Amazon launches Fire OS 5 Developer Preview, based on Android 5.0 Lollipop

BY Evan Selleck

Published 19 Jun 2015

image Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7

Developer previews aren’t new for many companies, including Google, which recently kicked off its own preview for Android M not too long ago.

But for Amazon, it’s a fresh new pool to jump into, and the company has done just that. It has recently announced a brand new Developer Preview for Fire OS 5, the proprietary platform that’s featured on its portable devices. The new software is based on Android 5.0 Lollipop, which is a good sign. The most recent update to the Fire-branded devices was still based on Android 4.4, and that was just last month.

Unfortunately, what kind of new features will be baked into the software is still unknown at this point, as is whether or not Amazon will be changing up the looks of the platform moving forward. The good news here for Fire owners is that it will be based on Android 5.0.

For developers that want to get in on the fun, you’ll need a Fire HD 6 or Fire HD 7 tablet. If you don’t have a Fire HD 7 tablet, Amazon will knock off $50 for you to pick up one, or up to two of them, which knocks the price down to $49 each.