Amazon is reportedly working on a major overhaul for its future Fire TVs, smart displays, and other devices by removing the Android core and replacing it with a new Linux-based operating system known internally as “Vega”. The news was reported by veteran journalist Janko Roettgers for Lowpass, citing multiple sources with knowledge of Amazon’s plans, along with job listings and other materials supporting the alleged move.
According to Roettgers, Amazon has been considering this transition for years, with the company discussing the idea with chipmakers as far back as 2017. The report suggests that Amazon has devoted significant resources to the project, with “hundreds of people” in Amazon’s Device OS group working on the software. Additionally, it was revealed that Zibi Braniecki, a former Mozilla engineer, joined Amazon in 2022 and is reportedly involved in the development of the new operating system.
While a specific release timeline was not provided, the report stated that most of the OS development has been completed, and Amazon is now focusing on preparing a software development kit (SDK) and planning incentives to entice developers to invest in the new platform.
If these reports are accurate, the move to a Linux-based OS would allow Amazon to break away from its reliance on Google’s Android Open Source Project, which currently underpins the company’s Fire OS. This dependency has caused Amazon’s software to lag several generations behind the most recent Android versions. For example, the current Fire TV software is based on Android 9, an update that is five years old. By transitioning to Vega, Amazon could also streamline its OS, possibly eliminating underlying bloat that is unnecessary for its smart-home devices.
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One key aspect of the new Linux-based Vega operating system is its use of React Native for app development. React Native, created by Meta, is a popular framework that allows developers to use a single codebase for building apps for both iOS and Android platforms. By adopting React Native, Amazon hopes to streamline cross-platform app development for its devices.
It is important to note that the report did not explicitly mention whether the new OS would eventually support Fire tablets, which currently run on Android and can access the Google Play Store for a wide variety of apps. However, the transition to Vega is expected to be a clean break from Android for all new Amazon devices, designed to run on a wide range of hardware products, including car infotainment systems and other future hardware offerings.
In conclusion, if these reports are accurate, Amazon’s transition to a new Linux-based operating system could represent a significant shift in the company’s device ecosystem. By replacing the Android core with Vega, Amazon aims to modernize its software infrastructure, potentially bringing it in line with current industry standards while also enhancing the development and user experience for its customers. Only time will tell if these alleged plans come to fruition and how they will impact Amazon’s product lineup in the future.
