A significant shift is underway in the world of streaming devices. Amazon is preparing to launch a new Fire TV Stick HD, marking only the second device in their lineup to move away from the familiar Android-based Fire OS.
This new stick will operate on Vega OS, a Linux-based system first seen on the Fire TV Stick 4K Select. Vega OS promises a smoother, more secure experience, but comes with a trade-off: it restricts users to apps available solely through Amazon’s official store, eliminating the option to sideload content.
Designed for seamless integration, the Fire TV Stick HD is engineered to connect directly to your television’s USB port, eliminating the need for a bulky power adapter. This streamlined approach results in a remarkably slim device, both in volume and width compared to previous iterations.
Don’t let the similar processor fool you. Amazon claims this new model boasts a 30% performance increase over its predecessor, translating to quicker startup times and faster app launches. This speed boost is further enhanced by the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for a more stable connection.
The device itself is subtly smaller, tipping the scales at just 35.8 grams. Visuals are crisp and vibrant, supporting content up to 1080p resolution, with compatibility for both HDR10 and HDR10+ standards.
However, the transition to Vega OS introduces a potential inconvenience. Utilizing USB storage with the new Fire TV Stick HD is more complex, requiring a separate Micro-USB-to-USB-A adapter due to a missing port on the device itself.
The new Fire TV Stick HD is anticipated to arrive before the end of the month and will be available for purchase at a price of $34.99. It includes a USB cable for TV connectivity, but notably omits the HDMI cable previously bundled with older models.
