VegaOS Isn’t Taking Over Fire OS, For Now
Amazon has clarified that its newly introduced VegaOS will not take the place of the current Android-based Fire OS on its streaming devices. Although VegaOS has been launched on the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, Amazon assures customers that Fire OS will still operate its mainstream Fire TV models.
The company has been tackling piracy issues associated with sideloading on Fire TV devices. Recent findings indicated that Fire TV devices were a major source of illegal sports streams in the UK, leading Amazon to limit piracy-related applications, including those installed outside the Appstore. This enforcement has already commenced in Germany and France, with plans for further expansion.
VegaOS is tailored for lower-end hardware, guaranteeing seamless app functionality and user experience. While speculations indicated that Amazon might discontinue Fire OS, the company claims it is a “multi-OS company” and has no intentions of replacing Fire OS. Instead, VegaOS is meant to support Fire OS, not supplant it.
Amazon has not revealed if VegaOS will extend to additional Fire TV models or higher-end hardware, which could affect sideloading features on future devices. For the moment, Fire OS continues to be the primary operating system for Amazon’s streaming devices, although this may change down the line.
