Amazon has given Variety a preview of the new Fire TV interface, in the form of the image you see above. This is our first clear look at the new interface, if you don’t count the screen grabs from earlier this month. You can see the vertical navigation menu from the existing interface has been replaced by a horizontal menu along the top of the Home screen. The separate Apps and Games section appears to be replaced by a single Apps section. Also missing are the Music and Photos sections. Those sections will be replaced with standalone apps from Amazon, as we’ve already seen with the new Music app.
Below the navigation menu is a large banner which Variety says will “teases shows and movies from both Amazon Prime and select partners with still art as well as short video clips.” Under the large banner is a familiar Recent section, which only displays video content in the image above, so it’s not clear if recently used apps will also appear there.
Below the Recent section is a My Apps & Games area. This is where Amazon is finally giving customers a bit of control over their Home screen layout. You will be able to select which apps appear in this list. At the top of the Home screen is, unfortunately, still a banner ad, like was added to the existing Home screen early last year.
The new interface will arrive later this year, via a software update, on the new Fire TV Stick 2 and the Fire TV 2 first. The 1st generation Fire TV and Fire TV Stick will also receive this new interface, once it finishes rolling out to the newer devices.
Update
Be sure to check out the two additional shots of the new interface that were just posted.
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I got my stick today… the firmware is currently the old firmware installed on AUG 20th. No available updates yet.
I will say the old menu layout interface was my absolute favorite. I have extreme distaste for the new menu layout. The old was simple do to having every catagory to the left and the content to the right. Which was eye easy and seperated everythong nicely. The newest update almost seems to throw everything together and a glob of stuff making finding things or scrolling through more complicated. I believe we should get an option for what layout we prefer.
I couldn’t agree more! The categories on the side were perfect
I agree it takes to long to find what I want. I want the old one back!
I agree it takes to long to find what I want. I want the old one back!
I would simply like to get rid of the “recents” section altogether. I’m new to the Fire TV device and like it so far but I want this section to go away completely or at least let me move it to the bottom so I can forget it exists! It would be nice if I could pair a bluetooth keyboard but I haven’t been able to find a way to make that happen yet.
I am very lost and can’t do anything with KODI. How do I get to networks and NEW movies? This new home screen sucks!
I absolutely hate it!!
I couldn’t agree more I hate it. I’ve spent an hour trying to find the search box – no joy. I want the old settings back at least I could use those. Now there seems to be nothing we can do about it either.
I couldn’t agree more I hate it. I’ve spent an hour trying to find the search box – no joy. I want the old settings back at least I could use those. Now there seems to be nothing we can do about it either.
I couldn’t agree more I hate it. I’ve spent an hour trying to find the search box – no joy. I want the old settings back at least I could use those. Now there seems to be nothing we can do about it either.
Leave a plea on their facebook page
They need to fix the truely universal voice search, or just voice search from the netflix app since its the only one I use pretty much in terms of paid streaming services.
I have 5.2.2.0 installed Friday August 19th 2016 Last Checked October 20th 2016
My home screen looks just like the first Gen stick. Disappointing!!
Anyone with the new stick able to adjust the screen scaling? Mine tells me to do it via the TV, but my TV has no such option.
It’s under your menu, go to settings, and then display and it should be there..
Just got my Fire TV Stick 2 today, but one thing that’s really weird is that I cannot add the Starz app. Alexa won’t find it but it is on my other stick.
I looked for Starz as well but you can only get it through prime, the app is not compatible on this one. I don’t care for the new fire stick. I may send it back.
Got home and hooked mine up… Set it up on my wireless and now it has found a software update… Installing now.
Interesting. That update wasnt available earlier this afternoon. But I just checked my new stick, and it did indeed update to it. Looks like the MUSIC section was added at the bottom. Also, maybe my imagination, but the device seems a tiny bit snappier.
Still can’t adjust overscan though. Not sure why Amazon removed that.
I liked having the photos section there rather than in an app. I won’t ever remember to look at it if it’s tucked away in an app I never load.
I don’t know, I think the older interface looks better and easier to navigate
Yes
It definitely looks cleaner then the existing interface,but there’s things that don’t make sense to me. Like why must they have an apps tab when there’s and apps and game row directly below it? Seems inefficient.
Don’t dislike it and I’ve been looking forward to an update but I dunno.. why is that banner ad where it is? Looks out of place.
HOW DO YOU GET THE NEW INTERFACE
2 weeks ago the new interface installed with an update when I turned my firestick on in both the bedroom and the livingroom. But I bought another for my sons room and it is still 5.2.2.0 instead of the 5.2.4.0, I have tried updating it 2x now and still no software download.
So I am with you on this one, but we may not be able to control when it arrives–which sucks.
Can I switch back to the old version, hate the new one.
I aggre. Liked the old one better.
Does anyone know if you can go backwards?
Switch back, the new screen stinks. I pay this much for prime, I should at least get to pick my categories. However, everything is prime this or prime that. 99% of the time I don’t even have the category for new releases anymore, just what is trending, and what’s popular. I don’t care what’s trending and popular, I want to choose which new movie I want to watch. If I cannot do that, then there is no use in my continuing my Amazon account.
And I don’t mean new releases on prime. I mean rent or buy.
Add me to the switch back list. New one is bogus. Ads are super annoying.
Is there a list? I want on it, too. :(
How do I access my installed apps I.e. Kodi from new home screen. So I won’t have to go the long way
how do I add KODI using new home page
I’m having a ridiculously hard time trying to install kodi. Does anyone have a good tutorial I can access that would help me.
Thanks,
Highly frustrated
… on the new amazon fire stick by the way
We can’t remove stuff from recent area under new interface… Why?
More control to us not less is the goal peeps.
Hate it.
Too much advertising for crap I have no interest in. All too big and in your face, I only want my content, none of this stuff. I am looking into other devices now. Amazon I’m very disappointed.
I hate the new interface so much! I have a first Gen box and have always loved it and told everyone to get one. Now with the obnoxious advertising and new layout I loathe it. Going to make the switch to something else. My kids cannot use it with all of the innapropriate banners (Playboy? Really amazon?) So ugly to look at and hard to navigate. I want an option to go back but if I can’t then moving on.
New Amazon update menus are repetitive. The “Recent” menu cannot be edited to remove apps from the list. An option to delete apps would be beneficial related to apps not to watch. I choose Amazon TV due to its available to manage the menu. Now, the menus are not locked and not accessible to the administrator.
WHERE IS THE SEARCH BOX?
Leave a message on their facebook page I have
I am new to this fire stick and fire box I just want to watch new release nothing to complicated which is the Best Buy for my money?
Is there a way to get the home screen interface picture more kid friendly? Will parental controls do that? When my kids turn on the fire stick, they see a picture of a man with blood all over his head from The Walking Dead right now.
Don’t like the new layout…please bring the old one back please. It’s so frustrating, just got to understand this layout and now it’s all changed….I think we should be able to decide the layout.