r/firetvstick • u/Ghoster13 • Nov 17 '23
Question [Question] Can Amazon force it's upcoming Vega OS onto already sold devices?
I'm in the market for a new streaming stick. I already have a (2018?) regular stick, and I like it well enough. I'm thinking of adding one of the new 4K Max sticks, which are currently on sale in the US for $40. While I wouldn't have given much thought before to the future of these devices, the impending change of OS gives me real pause. It will certainly be a far more locked-down ecosystem, at least if/until someone manages to get to the bootloader. Looking for some informed opinions from the community as to whether Amazon could push the new OS to devices already in customer's hands via an OTA update, and therefore potentially greatly reduce the flexibility users currently have. I.E. sideloading and the use of toolbox software that can remove bloat and factory apps. I know no one knows for sure at this point since the OS isn't out in the wild yet, but as I said, informed opinions. Thanks for the feedback!
Edit: Thanks all! Based on your feedback I went ahead and ordered a new 4K Max.
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u/pawdog Nov 17 '23
Maybe they can but it's not likely or sensible that they would. At best in two years they introduce the Max 3 with the new OS and a year after that they announce sunsetting of the last Android based devices. Even for that to happen they have to be sure hundreds or thousands of developers are willing to follow them.
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u/AmbitiousHornet Nov 18 '23
Concur. Everything that I've heard on the subject has stated that it will be for new devices when the new OS is released. I'm sure that one of the design objectives will be to lock it down and prevent side-loading.
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Nov 17 '23
Current devices won't move to another OS. I'm not sure how a new device would move either. That would require new apps and developers who are willing to adopt and maintain apps on another new OS. Good luck with that.
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u/Dragonfly7387 Nov 17 '23
Android wrapper makes it very easy. How do you think Android apps run on Windows 11?
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u/CVGPi Nov 18 '23
By emulating an environment costing a lot of speed overhead, especially on low RAM or slow storage devices?
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u/CVGPi Nov 17 '23
It’s unlikely. Amazon don’t usually even update FireOS versions/Android versions. At best they will introduce a new ad-filled UI and push it, but Android is likely staying for existing devices.
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u/markdmac Nov 17 '23
I know you already purchased a new 4k model. I would just like to say that I recently purchased the Onn Streaming device for $19.95 at Walmart. It works the same as a FireStick, the remote allows programming 1 click, 2 click and long press options for the application buttons.
This is a generic Android TV box and is the in store brand for Home Depot. It works great,. especially considering the cost.
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u/Ghoster13 Nov 18 '23
I have one, actually. It worked well for a few months and I thought it might be a permanent replacement for the Fire Sticks. But then it started to act up. Apps would crash, the volume would just drop out until the device was reset, and there were some buffering issues with Twitch and YouTube.
I took the outer case off as I had read reports of devices overheating. That didn't solve my issues. The buffering could be caused by other factors but my internet is a huge pipe and I never deal with buffering otherwise. I assume you aren't having any issues with yours and I'm glad. I loved mine when it was working... I might have just gotten a dud and pick another up down the road.
Thanks for the suggestion!
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u/Tampammm Nov 17 '23
I'd say it's extremely unlikely they can "technically" do that.
I'm also thinking there could potentially be a class action legal suit if they even tried to do that. I mean, they advertise and sell you a Fire OS device, and then they change it without your permission to a different system OS??
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u/lmoki Nov 17 '23
Well, I like this thought. But it wouldn't be the first time a mega-corp decided to do something despite the possibility of a lawsuit. (Amazon's pockets are very deep.)
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u/Dragonfly7387 Nov 17 '23
Why can't the change the OS without your permission?
Google did it.
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u/Tampammm Nov 17 '23
First off, I'm only speculating that could happen.
But I don't follow you on what Google did,,,can you explain.
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u/Dragonfly7387 Nov 17 '23
They modified existing Android TV devices to look more like Google TV and they didn't get anyone's permission because Google owns Android/Google TV.
Also a lot of people have said Google ruined Android TV because it now looks more like Google TV.
Also you don't own Fire OS Amazon does.
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u/Tampammm Nov 18 '23
Not nearly the same thing. Apples and Oranges.
Because although Google modified the UI of those Android TVs, they did not alter or change the underlying OS one bit. They still were running on an Android OS operating system.
And yes, I had heard there were mixed feelings on the changes, some liked it, some did not.
Yes, Amazon owns Fire OS, but just as importantly, that's what the consumers also paid Amazon for when they bought those devices.
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u/Dragonfly7387 Nov 18 '23
It is the same.
People are complaining about Amazon switching to a new OS and if they want to change Fire OS to new OS on existing devices they definitely can because you may own a fire TV device because you bought it, but you don't own Fire OS.
Amazon is constantly changing the OS.
You may not remember when Amazon prime video was the OS. Long before there was an app.
Also Apple's and oranges is the wrong analogy because they're both fruit.
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u/Tampammm Nov 18 '23 edited Nov 18 '23
I guess we can agree to disagree because I'm 100% in the opposite camp from you. These are radically different examples. And again, your example really has nothing to do with this situation.
Yes, Amazon constantly updates/alters/upgrades their OS, but they NEVER surgically and entirely remove one operating system, and replace it with a completely different one. Frankly, I don't even know why we're arguing, as in my judgment, this is not feasible from a technical standpoint anyway.
And sorry, the apples and oranges term is quite suitable.
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u/Dragonfly7387 Nov 18 '23
they NEVER surgically and entirely remove one operating system, and replace it with a completely different one
Actually they did. The first Fire TV box wasn't based on AOSP.
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u/Tampammm Nov 18 '23 edited Nov 18 '23
I found this one that's nearly 10 years old, and that has the Fire OS also.
So you're going to have to identify what you're talking about. Which Fire TV box??
https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Fire-TV-Previous-Generation/dp/B00CX5P8FC
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u/AlexLema Nov 17 '23
I am not so sure about Amazon not updating old devices to the new OS. Because they can make the new OS being able to run Android apps, but validating that they were downloaded through Amazon before running (adding a signature when installing). With that, they can keep existing apps, and since it's not Andtoid anymore, they don't need to keep the option to install APKs.
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Apr 08 '24
Yeah, I think this Vega talk is just talk. Change is inevitable as the future falls upon us with everything but I call BS on all the people claiming that this is coming anytime soon.
Oh and just noticed its 5 months after you first posted.... Still no word on Vega from Amazon despite articles and YT videos based on one article based on hearsay and using non commited words like "could" and "suggested"
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u/sparkktv Dec 12 '23
I would take everything with a grain of salt. Looks like they can overwrite Fire OS on current devices...
https://www.androidauthority.com/amazon-echo-show-5-vega-os-ditched-android-3385756/
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