Report suggests Fire TV may get Linux-based OS

Could Fire TV switch to Linux? Vega OS rumors raise developer concerns. Discover details about the possible new OS, its capabilities, and the challenges of app development

Amazon’s Fire TV currently operates on Fire OS, which is built on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), a stripped-down version of commercial Android provided by Google. A recent job listing from Amazon for a “Fire TV Experience Software Development Engineer” suggests that the company could be in the process of creating its own operating system.

As per an aftvnews report, Amazon’s job description suggests that the chosen candidate will oversee “implementing and delivering features on the Fire TV client codebase during its shift from FOS/Android to native/Rust and React Native.” However, the job listing was later removed, indicating that the company may have filled the position.

Multiple reports indicate that Amazon could unveil a new Fire OS built on its proprietary Linux-based operating system, known as “Vega OS.” This updated OS is expected to provide a more cohesive experience across various devices, including Fire TV Stick, Fire Tablets, Fire TV Edition, and even Alexa Echo Show devices, all of which currently operate on a customized version of Fire OS. In this context, Amazon’s primary challenge will be to encourage app developers to create native apps for this new platform.

Vega OS, Amazon’s upcoming in-house operating system, reportedly utilizes the React Native software framework, known for its open-source nature and cross-platform compatibility. This decision enables Amazon to create a feature-rich and efficient operating system tailored to specific use cases.

At present, Fire OS 8 stands as the latest operating system built on AOSP, and the upcoming Fire OS 9 could be built on Vega OS. This potential shift to a new OS may accompany the release of future Amazon hardware, including upcoming Fire TV devices. However, existing devices may not receive this new software update. Nevertheless, the company is expected to maintain support for Fire OS 8-powered devices until they reach the end of their lifecycle.