AMAZON BLOCKS SIDELOADING ON NEW FIRE STICKS

INDUSTRY DESK■ 1 MIN READ

FRI, APR 17, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 1 SOURCE ▸ TIMELINE

Amazon's two newest Fire Stick models no longer support sideloading apps from outside the Amazon Appstore. The change restricts users to only officially approved applications.

The latest Fire Stick generations have removed the ability to install apps from unknown sources, a feature previously available on older models. Users can no longer sideload third-party applications onto these devices. This represents a shift in Amazon's approach to its streaming hardware. The restriction limits users to Amazon's curated app selection, potentially blocking access to certain streaming services or custom applications. The move aligns with Amazon's tighter control over its Fire ecosystem. Sideloading had allowed power users to install alternative streaming apps and software not available in the official store. Amazon has not publicly announced plans to reintroduce sideloading support on future Fire Stick models. Users seeking sideloading capabilities would need to purchase older Fire Stick hardware while available.

■ SOURCES

► Ars Technica

■ SUMMARY WRITTEN BY AI FROM THE LINKS ABOVE

■ MORE FROM THE BIG TECH DESK

P692APPLE REDESIGNS SIRI FOR iOS 27 OVERHAUL

Apple is reportedly redesigning the iPhone interface around a redesigned Siri. The overhaul marks a significant shift in how the voice assistant integrates with iOS.

MAY 29— Industry Desk

P689TENCENT PUSHES SMALLER AI MODELS AS CHINA RACE HEATS UP

Tencent is shifting strategy toward smaller AI models to compete with Chinese rivals. Executive Vice President Dowson Tong revealed that AI now accounts for over 20% of the company's revenue and generates 95%+ of new internal code.

MAY 29— AI Desk

P685DELL CRUSHES Q1 FORECAST WITH 88% REVENUE JUMP

Dell reported Q1 revenue of $43.84B, up 88% year-over-year and significantly above the $35.43B analyst estimate. The company also issued FY 2027 guidance above expectations, sending shares up 15% in after-hours trading.

MAY 29— Industry Desk

P683ANTHROPIC BECOMES WORLD'S MOST VALUABLE AI FIRM AT $965BN

Anthropic, the company behind Claude, has raised $65 billion in funding to reach a $965 billion valuation, surpassing OpenAI as the most valuable AI startup. The massive funding round reflects continued investor appetite for artificial intelligence companies.

MAY 29— AI Desk

◄ BACK TO NEWS

AMAZON BLOCKS SIDELOADING ON NEW FIRE STICKS

■ MORE FROM THE BIG TECH DESK

■ SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAILY BRIEF