Amazon has been working on an in-house replacement for its Android-based Fire OS, codenamed "Vega."
Image: Google
Vega is built for easier app development and uses the popular JavaScript-based React Native as an application framework.
Image: Google
Vega would replace the Fire OS on Fire TV sticks, televisions, Kindle Fire tablets, and other Amazon devices.
Image: Google
Fire OS is a fork of Android, but Amazon has been frustrated with the technical debt and is pushing toward an in-house solution.
Image: Google
Vega could start shipping on Fire TV devices as early as next year and could eventually be used on Echo smart displays, Fire tablets, and other Amazon devices.
Image: Google
Amazon's decoupling from Android has larger implications, as Google previously sought to enforce a clause preventing the use of Android forks.
Image: Google
Amazon and Google struck a deal allowing Fire TV manufacturers to continue making TVs with Android TV and Fire TV systems.
Image: Google
Abandoning Android removes the ability for tinkerers to side-load the Play Store and other Google services onto Fire tablets.