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This is a complete Operating System so no it cannot update your present firestick.
However Amazon have already thought of that one with thier new Automatic offload, found in applications sub directory of the settings.

This just looks like they will, supposedly, offload any applications you have not used for a while and take up storage space
Being cynical I am assuming they will do this for side loaded apps first. After all they already track which apps have been used on an ongoing basis.

If you want security then donā€™t use Amazon, given they really do not care about your security in any of thier products, take Blink as a prime candidate for that.

On another note the ONN box in the UK is over twice the price it is in the USA, probably because the only source is Ebay.

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You can turn off the offload feature if you want. The new Vega OS is linux based and the main reason for moving away from a heavily forked Google OS is because itā€™s become so heavily bloated and linux is much more compact and efficient, saving space and allowing for superior security against malware etc.

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I should have added you can turn that off, but given people may not know, it is a good point.

As regards Google OS (which is in itself Android), which is an abstraction layer sat on the Linux OS, then yes cutting out the layer will always make sense, when you have a software team that can create a tailored layer for your device.

However Android was intended to appeal to companies that could create something quickly and was compatible with many other devices. This in turn encouraged others to write apps that would in essence generate income for non-company writers.

This is the way forward for companies not wanting to let any other company have a say on their hardware and thus control the currency stream.

I guess it just like Apple having their software to go on Apple hardware.

I certainly wonā€™t be buying any more Amazon hardware, given both thier lack of security and the propensity for changing things that are not added bonuses to thier customer base.

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I think one of the main things that will delay the release of Vega will be the need for devs to switch gears and program their apps for linux. But they may get there one day. Google or FireOS theyā€™re just the same when it comes to security and bloatware. None of it worries me I focus on a device and learn as much as I can and if it gets me what I want then Iā€™m in. Iā€™ve never had a problem with Amazon or google, unlike Windoze which I gave up a long time ago. Have a Merry Chistmas. :christmas_tree: :gift:

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Thatā€™s my question also. I have a couple of fire sticks. Iā€™m a side loader ā€¦

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Like the present OS I doubt the ability to side load apps will be blocked. Amazon needs the developers to test apps on their devices. I doubt theyā€™ll block a free pool of labour.

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The new OS can still be given tiered access to user level sideload - only given with react native dev packages? I wonder if thatā€™s a possibility?

Amazon is a company that never is content relying on someone elseā€™s IP. Android has always been perceived as a gap fill until the can implement their own in-house OEM OS. They probably have to pay out license fees for every Android OS update and it doesnā€™t rub well for the bean counters.

Fire OS is still a forked version of Android 9. Current version of Android is 14.

Much of the success of Vega will ride on how easily they can leverage current and future devs, currently in their app store, to re-engineer current apps and future apps to work with Vega. Granted, if they leverage using the react native framework as a bridge for the transition, this may help their cause.

Regardless - this seems like a lot of investment and change for devices, especially their fire hardware, that doesnā€™t provide convincing enough bulletpoints to attract streamers anymore. There are other alternatives now where price point, user flexibility, and compatibility can be had - and itā€™s not titled Amazon.

For existing Fire owners, no changes will likely happen (or any time soon) to your devices - continue to enjoy what youā€™ve been used to. For future upgrades on your roadmap - just consider one of the other FS/TV alternatives until new Vega devices make enough of a convincing argument why you should jump in.

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The key to Amazonā€™s success in this endeavor is Advertising! Amazon basically controls the narrative. Especially for inexperienced users. Amazon already has a huge base of sheeples. These people, for the most part, ONLY know Amazon and probably are not too interested in broadening their knowledge. They just want a simple and easy way to stream content. For these types, a one stop shop is all they want and need.

Think of the millions of Amazon users out there worldwide. To Amazon this change is to capture their base and make it more confusing for them to ditch the stick. Itā€™s like a sports team changing the name of the club. Same club, different name, but the fans keep cheering on. Amazon hopes its fans continue to cheer on.

Bezos Devil Bat - Made with Clipchamp

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Yea it doesnā€™t bode well for amazon device users,but watch out for google as well.They are experimenting with built in ads on the home screen.I despise that.

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Amazon job listing confirms that Fire TV is dropping Android-based Fire OS | AFTVnews

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Amazon confirms that Fire TV is dropping Android

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Speculative, but likely:

ā€œWhat does this mean for the millions of Fire TV devices currently in use? Probably very little. As it is, Amazon doesnā€™t bother updating Fire TV devices from one major version of Fire OS to another (e.g., Fire OS 7 to Fire OS 8) so it seems extremely unlikely that any existing Fire TV device will be updated from Fire OS to Amazonā€™s new non-Android operating system. Instead, Amazon will most likely release a future new Fire TV model that runs only its new operating system.ā€

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I guess my question is how will this affect Android OS users (non FS)?

Will Amazon apps still be compatible on an Android device? Or will they slowly phase them out too?

I am not knowledgeable on any of this. Maybe it will have no affect at all but Iā€™m just curious if anyone sees Amazon app restrictions on other OS.

My guess is no since they still want as broad of an viewing audience as possible even if it means still allowing Apple and Android to have apps. But they all want total control too.

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New Fire TV Operating System Rolling Out on Select Devices, Confirming Shift Away from Android ā€“ The Streamable

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:red_circle:AMAZON BLOCKS SIDE LOADING (CONFIRMED !) (youtube.com)

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image1671Ɨ949 101 KB

LOLā€¦told you that is where he was heading!

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that will be the end of there firestick sales talk about shooting yourself in the foot :rofl:

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time to buy shares in nvidia shield

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YOU will COMPLYā€¦ or maybe not :roll_eyes:

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Maybe Troy knew this when he started recommending cheap china boxes instead of fire devices :zipper_mouth_face: :joy:

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Itā€™s just a matter of time before all the major OS follow suit. They want a monopoly only Amazon approved, and Google approved apps will be allowed to exist on their operating systems.

However, I am sure some enterprising young developer will figure out a workaround.