Fire OS 6
Underlying Android codebase: Android 7.1 Nougat
Current version: 6.3.0.1. It was released in November 2018
Initial version: 6.2.1. It was released in October 2017
Fire OS 5
Underlying Android codebase: Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
Current version: 5.6.3. It was released in November 2018
Initial version: 5.0. It was announced in September 2015 and began rolling out shortly after.
Fire OS 5 is the broadest version of the OS in use, widely targeted at Fire TV devices. Fire OS 5 also refreshed the visual look of Fire OS and moved to a more grid-based look over the previous “carousel” interface.
Fire OS 5 has been updated to support these features:
- Support for USB mass storage devices on Fire TV to expand capacity.Speed reading feature: Word Runner.Support for connecting to Wi-Fi with web authentication. For example, at airports and hotels.Enhanced parental controls with FreeTime browser.Support for using Bluetooth headphones with Fire TV.Support for Prime Music Playlists.Support for sleep or mirroring shortcuts for Fire TV from remote.
Fire OS 4
Underlying Android codebase: Android 4.4 KitKat
Current version: 4.6.6.1
Initial version: 4.1.1
Android 4.0, called Ice Cream Sandwich brought support for various sized devices such as Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD 7, and Kindle Fire HD 8.9, all of which were released in 2012.
Fire OS 4 added support for these features:
Fire OS 3
Underlying Android codebase: 4.1 Jelly Bean
Current version: 3.5.1
Initial version: 3.5.0
Early Fire OS
Underlying Android codebase: 2.3 Gingerbread
Current version: Unknown
Initial version: 2.3.0
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