Amazon’s Fire TV platform has long been one of the most popular ways to stream, but it looks like the software underneath could be about to get a serious shake-up.
A report from 9to5Google has claimed that Amazon is preparing to announce ‘Vega OS,’ a new operating system that could eventually replace Android on Fire TV devices.
Vega OS enters the spotlight
Rumours of Amazon building its own OS have been around for years, but this latest report suggests an official unveiling is coming at the company’s September 30 event. A now-altered job listing from Amazon even referenced Vega OS directly, hinting at a 2025 launch.
The company has reportedly been testing Vega with major app publishers for some time, though the transition won’t happen overnight.
For now, existing Fire TV devices will continue running Fire OS (Amazon’s Android fork), with Android updates still being developed in parallel. In other words, current users won’t suddenly lose support, but new Fire TV hardware could soon look very different.
What it means for Fire TV
A shift away from Android is no small move. Amazon would gain more control over the Fire TV experience and no longer rely on Google’s foundations, but it also faces the challenge of rebuilding an app ecosystem from scratch. That means developers will need to optimise apps specifically for Vega, which could take time.
Interestingly, while Fire TV may be leaving Android behind, Amazon’s Fire Tablets are reportedly set to do the opposite as it moves closer to stock Android rather than its long-standing Fire OS. Lower-priced models could still use Vega, suggesting Amazon is hedging its bets depending on device category.
Amazon has invested heavily in Fire TV’s success, and a wholesale OS switch would be one of its boldest moves yet. Vega OS could give Amazon more flexibility and independence, but it also risks fragmenting the experience if developers aren’t quick to support it. Compared with the smoother continuity we’ve seen from rivals like Google TV or Roku, this could be a bumpier transition, though one worth watching closely.
