Fire TV: Amazon revamps user interface and app

Amazon's Fire TV devices, including the smartphone app, will receive a revised user interface starting in February. The update is also intended to enable more responsive operation.

Inspired by Google TV?

According to the company, the new user interface is intended to be more clearly structured – Amazon seems to have taken inspiration from the competition. Because it is somewhat reminiscent of Google TV. In its announcement, Amazon speaks of improved layouts, rounded corners, redesigned color gradients, updated typography, and optimized spacing.

Furthermore, Amazon has not only visually revamped the user interface but also revised the underlying code “to accelerate the user experience.” According to the company, speed increases of 20 to 30 percent in operation have been observed.

Instead of installed apps in the center of the screen, the upper part of the view features tabs for search, the home screen, and other categories such as movies, series, sports, and more. Content from all active subscriptions is summarized in the various tabs, so you no longer have to search in individual apps.

With the new design, Amazon is also increasing the number of apps that can be pinned to the home screen: instead of just 6, up to 20 are now possible. The order of the apps can also be arranged according to your preferences. Moreover, the “Fire TV experience” is now intended to be “much more than just an app launcher.” By pressing the menu button on the remote control, you can access games, art & photos, and the “Ambient Experience” more quickly.

In addition, Amazon has added a quick access panel that users can open by long-pressing the Home button on the remote control. This provides quick access to the most frequently used Fire TV controls, including audio and display settings, connected Ring cameras, and smart home device management.

According to Amazon, the new AI assistant Alexa+ will also be integrated into the new Fire TV operating system. With this, it will be possible to search for content, retrieve updates and statistics on sports results, and adjust connected smart lighting and thermostats. Amazon has not yet announced when the function will be rolled out nationwide in Germany. Currently, the company only offers a beta phase for selected users.

Mobile App

In addition to the redesign of the Fire TV interface, Amazon has also revised the Fire TV app for smartphones. According to the manufacturer, the app will no longer serve solely as a replacement remote control; in the future, users will also be able to search for content, add movies and series to their personal watchlist, and select titles they want to play on the TV.

According to Amazon, the new design of the Fire TV user interface will be rolled out in the course of February. First, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd generation), and the Fire TV Omni Mini LED TV series will receive the free update.

In the course of spring, the latest generation of Fire TV 4K streaming media players and TVs will follow. These include, for example, the Fire TV 2 series, the Fire TV 4 series, and the Fire TV Omni QLED series and TVs. TVs from Amazon partners such as Panasonic, Hisense, TCL, and Insignia will also receive the update. The Ember Artline TV devices announced at CES come with the new software pre-installed.

heise online is an official media partner of CES 2026

(afl)