Future Fire TV Stick won’t be able to run Android apps or sideload them, according to Amazon. Even downloading and installing authorized apps won’t be possible.
This is due to the fact that it is moving all streaming devices to its own Vega OS software, which is cloud-based and will no longer allow customization.
The new Fire TV Stick HD, which will be available at the end of April, is powered by the same software that was initially put on the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select, which was released last year.
Because Vega OS is completely cloud-based rather than hosting streaming apps on the device itself, services like Netflix and Disney+ are installed on a remote server, including the front end, so you can access the full experience—not just the content—through an internet connection.
It is comparable to the Titan OS smart TV system used by Philips and a few other manufacturers, as well as the most recent TiVo platform, which is present on several smart TVs and the Manhattan Aero Freely TV box.
The advantage is that all streaming services are updated remotely and you always have access to the most recent version because you don’t need to download and run apps yourself. Additionally, your TV’s or device’s processing power is not as crucial because it is simply needed to handle the video stream smoothly.
Additionally, it helps Amazon maintain low prices for new Fire TV Stick releases, particularly in light of the current RAM chip crisis.
You have much less control over what you do with your device, which is a drawback. Some people use Fire TV Sticks to run services that aren’t normally supported by sideloading their third-party apps. The Select and next HD Fire TV Sticks, as well as any other upcoming variants, are not capable of doing that.
The information was discovered onAmazon’s developer site (via Cordbusters): “All future Fire TV Sticks will run on Vega,” the operating system box-out states.
That will undoubtedly annoy some people, but the change always seemed inevitable given the recent crackdown on the illicit usage of Fire TV Sticks (with content piracy being a serious problem).
However, it has to be seen if it has an impact on the broader consumer market.
