Fire OS explained

Fire OS
Fire OS
Collapsible:no
Developer:Amazon
Programmed In:C (core), C++,
Family:Android (Linux)
Working State:Current
Source Model:Based on the Android Open source project,[1] with Proprietary software & Proprietary components[2]
Latest Release Version:
  • Fire OS 7.3.2.9 for 8th-11th generation devices / ?, 2024
  • Fire OS 8.3.2.4 for 12th generation devices[3]
Latest Release Date:?, 2024
Marketing Target:Budget/Low priced tablet/phone market,
Members of the Amazon Ecosystem
Package Manager:APK
Supported Platforms:32-bit and 64-bit ARM
Kernel Type:Monolithic (modified Linux kernel)
Userland:Bionic libc,[4] mksh shell,[5] native core utilities with a few from NetBSD[6]
Ui:Graphical (Multi-touch)
License:Proprietary EULA; based on Apache License 2.0[7]
Modified Linux kernel under GNU GPL v2[8]

Fire OS is a mobile operating system based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). It is developed by Amazon for their devices. Fire OS includes proprietary software, a customized user interface primarily centered on content consumption, and heavy ties to content available from Amazon's storefronts and services.[9]

History

Amazon began referring to the Android derivative as Fire OS with its third iteration of Fire tablets. Unlike previous Fire models, whose operating system was described as "based on" Android, Fire OS 3.0 was described as "compatible with" Android.

Fire OS 5

Based on Android 5.1 "Lollipop",[10] it added an updated interface. The home screen has a traditional application grid and pages for content types, as opposed to the previous carousel interface. It also introduced On Deck, a function that automatically moves content out of offline storage to maintain storage space for new content; the Word Runner speed reading tool; and screen color filters. Parental controls were enhanced with a new web browser for FreeTime mode featuring a curated selection of content appropriate for children, and an Activity Center for monitoring children's usage.[11] [12] [13] It removed support for device encryption, which an Amazon spokesperson stated was an enterprise-oriented feature that was underused. In March 2016, after the removal was publicized and criticized in the wake of the FBI–Apple encryption dispute, Amazon announced it would restore the feature in a future patch.[14] [15]

Fire OS 6

Based on Android 7.1.2 "Nougat", its main changes and additions include:[16]

MediaTek exploits (2019)

In early 2019, security exploits for six Fire Tablet models and one Fire TV model[17] were discovered that could allow temporary root access, permanent root access, and bootloader unlocking[18] [19] due to security vulnerabilities in multiple MediaTek chipsets.[20] [21] [22]

Fire OS 7

Based on Android 9.0 "Pie",[23] it was released in 2019 for all 8th-11th generation Fire tablets.

In February 2022, Amazon announced that the Docs app would be replaced (in August 2022) by document creation functionality in the Files app; and introduced an improved home editing system.[24]

Fire OS 8

FireOS 8 is the latest release of FireOS for 12th generation fire tablets, based on Android 11, information about the release became available via Amazon developer documentation around May 2022.

FireOS 8 incorporates changes from Android 10 and Android 11, such as TLS 1.3 support enabled by default, High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF) support, Dark mode, One-time permissions, Sharing improvements, Device auto backups (user needs to opt-in to device backups), etc.

Although it is noted in the Amazon developer documentation that some Android 11 features such as File Based Encryption (FBE) are not supported yet.[25]

Report of migrating away from Android

Around November 2023, a report surfaced of Amazon's plans to migrate away from Android to a custom Linux-based operating system known as "Vega". Apps will be HTML5 based, specifically using React Native. Amazon was reported to be developing the operating system since 2017, and planning to launch TVs running Vega OS in 2024. It is unclear on whether existing Android-based Fire TV devices will get replaced with Vega OS.[26] [27]

Features

Fire OS does not come with Google mobile services pre-installed; therefore, Amazon cannot use the Android trademarks to market the devices. Users are able to sideload the Google Play store;[28] however, full compatibility is not guaranteed if the app depends on Google services.[29]

Because Google services are not pre-installed, Amazon develops and uses its own apps in their place, some of which include Amazon Appstore, Amazon Alexa, Prime Video, Amazon Music, Audible, Kindle Store, Silk Browser, Goodreads and Here WeGo.[30] [31]

