- Vega OS is Amazon's new proprietary operating system for Fire TV, based on Linux rather than Android.
- Improved performance and interface, with Alexa+ integration, but without sideloading and without Android apps.
- Support for popular streaming services; developers will need to adapt their apps to Vega OS.
- Debuting on the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, it comes with Fire OS and will receive Vega OS later in select markets.
Amazon's ecosystem of televisions and players takes a sharp turn with Vega OS, the new operating system for Fire TV that leaves Android's past behind. The company is pursuing greater technological control and a more consistent experience, relying on a custom-made Linux base for your hardware.
Beyond the headline it must be made clear that Fire OS will continue to coexist with Vega OS, the movement involves advantages and renunciations: Better performance, new interface and integration with Alexa+, facing a more limited app catalog and the disappearance of sideloading. In Spain, The arrival of the new system still has no confirmed date..
What is Vega OS
Vega OS is Amazon's own development intended for your Fire TV devices and conceived for become independent from AndroidThe project, underway since 2023, aims for a lighter, more consistent platform with update cycles that don't rely on third parties.
The technical basis is GNU / Linux, which allows the system to be modulated so that it only includes what is necessary on each device. This allows Amazon to fine-tune the software to the millimeter and get the most out of the hardware from your Fire TV.
The idea is that the system can extend to different products in the ecosystem of the company over time, maintaining the same experience in the living room.
Changes from Fire OS
Until now, Fire TVs ran Fire OS (an Android fork), with its pros and cons. With Vega OS, Amazon breaks free from Android's legacy and presents a system designed from scratch for your device catalog.
The practical result is a leap in fluidity: the new environment works with fewer resources and reduces latencies in browsing and opening apps. It is no coincidence that the first device with Vega OS boasts of moving with only 1 GB of RAM without penalizing experience.
In terms of development, Amazon is leaning towards web technologies and React Native to facilitate the creation of applications in JavaScript and package them in their own format, seeking a more agile and controlled ecosystem.
Applications and compatibility
Here comes the big change: Vega OS is not compatible with Android apps or APK packages.Applications must be developed and published specifically for the new system, which means starting with a smaller catalog.
Amazon confirms support for the most used streaming platforms —Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Max, YouTube, Pluto TV or Plex— and announces that services such as Xbox and Amazon Luna will be added soonThe rest of the apps will depend on the developers adapt their projects to the new platform.
In addition, the company establishes a closed distribution policy: Only applications from the Amazon Appstore can be installedThis means saying goodbye to sideloading and limiting software installation to the official store.
Alexa+ and interface
Vega OS arrives with deep Alexa+ integration, Amazon's new AI assistant. The promise is power. request content with natural language, receive recommendations based on your preferences, and combine multimedia commands with connected home actions in a single request.
Also debuting is a interface redesign Designed to simplify access to content: live TV guide with up to ten personalized recommendations and a section that allows unify movies and series of different services in one place.
Availability and deployment
The premiere is carried out by the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, which will be the first in the family to adopt the new system. In some markets, the device is initially marketed with Fire OS and will receive Vega OS via update later.
In Spain, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select you can book now, but Amazon has not announced a specific date for Vega OS's arrival in the country. The company maintains Fire OS on its roadmap and continues working on new versions based on Android, so both systems will coexist for some time.
Regarding current models with Fire OS, There is no announcement of general migrationThe transition to Vega OS will depend on the device and market, and Amazon will prioritize compatibility and app catalog stability.
Fire TV Stick 4K Select: hardware and price
Amazon's new stick plays 4K Ultra HD and is compatible with HDR10 + (without Dolby Vision). It has 8 GB storage, dual-band Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 for accessories such as headphones, speakers or controllers.
In the entertainment section, the device supports cloud gaming services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming and Amazon Luna, which will be activated in the Vega OS ecosystem. The controller maintains the dedicated Alexa button for voice control.
The price starts from about $40 in the US and in Spain it is located around 54,99 Euros during the reservation phase. Although of course, it should be noted that This is the introductory price and may vary in the future. The key will be in the update to Vega OS and how the application catalog in the coming months
Vega OS raises an ambitious bet: Gain speed and consistency at the expense of dispensing with Android and sideloading. Success will depend on convince developers to feed the store and a clear display by country and model; in the meantime, each user will have to calibrate whether they prefer performance and simplicity or a more open ecosystem.
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