Amazon is rolling out a significant free upgrade for selected Fire TV Stick models to improve the user experience. The update includes a refreshed design featuring a modern interface with updated typography, redesigned color gradients, and improved layouts on the homescreen. Users can expect faster navigation, with performance enhancements of up to 30 percent when moving through menus.
Besides visual changes and speed boosts, users can now pin up to 20 apps on the home screen, up from the previous limit of six. Access to Games, Art & Photos, and the Ambient Experience has been simplified through the Menu button on the remote. A new shortcut panel accessible by long-pressing the Home button provides quick access to essential Fire TV controls.
One key addition is Alexa+, Amazon’s upgraded assistant, set to launch in the UK later this year. The enhanced Alexa experience aims to facilitate quicker and more intuitive content discovery. Alongside the Fire TV Stick update, Amazon is updating the Fire TV mobile app to allow users to browse content, manage watchlists, and play titles directly on their TVs, mirroring the updated Fire TV interface.
The app will transform smartphones into a second screen, aiding in discovering new shows or adding recommendations to watchlists while away from home. Amazon has confirmed that the app will remain free to download. The update will first roll out in the U.S., with other regions to follow later this year.
The new Fire TV update will initially be available for the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen), and Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series in the U.S. Amazon plans to extend availability to more devices and countries later in the spring, including the latest Fire TV 4K streaming media players.