Fire OS

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This article is about the Android based mobile operating system by Amazon. For the HTML5 powered operating system by Mozilla, see Firefox OS.
Fire OS
Developer Android Open Source Project (AOSP) code: Google
Modifications: Amazon
Written in C (core), C++, Java (UI)[1]
OS family Unix-like
Working state Current
Source model Proprietary software based on Open source Android[2] and in all devices with proprietary components[3]
Latest release Fire OS 4.6.4[4] / August 6, 2015
Latest preview Fire OS 5 Developer Preview[5] / June 19, 2015; 2 months ago (2015-06-19)
Marketing target Kindle Fire (tablet computers), Amazon Fire TV, Fire Phone
Package manager APK
Platforms 32-bit ARM
Kernel type Monolithic (modified Linux kernel)
Userland Bionic libc,[6] mksh shell,[7] native core utilities with a few from NetBSD[8]
Default user interface Graphical (Multi-touch)
License Proprietary EULA; based on Apache License 2.0
Modified Linux kernel under GNU GPL v2[9]
Official website developer.amazon.com/sdk/fireos.html

Fire OS is a Linux kernel-based mobile operating system produced by Amazon for its Fire Phone and Kindle Fire range of tablets, and other content delivery devices like Fire TV. It is forked from Android. Fire OS primarily centers on content consumption, with a customized user interface and heavy ties to content available from Amazon's own storefronts and services.

While the Kindle Fire line has always used customized distributions of Android, particularly 2.3.3, API level 10 (Kindle Fire) and 4.0.3, API level 15 (Kindle Fire HD), Amazon only began referring to the distribution as Fire OS beginning with its third iteration of Kindle Fire tablets, which includes the Fire HD 2nd generation and Fire HDX models. Unlike previous Kindle Fire models, whose operating system is listed as being "based on" Android, the Fire HDX "Fire OS 3.0" operating system is listed as being "compatible with" Android; Fire OS 3 is forked from Android 4.2.2.[10][11][12] In the Fire HD (3rd generation) and Fire HDX (2nd generation) tablets, Fire OS 4 is included that is forked from Android 4.4.2 (API level 19).[13][14] Since then Fire OS 4.5.1 update has been released,[15] and Amazon's OS said to be based on Android 4.4.3.[16]

Features[edit]

Fire OS uses a customized user interface designed to prominently promote content available through Amazon services, such as Amazon Appstore, Amazon Video, Amazon MP3, and Kindle Store. Its home screen features a carousel of recently accessed content and apps, with a "favorites shelf" of pinned apps directly below it. Sections are provided for different types of content, such as apps, games, music, audiobooks, and video among others. A search function allows users to search through their local content library or Amazon's stores. Similarly to Android, sliding from the top of the screen exposes quick settings and notifications. Fire OS also provides integration with Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter. X-Ray is also integrated into its playback functions, allowing users to access supplemental information on what they are currently viewing. On the Kindle Fire HDX and Fire Phone, an additional function called "Mayday" allows users to connect directly to a support agent for assistance via one-way video chat. Amazon claims that most Mayday calls would be answered within 15 seconds.[17][18][19] The OS features a user system, along with Kindle FreeTime, a suite of parental controls which allow parents to set time limits for using certain types of content.[20] Fire OS 4 adds support for Profiles to allow for sharing devices between multiple users, Advanced Streaming and Prediction that predicts the media the user will watch and prepares playback, Smart Suspend that saves battery and Firefly item scanning as found on the Fire Phone.

Fire OS devices are exclusively tied to Amazon's software and content ecosystems; they do not offer the Google Play native application or come pre-installed with any other of Google's proprietary apps or APIs, such as Google Maps or Google Cloud Messaging. Despite this, some software can be sideloaded from Google Play store, F-Droid, and other Android markets by accessing them through the browser and setting Apps from Unknown Sources to ON in the Applications settings.[21][22][23] In lieu of Google Maps, Fire OS offers Nokia's Here Maps with a clone of Google Maps API 1.0. As Fire OS is intentionally designed to be incompatible with Google's official Android compatibility standards, Fire OS devices do not include Google's proprietary software or use the Android trademarks. However, Google Play and other Android native apps can be installed by rooting the device and using various methods such as hacks or secondary ROM code, although this voids the warranty and Mayday services may not be available afterwards.[24][25][26][27] Some apps, such as Google Maps, will work by sideloading without rooting or voiding the warranty.[28]

