The age of entertainment has seen a drastic change in the past decade resulting in the decrease in the popularity of televisions. What replaced them is far more convenient and offers diversity in terms of what the users want to watch. These are streaming services and digital boxes such as Amazon Fire TV and Firestick.
Time is of the essence, so users are now more attracted to content that is add-free as nobody wants their valuable time going to waste by watching irrelevant things. Keeping that in mind, researchers say that almost 70% of American households have bought one subscription to a streaming service.
This is the right time to shine for content producers who want to mint money through this ever-growing industry. One way to smartly capitalize on this rising trend is by creating an Amazon Firestick application. This approach will not only increase your viewership but will also fill your pockets with dollars.
In this blog, you will learn everything you need to know about how to develop apps for Firestick. Keep reading to know more!
Why should you create a Firestick App?
You may think that Amazon Fire TV is just like any other popular streaming device available in the market such as Apple TV, Roku, and Chromecast. So why should one opt for a Firestick app and not the other types available at a cheaper cost?
Well, let’s talk about popularity first. In January 2020, Amazon Fire TV climbed to the top as it was hailed as one of the most used streaming devices in the US. It overcame Roku in terms of popularity with 40 million active users per month. Since then, Amazon Fire TV only climbed higher and is not ready to slow down as of yet.
Another consideration that one should be careful with while choosing a streaming provider for creating an app should be the ease in the technical department. For instance, if you are planning to create a customized Roku app, you should know BrightScript – its proprietary coding language. Other than that, you should also be aware of the SceneGraph framework.
However, when it comes to creating an app for Firestick, the only crucial area where you should have some sort of expertise is the Fire OS software. Its operating system is Android, so the level of technical skills that one might need to use it efficiently is not that high. To confirm the compatibility of your app with your Firestick, just drag and drop the APK of your app into the App Testing Service option. A compatibility report will be sent to you in around 90 secs.
How can you create a Fire TV channel?
There are many frameworks one can choose from to build a Firestick app. However, the choice may depend on various factors such as:
- A user’s skillset (Java Developer, Web Developers, Content Developer.)
- The user’s favored platform. (HTML5 Web-based app or Android)
- Your expectations when it comes to functionality and features. (Authentication, Advertising, Subscriptions.)
Different methods you should know about Amazon Firestick Development
If you want to develop an Amazon Firestick app, there are various methods in place. The best ones are:
1. Fire App Builder
Fire App Builder is a Java-based framework that is created by Amazon itself. This open-source framework is great for people who are specifically wanting to create a Firestick app. The experience one has after using Fire App Builder is similar to a template created by the Android tools, so it is safe to say that you will have fun creating a Firestick app through this method.
Amazon Appstore says that through Fire App Builder, you can create an exciting and great-quality Android app in the span of an hour even if you know minimal coding. That being said, the task becomes much easier if you have useful knowledge and some experience in developing an app. Moreover, it is crucial to have some hands-on information about standard Android development tools like Gradle and Android Studio.
2. Custom Native Android App
When you are creating a Firestick app and that too for the first time, it is always advised to create a custom Android app through Android tools such as Android Frameworks and Android Studio. This offers the user much more convenience when it comes to controlling and monitoring software updates, and customization of features. Additionally, it also helps one deliver a superior quality of user experience.
All in all, It is always a wise decision to use Amazon services instead of Google services while creating a customized Android app for Firestick. As a content developer, you should learn how to use all operating systems related to Fire TV, most preferably the Fire OS 5,6, and 7. The best thing is that Amazon provides app creators with all possible assistance in the form of documentation, sample codes, and tutorials.
Having said that, if you do not have any experience with hybrid apps, Java, and Kotlin, it is best to hand over your app development to an expert developer to mitigate any chances of failure.
3. Custom Web-Based App
This option is highly recommended for content creators who are experienced HTML5 developers. Custom Web-Based App is a method that is not very convenient for beginners in this industry but offers promising results. If you do not have any prior experience with HTML5 app development, you can trust another skilled professional to use this method for creating a highly engaging custom Android app for you. Other than that, you can also make use of WebView to develop a customized hybrid app, video, or game.
There is a chance that any of these tools might not be available in your regions due to various issues. If you come across such a problem, download a reliable Firestick VPN, which will make it easier for you to get hold of the needed tools for app development.
Wrapping Up
New challenges might seem taxing at first, but persistence and the will to succeed will only take you closer to your goals. The same is the case with creating apps for Firestick and other Fire TV devices. However, by using the information you learned in this article, your journey is bound to become much smoother.