Amazon is set to roll out a substantial free upgrade for select Fire TV Stick models to enhance user experience. The update brings a fresh look with modern interface design, updated typography, redesigned color gradients, and improved homescreen layouts. Users can expect faster navigation, with performance enhancements of up to 30 percent while browsing menus.
Aside from visual improvements and speed boosts, the update allows users to pin up to 20 apps on the homescreen, a significant increase from the previous limit of six. Access to Games, Art & Photos, and the Ambient Experience has been made more convenient via the Menu button on the remote.
Amazon introduces a new shortcut panel accessible by long-pressing the Home button, offering quick access to essential Fire TV controls like audio and display settings. Alexa+, an upgraded assistant, will also be introduced in the UK later this year to enhance content discovery.
In addition to the Fire TV Stick update, Amazon is revamping the Fire TV mobile app to enable content browsing, watchlist management, and direct playback on TVs. The redesigned app mirrors the updated Fire TV interface, turning smartphones into a second screen for easier content discovery and watchlist management on the go.
The update will roll out in the U.S. first, with other regions receiving it later this year. Initially, the new 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 expand to more devices and countries, including the latest Fire TV 4K streaming media players, in the coming months.