Amazon has begun to roll out a new OS for their Fire tablets as well as Fire TV devices. The new OS – named Vega – is custom made by Amazon and is not based on Android.

What does the transition from Android to Vega mean for end users? It means that end users will no longer be permitted to sideload apps. Sideloading means installing software and applications from third-party services such as Aptoide.

Yes. With Vega OS, if Amazon decides to ban an app from their app store, it’s gone forever, and you will not be able to install said banned applications by sideloading.

Currently, nVidia uses Android/Google TV on its Shield devices. That means that end users of nVidia Shield devices are allowed to sideload apps from third party app stores such as Aptoide TV as well as installing APK files. That means that anybody can install applications banned from the Google Play Store such as Infowars Official. (The Infowars Official app no longer functions, as it was a web application used by infowarsapk.com which was banned by GoDaddy.)

True, there are some banned apps flagged by Google’s Play Protect which can hide and Uninstall “hatmful” apps, but Play Protect can be disabled.

If Amazon Vega turns into a success, it could persuade nVidia to develop their own restricted OS.

When that time comes, your only option for sideloading will be Chinese-made “Kodi boxes” (which use mobile Android instead of Android TV) or the Qux Box from Gavin Wince and Millie Weaver.