Amazon is rolling out a significant upgrade for select Fire TV Stick models to enhance user experience. The update includes a modernized interface with refreshed typography, redesigned color gradients, and improved layouts on the homescreen. Users can expect faster navigation, with performance improvements of up to 30 percent when moving through menus.
In addition to visual enhancements, users can now pin up to 20 apps on the home screen, an increase from the previous limit of six. Access to Games, Art & Photos, and the Ambient Experience has been streamlined through the Menu button on the remote. A new shortcut panel accessible by long-pressing the Home button provides quick access to frequently used Fire TV controls like audio and display settings.
An upgraded assistant named Alexa+ is also being introduced, aiming to improve content discovery by making it quicker and more intuitive. This enhanced Alexa experience is set to launch in the UK later this year.
Amazon is not only updating the Fire TV Stick but also revamping the Fire TV mobile app to allow users to browse content, manage watchlists, and play titles directly on their TVs. The redesigned app serves as a second screen, enabling users to discover new shows or add recommendations to watchlists remotely while maintaining the same updated Fire TV interface.
The update will first roll out in the U.S. and later expand to other regions. Initially, the new Fire TV features will be available on the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen), and Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series in the U.S., with plans to extend availability to more devices and countries, including the latest Fire TV 4K streaming media players in the upcoming spring.