Fire OS uses a customized home screen (launcher). As of Fire OS 7.3.2.3, the launcher features three sections:

The OS features a multi-user system, which allows multiple people to set up and use separate user profiles.[32]

Along with Amazon Kids and Amazon Kids+, a suite of parental controls is included which allows parents to create managed child profiles,[33] set limits and set restrictions for minors.[34] [35]

Devices

Current Amazon devices running Fire OS:

Discontinued devices running Fire OS:

List of Fire OS versions

Fire OS version Base Android Version Android API level Compatible Devices Notes
1 10 Kindle Fire Reported as "Based on Android"
2 15 Reported "Based on Android"
3 17[36] [37] [38] Reported as "Compatible with Android"
4 19[39] [40] Fire HD (3rd generation), Fire HDX (2nd generation)
4.5.1 19[41] [42] [43]
5.0 22[44] Fire 7 (7th generation)
6 25[45] Fire HD 8 (8th generation), Fire 7 (9th generation)Devices shipped with Fire OS 6 were later upgraded to Fire OS 7 when Amazon abandoned development.
7 28[46] Fire 7 (9th generation), Fire HD 8 (8th generation), Fire HD 8/8+ (10 generation), Fire HD 10/10+ (11 generation)
8 11 (Red Velvet Cake [47]) 30 Fire 7 (12th generation), Fire HD 8 (12th Generation), Fire HD 10 (13th Generation), Fire Max 11 Some Android 11 features such as File Based Encryption (FBE) are not supported in Fire OS 8

