This Hearth TV leak blows Amazon’s worst-kept secret out of the water

Earlier this 12 months, it was rumored that Amazon can be shifting forward with plans to replace its current Android-based Fire TV OS, which powers not solely the retail large’s Hearth TV units but additionally its transportable Fire TV sticks, with a brand new custom-built working system code-named Vega constructed on Linux. Although we beforehand did not have any particulars with regard to how far alongside improvement may be on this new OS, it seems to be Amazon could also be able to roll out the crimson carpet for Vega sooner somewhat than later. The Verge studies {that a} recently-published (after which swiftly edited) job itemizing for a software program improvement supervisor mentions a 2025 launch for the Vega working system, that means we might be weeks and even simply days away from this huge change.

Whereas particulars stay beneath wraps, Vega is predicted to be very related in feel and look to Amazon’s present Android-based OS, with a content-first dwelling display screen that features recommended reveals, apps, and naturally, adverts. The overwhelming majority of streaming apps, together with Apple TV, Netflix, HBO Max, and extra are anticipated to launch alongside the brand new OS in order that Hearth TV system house owners can proceed streaming their favourite content material with out interruption.

An official announcement is predicted quickly and will occur as early as subsequent Tuesday at Amazon’s upcoming media occasion, which is rumored to not solely embody refreshed Hearth TV gadgets, but additionally new Kindles as well.

Might this be the tip of Hearth Stick-based piracy?

It is unclear how or if sideloading unauthorized apps might work on Vega

There are many causes for Amazon to ditch Android and develop its personal OS, however one massive contributing issue that’s probably going unsaid is the rampant piracy that occurs on Hearth TV Stick gadgets. Earlier this 12 months, a damning report was launched by Enders Analysis that confirmed Amazon’s Hearth TV Sticks facilitating “billions of {dollars}” price of streaming piracy. In an announcement to the BBC made on the time, Amazon pledged to proceed to crack down on piracy efforts, and whereas they have been in a position to block some outstanding piracy apps within the speedy wake of this revelation, the power to side-load content material by Android made these efforts pretty ineffective in the long run.

Nonetheless, with the brand new Linux-based Vega on the way in which, these unauthorized apps will not work on Hearth TV gadgets, and whereas the power to sideload could stay, the apps might want to rebuilt with a purpose to be appropriate with the brand new system, placing an nearly speedy halt to Hearth TV piracy.

Amazon has but to substantiate the existence of their new working system, even though we’ve known about it for awhile, but it surely appears more and more probably that Vega (or no matter title Amazon finally ends up going with for this new OS) shall be getting an official launch within the very close to future.