Amazon is rolling out a significant free upgrade for select Fire TV Stick models to enhance the user experience. The update includes a fresh design with a modern interface, updated typography, redesigned color gradients, and improved layouts on the homescreen. Users can expect a faster navigation experience, with performance improvements of up to 30 percent when browsing menus.
In addition to visual changes and speed enhancements, users can now pin up to 20 apps to the home screen, an increase from the previous limit of six. Amazon has streamlined access to Games, Art & Photos, and the Ambient Experience through the Menu button on the remote.
A new shortcut panel has been added, accessible by long-pressing the Home button, providing quick access to common Fire TV controls like audio and display settings. Amazon is also introducing Alexa+, an upgraded assistant, to the UK later this year, aiming to improve content discovery.
Alongside the Fire TV Stick update, Amazon is revamping the Fire TV mobile app to allow users to browse content, manage watchlists, and play titles directly on their TVs. The app will serve as a second screen, facilitating the discovery of new shows and adding recommendations to watchlists remotely.
The update will start rolling out in the U.S. soon, with plans to expand to other regions later this year. 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 more devices and countries set to receive the update in the upcoming months, including the latest Fire TV 4K streaming media players.