Amazon to Debut Linux-Based Vega TV OS on Streaming Device in 2025: What to Expect

Seattle, WA April 18, 2025 — Amazon is reportedly preparing to launch its long-anticipated Vega TV OS on a new streaming device this year, signaling a major shift away from its long-standing reliance on Google’s Android-based Fire OS. According to industry sources cited in the latest Lowpass newsletter by tech journalist Janko Roettgers, the new Linux-based operating system is poised to take center stage in Amazon’s smart home entertainment ecosystem.

Vega TV OS to Replace Fire OS in Streaming Lineup

Amazon’s current TV streaming lineup, including Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Cube, operates on Fire OS, which is built atop Android. However, internal efforts have been underway to develop Vega TV OS—a Linux-based alternative with the goal of reducing dependency on Android and offering a more customizable and controlled user experience.

The first Vega OS-powered device is expected to be a TV streaming adapter, similar to the Fire TV Stick, with a release timeline pegged for late 2025. While the company hasn’t made an official announcement, leaked job listings and insider reports indicate that Amazon has been assembling a dedicated development team and reaching out to major streaming service providers to ensure app support for the new platform.

A Strategic Ecosystem Shift for Amazon

Amazon’s shift toward Vega OS is part of a broader effort to diversify its software portfolio. The company is also reportedly considering replacing Android on smart speakers, smart displays, and in-car infotainment systems with Vega OS in the future. The move would grant Amazon tighter control over software updates, app distribution, and user data privacy, positioning it more competitively against rivals like Apple tvOS, Google TV, and Roku OS.

Amazon is also working on a Kepler SDK, designed to help developers build apps for the Vega OS environment. A vibrant app ecosystem will be vital for the platform’s success, with Amazon already engaging major platforms to ensure early adoption and support.

What’s Next for Fire OS?

Despite this pivot, Fire OS isn’t going away overnight. Developer documentation reveals that Amazon is still rolling out Fire OS versions based on Android 14, suggesting a gradual transition. It’s likely that smart TVs, such as those co-branded with Toshiba and Insignia, will continue using Fire OS until the Vega OS platform matures.

As Vega TV OS gears up for its debut, the tech community is watching closely to see how this bold step into a Linux-based future will redefine Amazon’s position in the smart entertainment space.