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Summary
- Amazon is rumored to be launching Vega OS later this year, its new in-house developed TV OS for its streaming devices, which could replace Fire OS entirely.
- Amazon is already working on getting publishers on board to build new apps for its OS, as its no longer based on Android.
- Switching to Vega OS entirely could be risky for Amazon if not done right, potential for limited app support, a downgrade in user experience.
Amazon’s Fire OS has been powering its Fire TV sticks and smart TVs for over a decade, since Fire TV first launched in 2014. Since then, all of Amazon’s streaming devices have run Fire OS, a modified version of Android that many users have become accustomed to. However, this might all be about to change.
Amazon is rumored to be launching a new operating system later this year called Vega OS, its own in-house developed OS purpose-built for all its devices (via Janko Roettgers). Vega OS could replace Fire OS on a wide range of Amazon’s current and future streaming devices. For example, this means that if you have the latest Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, a future update could convert it to Vega OS.
However, there are still many unknowns about Vega OS, which has yet to be announced or confirmed by Amazon.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max offers a smooth streaming experience thanks to Wi-Fi 6E support. It comes with 16GB of storage space, so you can download all the popular streaming apps. It also supports Xbox Cloud Gaming.
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What is Amazon planning for Vega OS?
Vega OS isn’t based on Android
Pocket-lint / Amazon
According to Janko Roettgers, Amazon has already launched three devices that run Vega OS: the Echo Show 5, the Echo Hub smart displays, and the Echo Spot. However, none of its TV devices run the OS yet. Reportedly, Amazon initially hoped to launch its Vega-powered streaming stick back in 2024, but it was delayed.
One of the biggest challenges Amazon faces with Vega OS is that it’s no longer based on Android.
Now, the news of Vega OS coming to Fire TV sticks may be a bit perplexing because, back in February, Amazon published developer documentation stating it is working on an unreleased Fire TV OS update based on Android 14. Currently, Fire TV devices run Fire OS 8, which is based on Android 11. Despite an Android 14 update being in the works for Fire TV devices, according to Roettgers, Vega OS development is still in full swing.
One of the biggest challenges Amazon faces with Vega OS is that it’s no longer based on Android, and instead is based on the Linux operating system. This means streaming apps that already exist on Fire OS cannot simply be ported over, and Amazon needs publishers to get on board to build new apps for Vega OS, which is no small task. Reportedly, Paramount, Rakuten, and the BBC’s UKTV subsidiary are already committed to Vega OS and are in the midst of building TV apps for it.
Amazon is even hiring for Vega OS development, with the company looking to fill various roles, such as a System Dev Engineer and a Quality Assurance Technician. So, while an Android 14-based Fire TV update may be in the works, it doesn’t seem that Amazon is slowing down the development of Vega OS either.
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Big challenges lie ahead for Amazon
Adopting a whole new OS is risky
Amazon
Amazon’s Fire TV streaming devices are extremely popular, especially its streaming sticks, which are an affordable way to turn any TV into a smart TV. There are apparent risks in switching to a new OS, particularly one that’s not based on Android anymore, including the possibility of releasing an update that is inferior to what already exists on the market.
Fire OS already supports numerous streaming apps, such as Netflix, Disney +, Hulu, Max, and many more. If Amazon continues to move full steam ahead with Vega OS, it will need all those streaming services to get on board and develop an app for its new underlying OS. While it already has a few onboard, as I mentioned above, it will need many more if it wants to launch a fully-fledged OS that replaces Fire OS.
…Amazon risks Vega OS being a downgrade when it first launches, rather than an upgrade.
There’s a risk that when Vega OS comes out, it will have more limited app support than Fire OS, simply because not every company has developed an app for it yet, which requires additional resources and funding. Reportedly, Amazon has yet to provide a way for developers to directly port Android-based TV apps to the new Vega platform. If it wants Vega to be successful, it must take action on this; otherwise, Amazon risks Vega OS being a downgrade when it first launches, rather than an upgrade.
Finally, one last risk for Vega OS I want to highlight is that it could have fewer features and more bugs at launch. Fire OS has been around for over a decade, and Amazon has invested significant time and money in developing it into what it is today: a seamless and smooth streaming experience. If Amazon wants Vega OS to be anywhere near as successful as Fire OS, it needs to ensure that the same features users already enjoy are included, and that it offers a polished experience.
I have no doubt Amazon is capable of delivering Vega OS and creating a well-rounded experience. There’s just a lot of work the company will need to do before it reaches that point. I’d prefer Amazon to delay Vega OS again rather than release a half-cooked version of it later this year that is missing apps or other features available on Fire OS.
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