Originally published at: Vega OS Will Be Introduced to Fire TV Devices in 2025
It appears as though Amazon will implement its in-house “Vega Operating System” on various Fire TV devices sometime this year. After much speculation and various internet leaks, a Lowpass journalist has confirmed plans to transition away from the Android Operating System that currently runs on Amazon streaming devices. We reported on this back in 2024,…
4 Likes
Miki
2
Without sideloading then that would be the end of Firestick devices for the cord cutting community. I think the Onn 4K Pro pretty much slowed the Amazon streaming device market to a halt anyway.
9 Likes
Agreed..I have 4 older firesticks, and I use only one of them now. I bought 3 Onn boxes when I was in Maine last year( can’t buy them in Canada), and I treated myself to an Nvidia Sheild before that. It will be interesting to see how, if at all, Amazom reacts to the certain decline in the use of their devices.
3 Likes
Avid08
4
Onn devices are not readily
available in most parts of the world.
1 Like
We really need to know if they’re still going to (also) produce any higher end devices (like a Cube) on the traditional Android/Fire OS? They’ve already stated they are going to launch a new line of Fire TVs off of Android 14.
2 Likes
I understand they were forced to keep an Android based FireOS to appease their TV partners like Toshiba etc. but splitting their ecosystem will be a major headache for them and their customers.
This rollout will be interesting to watch. We have a FireCube 3 that performs well, but I can’t see purchasing another Fire streaming device unless they have something up their sleeve.
2 Likes
Crawdaddy - I’m in Canada too .. just did a quick search (as I’m on Firesticks, as well)
Isn’t this the ONN box?
1 Like
Yes it is…a lot pricier but that’s it!
1 Like
Does anyone know if existing fire sticks will be forced to upgrade to this operating system?
1 Like
From what we understand, absolutely not. All existing Fire TV devices will remain on Android-based OS.
6 Likes
Thanks for your question. That was the one I wanted answered!
4 Likes
@Miki do you prefer the One 45 Pro or the Buzz P6L (you mentioned I a previous post?
Just wondering. it looks like if my Firesticks eventually die, I’ll have to replace them with something else. All I need is IPTV, and movies, no gaming.
Miki
15
I would never buy or use an ONN. I have the Buzz P6L 256 Ultimate and the Ugoos SK1. The P6L is expensive but wow does it ever work well. Love this box.
1 Like
AMD237
17
The Onn box series aren’t for everyone, but boy they are for a lot of us. They are dependable and very economical to purchase . They do everything most of us need it to do. Still, the only one worthy of being a main box in your household is likely the Pro. But the rest (other than the stick) are good for bedrooms, dens etc. We need them now more than ever with this dumb decision from Amazon to completely destroy its streaming market.
9 Likes
This move on Amazon’s part will only alienate those of us who are using “unverified” streaming sources. I suspect the vast majority of Fire Stick users are totally unaware of “the dark side” and are using them for 100% legit, pay-thru-the-nose streaming sources. They’re clueless!
3 Likes
AMD237
19
Whether Firestick users utilize the streaming device for verified or unverified streaming, not being able to sideload isn’t just taking away unverified apps. It will take away cleaners, your choice of browser, file explorers etc etc etc that are 100% legal but not in the Amazon store. I don’t know of many people who want that lack of flexibility, especially if most other devices DO allow you to do that.
4 Likes
People who run in our circles are more technically savvy and demand more from their devices but your average Joe doesn’t know about cleaners, file explorers, etc. They buy a fire stick, install the apps for the services they’ll use, link said apps to their subscriptions, and start streaming. It would be interesting to know, of all the fire sticks in use around the world right now, what percentage have developer options enabled. We’ll never know but I’ll bet it’s small.
3 Likes
