A new software update for the Fire TV has begun rolling out to devices. The new update carries version number 51.1.6.0_user_516009820. Big thanks to AFTVnews reader Gary who wrote in to let us know about it and provided the pictures. Gary tells us the update has added the ability to mark apps and games as ‘Favorites’, similar to the recently added photo favorites feature, in order to make them more readily available. I uncovered this feature in the previous software version source code, but it appeard to be either unfinished or disabled. No word yet on a Fire TV Stick software update, but I expect we’ll see one soon, likely carrying version number 54.1.2.0.
We’ll know more once this update makes its way to more devices. As always, I’ll have a full overview of everything this update changes in the near future. Be sure to let us know in the comments if you get this update and if you notice any changes it brings.
Update
As expected, we now have confirmation that the Fire TV Stick is also receiving a software update. The Fire TV Stick update carries version number 54.1.2.0_user_120060220 and also includes the new app favorites feature.
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Kodi still works… I forced the update to install and then tested Kodi ..all good
Awesome. Thanks for letting us know! Notice any changes?
Sorry posted a reply by accident below …. Haven’t looked too deep yet.. Will check in a bit and let you know.
Any idea how to force update? I’m running the check for update on two different devices and it’s not finding it.
There is no way to force the update. You just have to wait your turn.
Haven’t really looked yet.. Will look deeper in a bit and let you know
Would be nice to be able to favorite searches too. Anything like that in there? (I just checked but I’m not up for update yet)
I saw reference to saving searches while digging around in the code. It may be limited to the new shopping feature though. I’m not sure yet.
I’d like to know if you could favorite sideloaded apps!
Since sideloaded apps don’t show up in the Fire Tv’s “App” or “Game” area, you wont be able to sideload them.
Bummer. The one thing that would make this update interesting.
@AFTVnews, thanks for the answer, but I think what you meant to type was “Since sideloaded apps don’t show up in the Fire Tv’s ‘App’ or ‘Game’ area, you wont be able to FAVORITE them.”
Woops! You’re right. Thanks for catching that mistake.
About time(!) – the FireTV has been in need of something like this for ages. I tend to only use a dozen or so apps on a regular basis, and this will make accessing those a lot easier.
I wonder, in light of the addition to the ‘kids mode’ on the kindle fire, if there will ever be an option to run the FireTV in kids mode too (as in locked down, with a simpler interface and only access to apps and movies defined by the parents). If the FireTV had that, I could let my kids use it without constant supervision.
Damn. How stupid of me – I completely failed to notice that there’s an option to do this by turning on ‘Free Time’.
Yea I like the freetime and pin base purchases…
Actually… I can’t find a setting to turn on Free Time on my Fire TV?! What the hell? Maybe this is not available in the UK yet?
Correct, FreeTime in only on US devices.
http://www.aftvnews.com/freetime-parental-controls-excluded-from-non-us-fire-tv/
Fire TV Stick – 54.1.2.0_user_120060220 with Favorites available (german Fire TV Stick) – See screenshot: http://goo.gl/pCHNBk
I haven’t noticed this before but bottom of my screen shows both external and internal memory storage. It could have been there before but never noticed until update.
The internal and external memory only show in applications view as far as I can tell.
Yup, that’s a new thing added with this update.
I’ve been wanting this feature too so am looking forward to when it’s available on my system. I also want games to not be listed in the apps section but the favorites should give me easy access to all the apps I regularly use.
Would also like to see prime music stations added.
What area are people from that have already received this update?
Germany:
Fire TV Stick – July 2
Fire TV – July 8
Since the update, I cannot connect to Netflix. I receive an error message with code “ui-113” – I am able to connect to Netflix on my laptop and computer with no problem, also my cell phone. I’ve tried uninstalling the Netflix app, clearing cache and data, rebooted my router several times, rebooted, unplugged fire tv, switched tv’s – you name it, I cannot get it to load. Do I have to uninstall everything? As an fyi,as previous poster stated, my Kodi is working as well…
No problem with Netflix here.
If you’re still having trouble, I’d contact Netflix tech support.
So… What good is this “favorites” feature?
I can add an app as a favorite, but all this does is puts a heart in the lower right hand corner. Wow.
There is no favorites list, or way to sort by favorites…
Am I missing something?
I am of the same opinion HeffeD…so far as I can tell it just places your favorites up front in the “Your Apps Library”. Maybe on the next update they’ll add a “your favorite Apps” category. BTW I’ve had my update from June 25th. I’m glad Kodi still works
Please check: does voice search include Netflix results?
I think the voice search is available for Netflix to code into their app but Netflix has not done this…
I don’t know…but you could read this
http://www.aftvnews.com/whos-to-blame-for-the-fire-tvs-lack-of-netflix-voice-search-integration/
Thank for the link. I read that article when it was first published and it’s really interesting. It’s mostly speculation though, and I don’t buy that Netflix would not want its results to show up in search. Netflix has had a consistent history of being very aggressive about making its service available everywhere, and its results are included in voice search features elsewhere.
I guess I was just hopeful about the new update.
Not on firetv or firetv stick in the UK yet.
Anyone else having issues with wifi since this latest firmware update? I’m getting a flashing orange light on the fire tv device and the error message that it can’t connect to my network. However, I also have a Roku and WD Media Center connected (as well as ipads, iphones, computers, etc) and those are all working fine. Also tried ethernet cable but also receive an error that says it’s not connected to the internet.
I received the update today. As two others stated I can add apps to my favorites but I can’t sort them as such- it’s of no use for me as it doesn’t make it easier to search them out. Also, the update removed all my recent apps from the main “recent” section. I was forced to search them in my “My Apps” section only to discover that not all my apps show there either. I had to go to my installed apps section to bring them all the front again. I am not seeing all my games on cloud either. Before the update I was seeing 68 or so apps but now I can only see 55 apps.