Amazon is phasing out Firestick's Android-based Fire OS in favor of locked-down, Linux-based Vega OS

[TonyR]

Although announced almost a year ago I just ran across this and thought I'd post it since it will have some negative impact for many people. "Change" and "new" is not always a good thing in some respects.

More info here => Is Amazon phasing out Firestick?

 

[IAmATeaf]

A Vega OS stick came out a few months ago so be warned, in the UK its called a Select stick and the only mention of Vega OS is in the reviews left by owners who discovered too late

 

[OD1]

Streaming hardware certified by content providers is all locked down to a large extent before you even get fact that all of it is designed for data harvesting.

You’re better off getting your streaming hardware and your content from AliExpress.

 

[IAmATeaf]

Streaming hardware certified by content providers is all locked down to a large extent before you even get fact that all of it is designed for data harvesting.

You’re better off getting your streaming hardware and your content from AliExpress.

Would you risk it with the reports of supposed malware baked into some of the devices?

I’ve got 3 firestick 4k max sticks and right now they do what we want, think it’s the free tv crowd where their apps are blocked that are all up in arms.

 

[Tinman]

I dumped all my FireTV devices on Ebay while they still have some value. They are so slow compared to the new TV's built in streaming services. Normally I hang on to that stuff and end up throwing it in the trash

 

[OD1]

Would you risk it with the reports of supposed malware baked into some of the devices?

I’ve got 3 firestick 4k max sticks and right now they do what we want, think it’s the free tv crowd where their apps are blocked that are all up in arms.

What malware? Literally the entire Firestick/Roku/GoogleTVs are malware. Those entire purpose is to extract as much of your data as possible. They don't make their money on the hardware. Also, they maliciously bypass your network's DNS preferences. AliExpress boxes are typically unlocked and accept AOSP or any other open TV platform. You actually own them. Only problem is US content providers will either not allow you to use their services or degrade your experience to protect their content. That probably leads a lot of people to also buy questionably-licensed streaming content from China.

Think of the difference being Dahua vs Ring.