The Amazon Fire TV experience is taking on a new look with a few thoughtful UI changes and smart features that look genuinely exciting. Amazon says the experience will come in the form of a free update, even though it’s announcing a new TV, too.
According to a press release from Amazon, the Fire TV launcher is getting a makeover. The company references data that users spend more than 10 minutes deciding what to watch, which seems to be the fuel behind some of these changes. The overarching theme looks to be “ease of use,” which seems to be a good foundation for this update.
One of the biggest and superficial changes will alter the homescreen and category menus. Amazon says it will prioritize movies and content from apps the user already uses, instead of content from unfamiliar sources. For example, shows from Disney+ might appear more often if the user has a subscription and visits often, omitting options from lesser-used catalogs.
It also looks like the design language has been updated with different layouts and new typography. Apps on the homescreen have more rounded corners, and the design looks a bit fresher. Up to 20 apps can now be pinned to the Amazon Fire TV homescreen, instead of the 6-app limit prior.
Amazon says that it’s improved the Fire TV OS’ code, too. It claims speed increases of up to 30% have been recorded. Whether that makes it into real-world use is yet to be seen, but an improvement at that amount would be immediately felt by Fire TV users.
Some of these changes are said to be leaking into the mobile app, which is reportedly redesigned as well.
Amazon is using the Fire TV redesign to announce a new art TV, as well. The Ember Artline is a 4K QLED framed TV with Dolby Vision and HDR10+. It apparently comes in at 1.5 inches thin, taking up next to no space on the wall.
Just like some other TVs coming out, Amazon’s Ember Artline will use ambient sensors to detect those nearby to wake and sleep. In Google TV’s case, presence sensing is used to wake and show relevant information. It’s a cool feature to see, and Amazon’s new TV will shockingly only cost $899 and up.
The TV will also act as an art display, obviously. It has a matte screen and a wooden frame with integration through Amazon’s photo library.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, 4K Max (2nd gen), and Fire TV Omni Mini-LED series will get the new UI first. Amazon notes that other devices will see the update “later this spring.”
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