Amazon looks to be replacing the Operating System on Firestick and Fire TV Devices sometime in the near future.
Currently, these popular media devices run a version of Android OS called Fire OS which is also available on Fire HD Tablets.
A new job listing from Amazon first observed by AFTVNews seems to confirm that these popular devices will transition away from the OS used today.
The listing (which is no longer available) is for a Software Development Engineer with Fire TV Experience and will be located in Berlin, Germany.
The most important detail of the post includes “A day in the life” which states what the hiree will do on a day-to-day basis. This includes:
Implement and deliver features on the Fire TV client codebase as it transitions from FOS/Android to native/Rust and React Native.
This all but confirms rumors of an Operating System overhaul as it notes the transition from Fire OS (FOS) to native Rust/ and React Native.
The system that will ultimately replace Android in newly released Fire TV devices. The new OS is called Vega and has been in the works for at least 5 years.
According to an Amazon employee, “most of the OS development is already done” as the company is attempting to “convince developers to actually use it”.
Plans to roll out the new software may come as early as next year starting with the release of a new Fire TV device. We don’t expect current Fire TV models to receive this OS update plus they should still support their current lineup with updates for years to come.Â
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Vega is based on Linux OS and uses a “more web-forward application model” with a focus on the React Native software framework.
The biggest thing to note here is that in all likelihood, the Vega OS will eliminate the ability to sideload apps on Firestick & Fire TV devices.
This would make it a “closed-source” system similar to that of Roku and Apple TV devices which do not have any jailbreaking capabilities.
Fire OS has been very accommodating for app developers in allowing them to run Android Apps that work on phones, tablets, and more.
The integration of Vega to replace Fire OS would also occur on Fire HD Tablets which means these devices would also no longer have access to Android Apps.
It is more likely, however, that Vega will make its way to other Amazon products instead of Fire TV including smart displays and vehicles such as the Jeep Wagoneer.
There is nothing official yet from Amazon regarding this news, however, we will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
This story was first reported by Janko Roettgers on the blog site Lowpass.
What We Think
The Amazon Firestick is one of if not the most popular streaming device available on the market today.
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The main reason it is so popular is mainly in part due to its sideloading capabilities that allow users to install 3rd party applications.
This includes Movie and TV Show APKs as well as other tools such as File Managers and even Google Play Store alternatives such as Aptoide TV.
However, a move to Vega from Fire OS would likely eliminate these possibilities and make Firestick & Fire TV devices nearly obsolete.
We have seen inklings of Amazon imposing more restrictions on these devices including blocking 3rd party launchers and the ability to change shortcut buttons on Firestick remote.
For these reasons and more, we have been recommending Android TV/Google TV Boxes that do not come with the same restrictions we are seeing from Amazon.
This includes popular devices such as BuzzTV, Formuler, onn. Google TV, and more that all run the Android TV Operating System.
Use our resource guide below for an updated list of the best alternative devices to use instead of the Amazon Firestick/Fire TV.
In all likelihood, the switch to Vega from Fire OS may be the demise of the Fire TV lineup as we know it.
However, it is more likely that these devices will continue to operate on Fire OS and Vega will be geared towards other Amazon products.
What do You Think?
We want to know what you think of the latest report that Amazon may ditch Fire OS.
Will you still use a Firestick device if it does not have sideloading capabilities?
What device will you switch to in the future?
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
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