The devices in question operate using Fire OS, a mobile operating system developed by Amazon. This platform is a derivative of the Android operating system, heavily customized and forked from the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Consequently, these tablets share a foundational codebase with Android but present a distinct user experience and ecosystem.
This architectural choice allows for a unique set of features and services closely integrated with Amazon’s offerings, such as the Amazon Appstore, Prime Video, and Alexa. The benefit lies in the optimized integration with these services, providing users with a streamlined experience within the Amazon ecosystem. Historically, this approach enables Amazon to control the user experience, app distribution, and updates more directly compared to devices running standard Android.