Amazon's latest Fire TV update has broken a number of popular third-party apps, users report, with advanced modding apps, such as those that bypass the Fire TV home screen, apparently being the most affected.
As AFTVnews explains, the latest version of Fire OS software blocks access to something called Android Debug Bridge (ADB). Basically, this is a feature used by developers to access system controls and settings that are not normally available.
It means that apps that do something out of the ordinary, like clearing a Fire TV device's cache to free up memory or running a console game emulator, are now blocked. If you notice something broken on devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, this may be the reason.
Speaking to AFTVnews and Ars Technica, Amazon said the update was aimed at improving security on Fire TV devices, and that any developers affected by the changes should contact Amazon directly.
Security, security, security.
While it is true that ADB connections, with their deeper access to the device, can be used for malicious purposes in some cases, it is also true that these connections must be made deliberately: they do not occur on their own, without any user interaction or alert.
It appears that Amazon did not notify developers or users in advance that this change was going to be made, which has left people with glitches and error messages. If you are using an affected app, the only option seems to be to stop using it.
Clearly, Fire TV mods (ones that skip the default home screen, for example) aren't in Amazon's best interest. Like any other big tech company, it wants everyone to use the official channels and interfaces, which are the most secure (and also the best monetized).
According to Ars Technica, one developer was told his app had failed because it “overrides the native user experience,” which gives a bit more insight into Amazon's thinking. If, as rumored, you plan to ditch Android on your Fire TV devices, you'll get even more control over the software interface.
