Amazon Fire TV update kills off a cool secret feature for cord cutters

Date:
Wed, 02 Mar 2022 11:40:05 +0000

Description:
A workaround for customizable Amazon Fire TV homescreens is being patched out.

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If youre an Amazon Fire TV Stick owner (or, in fact, a user of basically any Amazon streaming device, from Fire TV Cube to straight up TV set), youre likely about to lose a cool feature you may never have realized you had.

Amazon is rolling out updates to its Fire TV devices that will block the installation of custom launchers on its devices. In other words, Amazon is stamping down on tools that will allow you to use the Amazon Fire TV gadgets with customisable interfaces that would not otherwise ship with Amazons gear.

According to AFTVNews.com , there are a handful of Fire OS updates which are rolling out and pulling the plug on the home screen tweaks.

Fire OS 7 version 7.2.7.3 (PS7273/2622) will kill custom launcher use on the 2nd-gen Fire TV Cube, Fire TV Stick 4K Max , 3rd-gen Fire TV Stick, and Fire TV Stick Lite .

The Fire OS 6 version 6.2.8.7 (PS6287/3768) will do the same for the original Fire TV Cube, Fire TV Stick 4K and third-generation Fire TV (the so-called Pendant version that hangs behind a TV from a HDMI cable).

In addition, a change to the Fire OS 5, version 5.2.8.7, is thought to do the same to second-generation Fire TV Stick, original Fire TV Stick, and 2nd-gen Fire TV. Though this has yet to be confirmed, its likely that Amazon will
want to plug every possible gap during this crackdown. Analysis: Why custom launchers are a no-go for Amazon

One of the most enticing things about Amazons TV devices is their price
point. For a few bucks (and literally pocket change come Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday ), you get responsive and capable streaming devices that open
you up to the wealth of content that the likes of Netflix , Disney+ and Amazons own Prime Video services have to offer.

But theres a hidden cost here these devices are only so cheap because Amazon expects to subsidize them through purchases in its interface. Whether youre renting or buying a new movie or boxset, or scrolling past an advertisement
on its homescreen, the Amazon Fire TV interface is packed full of opportunities to put money in Amazons coffers. Thats before considering the valuable data it harvests based on your interests and viewing habits.

And so, any attempt to circumvent this money-making portal for Amazon is
going to be squashed out as soon as possible. By running on a forked version of Android, Amazon Fire TV devices open themselves up to the intrepid
tinkerer looking for a back door to increased functionality through the base code that the interface is built on. And while Amazons interface may not be the prettiest or simplest, its in the company's best interest to protect it.

In other words, enjoy those custom launchers while you can they wont be
there for much longer. How to pick the best Amazon Fire TV device for you



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/amazon-fire-tv-update-kills-off-a-cool-secret-f eature-for-cord-cutters/


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