Amazon will begin transitioning Fire TV devices from Android to its own Vega OS later this year, according to a report, requiring developers to build new apps from scratch.
We first heard about Amazon's Vega OS plans in late 2023.
While some Echo devices already use Vega OS, no Fire TV devices have adopted it yet. However, that could change in 2025.
- "Amazon continues to pursue a transition away from Android for its TV hardware: The company plans to release a first TV streaming device powered by its still-unannounced Vega OS later this year and has been courting major publishers to bring their apps to the platform, I’ve been able to confirm with sources familiar with the company’s plans as well as through a number of leaks," reported Janko Roettgers for Lowpass.
All apps must be rebuilt
Fire TV currently supports Android apps after UI tweaks and users can sideload Android apps. However, the switch to Vega OS will break compatibility with all existing apps, requiring streaming providers to develop new apps from the ground up. Porting is not supported at this time.
Some developers are already on board.
- "I’ve been able to confirm that Paramount, Rakuten and the BBC’s UKTV subsidiary are among the publishers building TV apps using the Kepler SDK," wrote Lowpass.
We also expect Amazon's own apps, such as Prime Video, to be available.
Apps currently available for Fire TV will have to be rewritten. Photo: Amazon.
Streaming devices first, TVs later?
Earlier this year, Amazon updated its developer documentation to confirm that Fire TV will move to Android 14, which is likely related to Fire TV... TVs from partners such as Panasonic.
In other words, it is likely that Amazon will make the switch to Vega OS in streaming sticks and boxes first, while Fire TV-branded TVs will continue running on Android for now.
- Source: Lowpass
