• Source:JND
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Amazon just pulled back the curtains on Vega OS, a fresh operating system for its Fire TV devices that’s an entirely new software platform compared to the Android-based setup that so many Fire TVs have run on for years. Fire TV Stick 4K Select will be the first device to run Vega OS, delivering advanced streaming functionality and enhanced performance to Amazon’s widely adopted streaming environment.

What Vega OS Brings to Fire TV

Amazon is yet to announce the full feature set, but some people who have had hands-on time with Vega OS are reporting it’s a lot faster, more reliable and has better streaming than existing android-based Fire OS versions. The interface supposedly looks much like the present Fire OS UI, which will be familiar to those already in Play with Amazon hardware, but with a few improvements.

Amazon highlights several key advantages of Vega OS:

High-quality streaming: Vibrant 4K picture quality with HDR10+ support.

Faster app launches: Apps reportedly open more quickly than before.

Wide content access: Includes support for Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and Apple TV.

Gaming support: Compatible with Xbox Cloud Gaming and Amazon Luna.

Alexa+ integration: Enhanced voice controls for smarter navigation and home automation.

Vega OS on the Fire TV Stick 4K Select features a stripped-down 1GB RAM, demonstrating a low CPU and resource-heavy setup isn’t required to achieve performance.

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Limitations and App Support

While it is better, there are still some restriction in Vega OS. Unlike its Android-based Fire OS counterpart, it does not allow for sideloading of apps or access to the wider Android ecosystem. Apps can only be downloaded from the Amazon App store, potentially limiting access to some third party applications.

This limitation does reveal the downside of Vega OS’ attempts to simplify the Fire TV experience, though: it stays within Amazon’s walled garden, prioritising security and predictable performance over broad app compatibility.

Availability and Pricing

Fire TV Stick 4K Select is now available to pre-order on Amazon in the US. Priced at just $39.99, it is an affordable option as compared to other options in midst of its competition segment. The device should be running on Vega OS but there is no word from the company if it plans to bring Fire TV TVs powered by Vega OS in India just yet.

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The move is a sign that Amazon will be working to further solidify the platform with their own software, so it not only performs well on every device and offers its users a better experience on Fire TV hardware across the globe but also one that they have more control over, security-wise.

Bottom Line

Vega OS sees Amazon make a fairly confident move away from Android, with the company’s focused intentions to provide an experience that is faster and more reliable along with offering a visually captivating streaming experience. For users, that means smooth 4K streaming and better app experience—thanks to Alexa+ integration unlocked by the new chip—even while growing accustomed to an even more curated app world. In the meantime, early adopters in the U.S. can now pre-order the Fire TV Stick 4K Select to get their hands on Vega OS first, and we'll have to wait and see if Amazon rolls this out further too.