Despite reports of Amazon transitioning Fire TV from Android to Vega OS, it has been confirmed that some Fire TVs will soon run Android 14.
In November 2023, rumors surfaced that Amazon planned to replace Android—the foundation of all Fire TV devices—with its own Linux-based Vega OS.
Vega OS debuted in the Echo Show 5 and Echo Spot, but it has yet to appear on any Fire TV Sticks or TVs.
Fire TV with Android 14
Amazon has updated its developer documentation (link) to confirm that Fire TV will transition to Android 14. This ensures users can still sideload Android apps and access other features.
Fire OS 8 is currently based on Android 11. Upgrading to Android 14 will enable new system-level features, including the standardized refresh rate switching introduced with Android 12.
However, as noted by AFTVNews, Amazon appears to be shifting how it references Fire OS and Android.
- "It’s notable that, throughout the extensive documentation, Amazon never once calls the new Android 14-based operating system 'Fire OS.' Instead, it consistently refers to it as an 'Android 14-based Fire TV.' This terminology persists even when the document lists it alongside previous versions, as seen in the following example: 'Users might run your app on a Fire OS 5, Fire OS 6, Fire OS 7, Fire OS 8, or Android 14-based Fire TV'," wrote AFTVNews. "I may be reading too much into this, but it seems Amazon might reserve the “Fire OS” name for a future operating system derived from its Vega OS for Fire TV devices."
It would make sense for high-end TVs, like Panasonic’s new OLED Fire TVs, to remain on Android due to customizations and added features.
Panasonic recently switched to Amazon's Android-based Fire OS. Photo: FlatpanelsHD
Transitioning to 64-bit
Most current Fire TV and Google TV devices still run 32-bit OS versions. Future Android 14-based Fire TVs will be exclusively 64-bit, requiring apps to be 64-bit compatible. 32-bit apps will no longer work
This transition will necessitate better hardware, including more RAM.
Amazon's long-term plans for Vega OS remain unclear.
- Source: AFTVNews
