Amazon is backing its own system for Fire TV

Amazon is planning a significant change – it intends to abandon Android in Fire TV devices and switch to its own operating system, named Vega OS. The aim is to become independent from Google and build its own ecosystem of apps and services. The first devices with the new system are expected to hit the market later this year.

It's worth adding one important clarification: the current Fire TV devices do not operate on Android TV or Google TV – it's a completely different version of the software. Amazon has been using what's called Fire OS for years, which is actually based on Android but is heavily modified and does not utilise Google services, such as the Play Store. It's a bit like having the same foundation, but with a completely different facade and interior.

Vega OS – what is it?

The new Amazon system, Vega OS, is based on Linux and will not work with applications written for Android. In simpler terms – you can't just transfer current applications like Netflix or YouTube to the new platform. Everything will have to be created from scratch, using a new tool called Kepler SDK. This is a significant challenge, but Amazon believes it will pay off.

Is Fire TV without Android a good idea?

Amazon is already in talks with major players, and some – like Paramount, Rakuten, and UKTV – have agreed to prepare apps specifically for Vega OS. There will also be no shortage of Prime Video apps. The question is what giants like Netflix, Disney, etc., will do... If their apps don't appear at launch, new devices may find it very difficult. And we know this all too well from the early days of the Philips operating system known as TitanOS.

Initially, Vega OS will appear in streaming devices and set-top boxes. TVs with Fire TV from manufacturers like TCL (yes, in the US, TCL uses not only Google TV but also Amazon's system) or Panasonic are currently sticking with Android TV 14.

Does Vega OS stand a chance of catching on? It depends – on the quality of the first devices and on how many app developers Amazon can persuade to its vision.