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Philosophy and Goals . Android Open Source Project . April 21, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120501080416/https://source.android.com/about/philosophy.html . May 1, 2012 . dead.
  2. Web site: Google's iron grip on Android: Controlling open source by any means necessary . Ars Technica . December 8, 2013.
  3. Web site: Fire Tablet Software Updates. Amazon.
  4. Web site: libc – platform/bionic – Git at Google. android.googlesource.com. March 3, 2021.
  5. Web site: master – platform/external/mksh – Git at Google. android.googlesource.com. March 3, 2021.
  6. Web site: toolbox – platform/system/core – Git at Google . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140209072904/https://android.googlesource.com/platform/system/core/+/master/toolbox/ . February 9, 2014 .
  7. Web site: Amazon Device Terms. Amazon . December 3, 2023.
  8. Web site: Licenses. Android Open Source Project.. Open Handset Alliance. September 9, 2012.
  9. Web site: 2023-03-01 . What is Fire OS? The Android operating system explained . 2024-06-13 . Trusted Reviews . en.
  10. Web site: Fire OS Overview . Amazon Appstore Developer Portal . Amazon.com, Inc. . November 20, 2021.
  11. Web site: What's new in Amazon Fire OS 5 Bellini?. Pocket-lint. September 17, 2015 . January 28, 2016.
  12. Web site: Amazon's Fire HD 10 tablet a rare misfire for company. Fortune. January 28, 2016.
  13. Web site: Feature-stuffed Fire OS update makes Amazon's tablets even more kid-friendly. PC World. January 28, 2016.
  14. Web site: Amazon quietly disabled encryption in the latest version of Fire OS. The Verge. March 3, 2016 . March 29, 2016.
  15. Web site: Amazon pledges to bring device encryption back to Fire OS this spring. The Verge. March 5, 2016 . March 29, 2016.
  16. Web site: September 13, 2021. Fire OS 6 for Fire Tablets. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210822133213/https://developer.amazon.com/docs/fire-tablets/fire-os-6.html. August 22, 2021. September 13, 2021. www.developer.amazon.com.
  17. Web site: Rapid Temporary Root for HD 8 & HD 10. September 13, 2021. XDA Forums. February 26, 2019 . en-US.
  18. Web site: Fire HD 8 (2018 ONLY) unbrick, downgrade, unlock & root. September 13, 2021. XDA Forums. January 27, 2019 . en-US.
  19. Web site: [UNLOCK][ROOT][TWRP][UNBRICK] Fire HD 8 2018 (karnak) amonet-3]. September 13, 2021. XDA Forums. September 2019 . en-US.
  20. Web site: March 2, 2020. Critical MediaTek rootkit affects millions of Android devices. September 13, 2021. xda-developers. en-US.
  21. Web site: Android Security Bulletin—March 2020. September 13, 2021. Android Open Source Project. en.
  22. Web site: Amazing Temp Root for MediaTek ARMv8 [2020-08-24]]. September 13, 2021. XDA Forums. April 17, 2019 . en-US.
  23. Web site: Fire OS 7 for Fire Tablets (Fire Tablets). November 11, 2021. https://archive.today/20211111203537/https://developer.amazon.com/docs/fire-tablets/fire-os-7.html. November 11, 2021.
  24. Web site: (Discord screenshot). February 25, 2022.
  25. Web site: Fire OS 8 for Fire Tablets. https://archive.today/20220520132604/https://developer.amazon.com/docs/fire-tablets/fire-os-8.html . May 20, 2022 . June 14, 2022 . live.
  26. Web site: Pandey . Rajesh . 2023-11-10 . Amazon is getting ready to ditch Android on its Fire hardware . 2023-11-26 . Android Police . en.
  27. Web site: 2023-11-09 . Amazon may drop Android and build its own next-gen smart home OS . 2023-11-26 . Android Authority . en.
  28. Web site: How to Install the Google Play Store on the Amazon Fire Tablet or Fire HD 8 . March 3, 2021 . How-To Geek. November 23, 2017 .
  29. Web site: Segan . Sascha . December 2013 . How To Run Free Android Apps On the Kindle Fire . PC Magazine.
  30. Web site: Here's What You Need to Know About Amazon's Fire OS. Lifewire. March 3, 2021.
  31. Web site: How the Kindle Fire Works. August 22, 2012. HowStuffWorks. March 3, 2021.
  32. Web site: How to add and switch profiles on an Amazon Fire tablet. Android Authority. March 19, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230319211527/https://www.androidauthority.com/profiles-amazon-fire-tablet-3233456/ . March 19, 2023 . live.
  33. Web site: Create a Child Profile on Your Fire Tablet. Amazon.com. March 19, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230319212014/https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G3MTGN25XVMNWTFX . March 19, 2023 . live.
  34. Web site: Hands On With Amazon Kindle FreeTime. PC Magazine. December 13, 2013.
  35. Web site: What are Parental Controls on Fire Tablet? . Amazon.com. March 19, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230319212522/https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G93XLZGRK98PQ9M4 . March 19, 2023 . live.
  36. News: Amazon's Kindle Fire UI: it's Android, but not quite . Sean . Hollister . September 28, 2011 . This Is My Next.
  37. Web site: Amazon confirms Kindle Fire HD models use Android 4.0 under the hood. Engadget. September 6, 2012 . December 13, 2013.
  38. Web site: Kindle Fire Device and Feature Specifications. Amazon developer portal. Amazon.com Inc.. December 18, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130115170158/https://developer.amazon.com/sdk/fire/specifications.html. January 15, 2013. dead.
  39. Web site: Updating Your App for Fire OS 4 – Amazon Apps & Services Developer Portal. October 22, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075002/https://developer.amazon.com/public/solutions/devices/fire-tablets/app-development/updating-your-app-for-new-kindle-fire-tablets. March 4, 2016. dead.
  40. Web site: What's new with Amazon's Fire OS 4.0 "Sangria"?. Henry. Wiygul. September 17, 2014. March 3, 2021. May 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210506200124/https://www.androidguys.com/news/whats-new-amazons-fire-os-4-0-sangria/. dead.
  41. Web site: Amazon begins rollout of Fire OS 4.5.1. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes. ZDNet.
  42. Web site: Amazon.com Help: Fire HD 6 (4th Generation) Software Updates. Amazon .
  43. Web site: SDK Platform release notes. Android Developers. March 3, 2021.
  44. Web site: Devices | Amazon Appstore Developer Portal. developer.amazon.com. March 3, 2021.
  45. Web site: Developing for Fire tablets. Amazon. November 21, 2018.
  46. Web site: Fire OS 7 for Fire Tablets. Amazon. October 30, 2019.
  47. Web site: Android 11 is codenamed Red Velvet Cake — but Google won't call it that. July 24, 2020 . June 14, 2022.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Fire OS".

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