# **Amazon and Android: Is Fire OS Truly Steering Away from Google’s Platform?**
Amazon’s Fire OS has consistently been a distinctive entity within the Android landscape. Although it is rooted in Google’s Android Open Source Project (AOSP), it functions autonomously, with Amazon substituting Google services with its own offerings. Nonetheless, recent information has hinted that Amazon might be detaching from Android entirely, especially concerning its Fire TV devices. Yet, emerging signs imply that Android could still have a place in Amazon’s framework.
## **Amazon’s Intricate Connection with Android**
Amazon has relied on Android as the basis for its Fire OS, which powers Fire tablets, Fire TV devices, and other smart gadgets. However, in contrast to conventional Android devices, Fire OS does not include Google Play Services or the Google Play Store out of the box. Instead, Amazon has established its own app store and ecosystem, prompting users to depend on its services.
This strategy has enabled Amazon to craft a more regulated and tailored experience for its users. However, it has also spurred speculation regarding whether Amazon would ultimately shift away from Android completely, particularly as the corporation has been advancing its own software platforms.
## **Rumors of Amazon Abandoning Android**
In 2023, reports emerged that Amazon intended to substitute Android on its Fire TV devices with a new operating system, potentially dubbed “Vega OS.” Such a move would represent a substantial transformation for Amazon, as it would entail breaking away from Android’s base and constructing an entirely independent platform.
The conjecture was intensified by Amazon’s choice to shift its Echo smart displays to Vega OS, indicating a broader evolution in its software strategy. Many speculated that Fire TVs would follow this trend, leading to the eventual sidelining of Android-based Fire OS.
## **New Indications Suggest Android 14-Based Fire OS is Underway**
Despite earlier reports, fresh findings imply that Amazon may not be parting ways with Android just yet. According to **AFTVnews**, Amazon’s developer documentation includes references to an **Android 14-based version of Fire OS** for Fire TV devices. This revelation suggests that Amazon is still developing Android-based software, at least for the time being.
A support document titled **”Developing for Amazon Fire TV Devices Running Android 14″** outlines details about the forthcoming adjustments and enhancements in Fire OS founded on Android 14. The document states:
> “Android 14-based Fire TV is based on API level 34. The following sections explain some of the important changes that you should consider when you build apps for Android 14-based Fire TV.”
This indicates that Amazon is actively preparing developers for an Android 14-based Fire OS update, which could apply to existing Fire TV devices or new hardware rolling out in the future.
## **Implications for Fire TV Users**
At present, no Fire TV devices operate on Android 14, and Amazon has not officially confirmed an update. Nonetheless, the mention of Android 14 in developer documentation implies that Amazon is contemplating an update for upcoming Fire TV models.
Should Amazon launch an Android 14-based Fire OS, it would ensure ongoing support for Android applications and services on Fire TV devices. This would bode well for developers and users who depend on Fire OS while still desiring access to Android-based apps.
## **Will Amazon Eventually Shift Away from Android?**
While the new revelations indicate that Fire OS will remain rooted in Android for the time being, Amazon’s long-term intentions remain ambiguous. The company has already begun transitioning a portion of its devices to Vega OS, and it could potentially be progressing towards a gradual separation from Android.
However, completely disengaging from Android poses considerable challenges. Android offers a well-established infrastructure accompanied by a vast app ecosystem, and replacing it with a new operating system would necessitate Amazon persuading developers to back a wholly new platform.
For now, it appears that Fire OS will continue to be grounded in Android, at least concerning Fire TV devices. Whether Amazon will ultimately supplant Android with Vega OS is yet to be determined.
## **Conclusion: Android Persists (For the Time Being)**
Despite previous assertions suggesting that Amazon was steering away from Android, new findings reveal that an **Android 14-based Fire OS is in the works** for Fire TV devices. While Amazon may have long-term aspirations to shift to a different operating system, Android remains an integral part of its ecosystem for now.
For Fire TV users and developers, this implies sustained support for Android-based applications and services. However, it is prudent to monitor Amazon’s future actions, as the company could still be strategizing a broader move away from Android in the years to come.
Do you prefer Fire OS to stay Android-based, or do you believe Amazon should forge its own independent platform? Share your thoughts in the comments!
