Amazon says Vega OS will not change Hearth OS on its Hearth TV units

Ever since Amazon launched its new Linux-based TV working system, Vega OS with the brand new Fire TV Stick 4K Select, many questions have arisen about the way forward for Fire OS, its Android-based working system that has powered all its Hearth TV units, together with its in style Hearth TV Sticks, for over a decade.

Will the next-generation Fire TV Stick 4K Max run Vega OS? Will Amazon launch Vega OS on all future units? Whereas there is not a particular reply to those questions but, Amazon has confirmed to Pocket-lint that it plans to maintain supporting Hearth OS, even after launching Vega OS on the 4K Choose. Amazon additionally states that it’s now a “multi-OS firm.”

“We’re a multi-OS firm, and Hearth OS is not going anyplace. Vega OS provides us the flexibleness to create premium experiences at each worth level — notably on smaller, extra reasonably priced units that run on low reminiscence footprints, but additionally on bigger units working complicated AI applications reminiscent of Alexa+,” an Amazon spokesperson instructed Pocket-lint. “Creating and managing our personal working system lets us innovate throughout the entire tech stack inside our units the place we’d like it.”

What might the way forward for Hearth OS appear to be?

It is exhausting to think about Amazon’s next-generation Hearth TV Sticks not working Vega OS

So, whereas Amazon has confirmed that “Hearth OS is not going anyplace,” it has nonetheless not clearly acknowledged whether or not it plans to launch new units with it sooner or later. In my opinion, this assertion merely implies that Amazon will hold updating Hearth OS units, regardless of the launch of Vega OS, which is smart since hundreds of thousands of customers nonetheless personal Hearth OS units and can for years to come back, and since it is nonetheless promoting tons of TVs and Hearth TV Sticks with Hearth OS put in.

The principle problem Hearth OS is inflicting for Amazon now’s piracy. Not too long ago, Amazon has been under intense scrutiny resulting from its Hearth TV Sticks getting used to look at pirated content material via third-party apps which were sideloaded onto the system. Since Hearth OS is Android-based, any system working it could possibly sideload apps, making Hearth TV Sticks in style for piracy.

In response to the criticism it has received for piracy working rampant on its Hearth TV units, Amazon introduced that it has began blocking apps from being sideloaded which are “recognized as offering entry to pirated content material,” and it’s doing this in collaboration with the Alliance for Creativity and Leisure (ACE), a world anti-piracy coalition.

Since Vega OS is Linux-based, it would not assist sideloading, and apps can solely be downloaded from Amazon’s official Appstore. This prevents piracy, in contrast to Hearth OS. Due to this fact, when the 4K Choose launched with Vega OS, many rumors instructed it might mark the start of the top for Hearth OS and that Amazon would possibly change it. Nevertheless, Amazon’s newest assertion clarified that Vega OS is a part of its broader OS technique somewhat than a full alternative for Hearth OS. My important query now’s how lengthy this new “multi-OS firm” technique will truly final.

In its assertion, Amazon says Vega OS permits it to “create premium experiences” on “smaller, extra reasonably priced units that run on low reminiscence footprints.” To me, that looks as if a nod to its Hearth TV Sticks. I can think about a future, maybe a 12 months or two from now, the place Amazon continues to replace Hearth OS to assist its “multi-OS” technique, however solely sells Hearth TV Sticks with Vega OS. I discover it exhausting to imagine Amazon will not replace the Hearth TV Stick HD, 4K Plus, and 4K Max with Vega OS, particularly contemplating the problems with piracy on Hearth OS.

Because the launch of the Hearth TV Stick 4K Choose with Vega OS, I’ve constantly considered it as an “experiment” by Amazon. By this, I imply I believe Amazon is figuring out all of the quirks that Vega OS has now on the 4K Choose, reminiscent of not supporting VPN apps and the necessity for builders to construct new apps for it. As soon as Vega OS is extra full and extra apps can be found on it, I believe Amazon is prone to launch up to date variations of the Hearth TV Stick HD, 4K Plus, and 4K Max. Once more although, that is merely hypothesis on my half, and is not confirmed by Amazon in anyway.

For now, Amazon insists Hearth OS “is not going anyplace” and it’ll proceed supporting each Vega OS and Hearth OS. Whereas Hearth OS could also be round for some time nonetheless, the actual query is whether or not Amazon will truly launch new Hearth TV Sticks and TVs with it, and that I discover exhausting to imagine sooner or later resulting from its ongoing efforts to fight piracy.