Amazon’s new Hearth TV Stick HD ditches Android for sooner Vega OS
Abstract created by Good Solutions AI
In abstract:
- PCWorld reviews Amazon’s new Hearth TV Stick HD switches from Android to Linux-based Vega OS, delivering 30% sooner efficiency and enhanced safety.
- The $34.99 machine incorporates a slimmer design, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and 1080p HDR streaming, out there for preorder with April twenty ninth launch.
- Vega OS offers improved velocity however restricts app sideloading and exterior USB storage entry in comparison with earlier Android-based fashions.
Amazon is ready to launch a brand new model of the Hearth TV Stick HD quickly. This would be the second within the Hearth TV Stick line to run on a special working system, departing from the same old Android-based Hearth OS that has powered all Hearth TV units and Hearth tablets.
The brand new Hearth TV Stick HD will run on the Linux-based Vega OS, which was beforehand launched with the Hearth TV Stick 4K Choose in October 2025. Vega OS brings an a variety of benefits, together with sooner efficiency and higher safety, however it doesn’t help sideloading and it may solely run apps from Amazon’s official app retailer. The brand new Hearth TV Stick HD connects on to the TV and gained’t include an influence adapter.
Amazon says of the brand new mannequin in its press launch:
The brand new Hearth TV Stick HD is Amazon’s slimmest streaming machine—each smaller in quantity and width than earlier fashions. It’s optimized for Direct Energy by means of a TV’s USB port, so it matches extra neatly behind a TV with out requiring a separate energy adapter.
Hearth TV Stick HD additionally delivers noticeable velocity enhancements in comparison with earlier HD fashions—greater than 30% sooner on common than the last-generation HD stick, which implies it activates and opens apps extra rapidly. It comes with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 help to assist guarantee a stronger, extra dependable connection for purchasers.
Amazon says that whereas the brand new Hearth TV Stick HD makes use of the identical processor as its predecessor, will probably be 30 p.c sooner on common. It’s barely smaller than the earlier mannequin, weighing 35.8 grams. Content material is maxed out at 1080p and it helps each HDR10 and HDR10+.
There’s one downside, nonetheless. Vega OS makes it tougher to make use of USB storage units by way of the Hearth TV Stick. You’ll additionally want a further Micro-USB-to-USB-A adapter, because the related port is lacking.
The brand new Hearth TV Stick HD is ready to launch “by the tip of the month” (April twenty ninth going by the product itemizing web page) and it’s already out there for preorder. It can retail for $34.99. The bundle features a USB cable for connecting to the TV, however doesn’t have the HDMI cable that was included with earlier fashions (now out there individually).
This text initially appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.
