14 DAY TRIAL // Major retailer Amazon has just announced the Fire OS 5 Developer Preview for its devices. The new version of the OS is based on Android Lollipop, which is good news for those who purchased the company's tablets and smartphone.
It's been a little bit more than a month since Amazon released Fire OS 4.6.1 update based on Android 4.4 KitKat platform for its Fire Phone, and not it looks like there's hope for Lollipop.
Beginning today, Amazon developers will be able to test Fire OS 5 Developer Preview, if they own one of the tablets announced: Fire HD 6 or Fire HD 7.
Unfortunately, there's no telling whether or not Amazon plans to upgrade its Fire Phone to Android 5.0 Lollipop because the developer preview is available for multiple devices other than smartphones.
“Starting today, developers have the opportunity to participate in a Developer Preview of Fire OS 5, the next generation Android-based operating system that powers Fire tablets, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick,” confirms Amazon's Mike Hines in a blog post.
The Fire Phone has been skipped from this preview
So, Amazon does not have a Lollipop build in testing for the Fire Phone for the moment, but let's hope that will happen sooner rather than later.
Those who want to test Fire OS 5 Developer Preview will have to register for a free Amazon Developer account if their don't have one, and then sign up for the Fire OS 5 Developer Preview.
There's no telling how long it will take Amazon to test and then deliver Fire OS 5 to its tablets, but it shouldn't surprise anyone if the new update will be released around the same time Google comes out with Android M.
The Fire OS 5 might be the last major update for current Fire tablets, and hopefully Fire Phone, that Amazon plans to release, but new ones based on Android M should be launched next year.