A frequently asked question concerns the operating system used in Amazon’s Fire tablets. These devices utilize Fire OS, a mobile operating system developed by Amazon. Fire OS is derived from the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). This means that the core of the operating system shares a common foundation with the Android operating system found on devices from manufacturers such as Samsung and Google. However, it’s important to recognize that while based on Android, Fire OS has been significantly customized.
The modifications made by Amazon include a distinct user interface, tight integration with Amazon’s ecosystem of services (such as Prime Video, Kindle, and the Amazon Appstore), and the removal of Google’s proprietary services and applications (like the Google Play Store). This approach allows Amazon to control the user experience more directly, promoting its own services and generating revenue within its own ecosystem. Historically, this divergence from standard Android has been a strategic decision to differentiate Fire tablets in the competitive tablet market.