In October, an Amazon representative said the company has no plans to update current Fire OS devices to Vega, German IT publication Heise Online reported.
Fire OS blamed for pirating
Before Vega, all of Amazon’s Fire streaming devices ran Fire OS, an Android fork based on the Android open source project, which often meant Fire devices ran older Android software. The move to Linux-based Vega OS makes it easier for Amazon devices to run more modern software. Vega also gives Amazon more control over how people use Fire devices, supporting features like Alexa+, its generative AI chatbot, and limiting the use of apps that cost the company money or host illegal content.
Sideloading apps has long been a common way for people to run apps outside of Amazon’s store – particularly those from the Google Play Store – or to limit Amazon advertising. This has allowed enthusiasts to extend the functionality of Amazon devices – for example, using a Fire tablet as a handy smart home controller.
However, perhaps of greater concern for Amazon is the sideloading of apps used to view pirated content. In the fall, Amazon began blocking apps that have been blacklisted by the Alliance for Creative and Entertainment, a global anti-piracy group.
Fire Sticks have long been criticized for potentially promoting theft. For example, a May report from media, entertainment and telecommunications research firm Anders Analysis claimed that the jailbroken Fire Stick enabled streaming piracy worth “billions of dollars.” Amazon has also faced pressure from various groups to crack down on piracy on its devices, including the Sky Sports UK soccer channel and the Premier League professional soccer league in England.
Many users won’t be affected by Amazon’s move to eliminate consumer sideloading on the Fire Stick. But those it impacts will be eager to explore rival streaming devices or develop potential solutions.
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