software Developers

Photo by Felix Mittermeier on Unsplash

Earlier this year, Amazon dropped a bombshell that reverberated through the living rooms and home offices of its Prime members. They are going to start streaming adverts to tablets and TVs around the country on their paid-for Prime TV service.

It’s not about an ad for chocolate during Homecoming though. It’s a sign of what is happening to tech in 2024.

“I don’t care about the price of gas or the rent of my apartment. I’ve so many electronics that I couldn’t care less about Apple’s constant price rises.

I care about the finances of tech giants (and those companies down the pyramid) and what it means for us developers.”

A Shift in Strategy Amid Financial Strain

Amazon’s decision mirrors a broader trend in the tech industry where companies seek alternative revenue streams in the face of financial pressures. Sure, Amazon has always had frugality as one of its core values, but this never took such value from customers previously.

“Amazon has never liked spending money on equipment. They’ve treated software developers as replaceable. 

Now they are treating their customers as replaceable and that is a bad sign.”

Challenging Years: 2023 and 2024

It’s no secret that 2023 and 2024 have been challenging years, with widespread layoffs across the tech sector, including at Amazon. This move to introduce ads could be seen as a strategic play to bolster revenue without further burdening the consumer.

“I appreciate there is a balancing act in keeping revenue balanced against costs.

However, could this couple of years of layoffs be getting worse? If the dire Amazon Prime service needs to subject us to low-quality ads to balance the books, the tech industry might face a more difficult financial crunch than we ever thought. 

It’s worrying that companies are looking for any avenue to keep up their revenue and shareholders happy.”

The Bigger Picture

This move by Amazon is symptomatic of a larger trend in the tech world — where cost-cutting and maximizing profits come at the expense of anything else.

“This industry is supposed to be forward-looking. Innovation.

Now Amazon is bombarding customers with adverts while (I imagine) still getting software devs to work using outdated equipment and doors as desks.

Is this all going to end when software developers are completely replaced by AI? This is worrying times all-round.”

Conclusion

Amazon’s introduction of ads into Prime Video is a telling sign of the times. In an era marked by economic downturns and belt-tightening, even the tech giants are not immune to the pressures of maintaining profitability. 

“Us software devs are witnessing a pivotal moment where the lines between enhancing user experience and boosting financial health are becoming increasingly blurred. We need to keep healthy, keep coding, and keep learning. What else is there to do?”