Members of the Open Handset Alliance (which include the majority of Android OEMs) are contractually forbidden to produce Android devices based on forks of the OS, therefore Kindle Fire tablets are manufactured by Quanta Computer who is not an OHA member.[3]

List of Fire OS devices[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Android Code Analysis". Retrieved June 6, 2012. 
  2. ^ "Philosophy and Goals". Android Open Source Project. Google. Retrieved April 21, 2012. 
  3. ^ a b "Google’s iron grip on Android: Controlling open source by any means necessary". Ars Technica. Retrieved December 8, 2013. 
  4. ^ http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201531560
  5. ^ https://developer.amazon.com/public/community/post/Tx2EQ2T7R75R810/Announcing-the-Fire-OS-5-Developer-Preview
  6. ^ android/platform/bionic/
  7. ^ android/platform/external/mksh/
  8. ^ android/platform/system/core/toolbox/
  9. ^ "Licenses". Android Open Source Project. Open Handset Alliance. Retrieved September 9, 2012. The preferred license for the Android Open Source Project is the Apache Software License, 2.0. ... Why Apache Software License? ... For userspace (that is, non-kernel) software, we do in fact prefer ASL2.0 (and similar licenses like BSD, MIT, etc.) over other licenses such as LGPL. Android is about freedom and choice. The purpose of Android is promote openness in the mobile world, but we don't believe it's possible to predict or dictate all the uses to which people will want to put our software. So, while we encourage everyone to make devices that are open and modifiable, we don't believe it is our place to force them to do so. Using LGPL libraries would often force them to do so. 
  10. ^ Hollister, Sean (September 28, 2011). "Amazon’s Kindle Fire UI: it’s Android, but not quite". This Is My Next. 
  11. ^ "Amazon confirms Kindle Fire HD models use Android 4.0 under the hood". Engadget. Retrieved December 13, 2013. 
  12. ^ "Kindle Fire Device and Feature Specifications". Amazon developer portal. Amazon.com Inc. Retrieved December 18, 2013. 
  13. ^ https://developer.amazon.com/public/solutions/devices/fire-tablets/app-development/updating-your-app-for-new-kindle-fire-tablets
  14. ^ What's new with Amazon's Fire OS 4.0 "Sangria"?
  15. ^ http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201596860
  16. ^ http://www.zdnet.com/amazon-begins-rollout-of-fire-os-4-5-1-7000035906
  17. ^ "Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7 review". TechRadar. Retrieved December 13, 2013. 
  18. ^ Kevin Parrish. "Amazon Reveals Kindle Fire HDX Tablets, Fire OS 3.0 Mojito". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved September 25, 2013. 
  19. ^ Edwards, Luke. "Amazon Kindle Fire OS 3.0 Mojito: What is it and is it coming to my tablet?". Pocket-lint. Retrieved December 2, 2013. 
  20. ^ "Hands On With Amazon Kindle FreeTime". PC Magazine. Retrieved December 13, 2013. 
  21. ^ Brian Burgess (February 10, 2014). "How to install Google apps on Kindle Fire HD or HDX". GizMag. 
  22. ^ SASCHA SEGAN (December 2013). "How To Run Free Android Apps On the Kindle Fire". PC Magazine. 
  23. ^ Jason Fitzpatrick (December 27, 2013). "How to Sideload Apps onto Your Kindle Fire". How To Geek. 
  24. ^ Zayed Rehman (November 18, 2011). "How To Install Android Market & Google Apps On Kindle Fire". Addictive Tips. 
  25. ^ ARASH SOHEILI (January 2014). "How to Install Google Play Store on Kindle Fire HDX". Android Cowboy. 
  26. ^ Jonny Greenwood (November 4, 2014). "How to install Google Play on Kindle Fire". epubor. 
  27. ^ CARL PARKER (October 18, 2012). "How to install Google Play Store on the Kindle Fire HD". Android Authority. 
  28. ^ SASCHA SEGAN (December 2013). "How To Run Free Android Apps On the Kindle Fire". PC Magazine. 

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