Amazon has silently introduced its own operating system, Vega, on the latest Echo Show 5, sparking speculation about the tech giant’s plans to shift away from Android. Janko Roettgers, in his Lowpass newsletter, initially revealed Amazon’s development of Vega, predicting its debut on Fire TV devices and later on other products like smart displays.

Surprisingly, Zatz Not Funny! discovered that the new OS is already in use on the Echo Show 5, identified as “OS 1.1,” deviating from the anticipated Fire OS. The Echo Show 8, in contrast, currently operates on Fire OS 7.5.6.1. Despite the fresh platform, Vega’s interface mirrors the familiar look and feel of the replaced Fire OS.

Roettgers, through insider information and Amazon job postings, outlined the advanced stage of Vega’s Linux-based development. Amazon reportedly informed certain partners about the impending transition away from Android, a foundational element of its Fire OS software until now.

This shift implies a restart for Amazon, requiring developers to create new versions of popular streaming apps tailored specifically for Vega. However, the popularity of Fire TV, with over 200 million devices sold globally, may incentivize developers to adapt.

Controlling the entire OS would empower Amazon to extract more advertising revenue from Fire TV and other products. It also allows the company to maintain and update the software at its own pace, unlike Fire OS and many Android-powered devices that often lag behind in adopting the latest Google platform versions. However, concerns are emerging among Fire TV owners about potential drawbacks, such as the removal of power user features like sideloading.

During its fall hardware event, Amazon showcased the latest Fire TV OS features, including advanced conversational voice search powered by AI and an aggregated “continue watching” row spanning various streaming services. The company also expanded its Ambient Experience, displaying widgets and glanceable information when Fire TV streaming products are idle.