Amazon says Vega OS will not substitute Fireplace OS on its Fireplace TV units

Ever since Amazon launched its new Linux-based TV working system, Vega OS with the brand new Fire TV Stick 4K Select, many questions have arisen about the way forward for Fire OS, its Android-based working system that has powered all its Fireplace TV units, together with its fashionable Fireplace TV Sticks, for over a decade.

Will the next-generation Fire TV Stick 4K Max run Vega OS? Will Amazon launch Vega OS on all future units? Whereas there is not a particular reply to those questions but, Amazon has confirmed to Pocket-lint that it plans to maintain supporting Fireplace OS, even after launching Vega OS on the 4K Choose. Amazon additionally states that it’s now a “multi-OS firm.”

“We’re a multi-OS firm, and Fireplace OS is not going wherever. Vega OS offers us the flexibleness to create premium experiences at each value level — notably on smaller, extra reasonably priced units that run on low reminiscence footprints, but additionally on bigger units operating advanced AI applications resembling Alexa+,” an Amazon spokesperson informed Pocket-lint. “Creating and managing our personal working system lets us innovate throughout the entire tech stack inside our units the place we want it.”

What may the way forward for Fireplace OS seem like?

It is exhausting to think about Amazon’s next-generation Fireplace TV Sticks not operating Vega OS

So, whereas Amazon has confirmed that “Fireplace OS is not going wherever,” it has nonetheless not clearly said whether or not it plans to launch new units with it sooner or later. In my opinion, this assertion merely signifies that Amazon will maintain updating Fireplace OS units, regardless of the launch of Vega OS, which is smart since tens of millions of customers nonetheless personal Fireplace OS units and can for years to come back, and since it is nonetheless promoting tons of TVs and Fireplace TV Sticks with Fireplace OS put in.

The principle subject Fireplace OS is inflicting for Amazon now could be piracy. Not too long ago, Amazon has been under intense scrutiny attributable to its Fireplace TV Sticks getting used to observe pirated content material via third-party apps which were sideloaded onto the machine. Since Fireplace OS is Android-based, any machine operating it might sideload apps, making Fireplace TV Sticks fashionable for piracy.

In response to the criticism it has received for piracy operating rampant on its Fireplace TV units, Amazon introduced that it has began blocking apps from being sideloaded which might be “recognized as offering entry to pirated content material,” and it’s doing this in collaboration with the Alliance for Creativity and Leisure (ACE), a worldwide anti-piracy coalition.

Since Vega OS is Linux-based, it does not assist sideloading, and apps can solely be downloaded from Amazon’s official Appstore. This prevents piracy, in contrast to Fireplace OS. Subsequently, when the 4K Choose launched with Vega OS, many rumors advised it may mark the start of the top for Fireplace OS and that Amazon may substitute it. Nonetheless, Amazon’s newest assertion clarified that Vega OS is a part of its broader OS technique somewhat than a full alternative for Fireplace OS. My most important query now could be how lengthy this new “multi-OS firm” technique will truly final.

In its assertion, Amazon says Vega OS permits it to “create premium experiences” on “smaller, extra reasonably priced units that run on low reminiscence footprints.” To me, that looks as if a nod to its Fireplace TV Sticks. I can think about a future, maybe a yr or two from now, the place Amazon continues to replace Fireplace OS to assist its “multi-OS” technique, however solely sells Fireplace TV Sticks with Vega OS. I discover it exhausting to consider Amazon will not replace the Fireplace TV Stick HD, 4K Plus, and 4K Max with Vega OS, particularly contemplating the problems with piracy on Fireplace OS.

For the reason that launch of the Fireplace TV Stick 4K Choose with Vega OS, I’ve persistently considered it as an “experiment” by Amazon. By this, I imply I believe Amazon is figuring out all of the quirks that Vega OS has now on the 4K Choose, resembling not supporting VPN apps and the necessity for builders to construct new apps for it. As soon as Vega OS is extra full and extra apps can be found on it, I believe Amazon is more likely to launch up to date variations of the Fireplace TV Stick HD, 4K Plus, and 4K Max. Once more although, that is merely hypothesis on my half, and is not confirmed by Amazon in any respect.

For now, Amazon insists Fireplace OS “is not going wherever” and it’ll proceed supporting each Vega OS and Fireplace OS. Whereas Fireplace OS could also be round for some time nonetheless, the actual query is whether or not Amazon will truly launch new Fireplace TV Sticks and TVs with it, and that I discover exhausting to consider sooner or later attributable to its ongoing efforts to fight piracy.