Here’s an overview of the changes and additions brought to the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick by software version 5.0.5. If you’d like to learn about what the jump from Fire OS 3 to Fire OS 5 has changed, be sure to checkout my previous articles here and here. This article concentrates on the differences between software version 5.0.4 and 5.0.5. Read more ›

The latest software update, version 5.0.3.1, for the 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick has been rolling out for a week now and should be available on most devices. Amazon continues to be coy with the details of this bug fixing update, but AFTVnews readers have thankfully chimed in with their findings to give all of us an idea of what has and hasn’t been fixed. Read more ›

The new 5.0.3 software update for the 2nd-gen Amazon Fire TV is still rolling out to devices, but we’re starting to get an idea of what it does and doesn’t fix. As we’ve come to expect, other than saying it contains “minor bug fixes and performance improvements,” Amazon isn’t providing any details about the update. Those who have already received the update have thankfully been active in the comments on my announcement post. Read more ›

Software updates 51.1.6.3 for the Fire TV and 54.1.2.3 for the Fire TV Stick appear to consist of only bug fixes and no new features. These updates have patched the last remaining Stagefright vulnerable library. If you still have your hopes set on a new rooting method using the Stagefright vulnerability, you’ll want to avoid this update. Additionally, it appears these updates have also fixed the HDCP blank screen issue that some people have been experiencing. It does not appear as though Amazon has removed the newly added “always on” HDCP encryption, however several readers have told me, with this new update, they are no longer seeing blank screens when waking their Fire TVs and Fire TV Sticks from sleep mode.

The Amazon Appstore app, which controls the “Apps” and “Games” sections on the Fire TV, seems to have received a lot of attention with this update. Unfortunately, I could not find any indication with this update that Amazon is adding Amazon Underground to the Fire TV. This doesn’t mean the Fire TV will never have access to Amazon Underground apps. It just means that it’s unlikely to be part of this update. The Amazon Music app, which controls the “Music” section on Fire TV devices, has also received some care with this update. But again, no new features were found.

Earlier this week, Amazon Fire TVs began receiving software update 51.1.5.3_user_515040320 and Fire TV Sticks began receiving software update 54.1.1.3_user_110045520. Neither update has added new features to either device. Amazon has officially labeled these updates as bug fixes. As usually, there’s no word on which bugs have been fixed. Comparing the current software package to the previous one reveals that the Fire TV’s appstore, Bluetooth component, and input device backend have been modified with this latest update. Additionally, as with most updates, several system framework components have been updated. Be sure to let us know if you’ve noticed any specific resolved issues.