Amazon rolls-out Android 4.4-based Fire OS 4.6.1 update for Fire Phone

Amazon Fire PhoneAfter keeping the Fire Phone on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean for almost a year, Amazon has started rolling out a software update for the smartphone, which brings Android 4.4 KitKat. The update, which carries Fire OS 4.6.1 moniker, is now rolling out to the Fire Phone and will reach your unit over the next few days. You can also manually flash the update by downloading it from the company’s support website.

In addition to the Android 4.4-base, the Fire OS update also brings a number of new features to the smartphone like lock-screen notifications improvements, enhanced enterprise features, and UI improvements. You can check out the full change-log below.

  • Support for Bluetooth Low Energy
  • Change the wallpaper on the Home screen
  • Lock screen notification improvements: View previews of new notifications on the lock screen and manage which apps can show previews on the lock screen.
  • Additional keyboard options: Amazon’s keyboard now includes color emoji. Choose from hundreds of emoji characters to make your e-mail and multimedia messages fun and personal. You can also change the default keyboard on your Fire phone with another compatible keyboard downloaded from the Amazon Appstore.
  • Convert video clips into lenticular images and set HDR to auto
  • Smarter calling options: Manage up to five people on a conference call, delete all previous calls in your history, and more.
  • Messaging improvements: Delete or forward multiple messages in a conversation, swipe to delete conversations in your Inbox, and modify your messaging settings with new options, such as the ability to change the text size of your messages.
  • Choose different colors for calendar events
  • Print from your Fire phone
  • Enhanced enterprise features: With support for secure work Wi-Fi networks, single sign-on for corporate networks, and AES-256 bit hardware encryption, your Fire phone is ready for more work.
  • Accessibility improvements: Easily manage your closed caption settings across the device and enjoy new Screen Reader features—such as independent volume controls and faster reading speed options—when you use the accessibility options on your Fire phone.
  • Bug fixes and user interface improvements

KitKat might be over a year-old for most Android users, but it is still a new Android version for Fire Phone owners, who will most likely never receive the Android 5.0 update.

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