Amazon has just introduced Vega OS, its new operating system for entertainment devices, kicking things off with the Fire TV Stick 4K Select. This streaming stick comes with Vega installed and aims to enhance your viewing experience.
Many new Fire TVs also use a version of Android, so developers face a challenge supporting both systems. Some major publishers are cautiously waiting to see how things unfold with Vega before committing to it.
To make sure the Fire TV Stick 4K Select launches with popular apps, Amazon has a backup plan. It will stream the Android versions of apps that are not yet available on Vega directly from the cloud. Melanie Garvey, an Amazon spokesperson, states that developers will continue to have their existing apps cloud-streamed while they work on native versions.
Amazon has released documentation for developers, focusing on transitioning apps to the new Linux-based Vega, which uses React Native for app development. There’s also information on the Amazon Cloud App Program, which allows existing Fire TV apps to run on Vega devices. If your app meets certain criteria, it can be streamed using cloud app technology.
Interestingly, cloud streaming isn’t a new concept. Ten years ago, companies like ActiveVideo used cloud streaming to bring internet video apps to less capable cable TV boxes. Recently, Synamedia launched a dongle that relies entirely on cloud streaming.
Amazon’s own Luna gaming service has successfully used cloud streaming for games, but it seems that gaming apps are not part of the Vega cloud-streaming plan just yet. However, both Luna and Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass are set to join the Fire TV 4K Select soon after its launch.
This Vega OS announcement comes nearly two years after initial whispers about the project. Amazon has sold around 300 million Fire TV devices, indicating a large existing user base that developers will need to support on Android.
The shift to Vega OS may take time. Major TV manufacturers usually work on long hardware cycles, which could slow down the integration of Vega into new TVs. Amazon acknowledges this balancing act, noting they will continue to launch new features on Fire OS while also exploring Vega’s potential.
In a parallel trend, recent surveys reveal that consumers increasingly prefer devices that offer flexibility and access to a broader range of services, especially as home entertainment evolves. This suggests that Amazon’s dual-OS strategy might resonate well with users.
For more insights and technical details, check out Amazon’s developer documentation on Vega OS.
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