Amazon Fire OS Update Brings Multi-Tasking and More

Launched in June, Amazon's first smartphone - the Fire Phone (Review), is now receiving a major Fire OS update that takes it to version 3.5.1 and brings some much-needed features to the handset.

The Fire OS 3.5.1 update introduces the 'Quick Switch' feature to the Amazon Fire, finally allowing users to switch between apps and multitask. Users can now double tap the home button and switch between apps using this feature.

Another new feature in the Fire OS 3.5.1 update is 'App Grid Collections', which lets Amazon Fire users create folders for apps. This feature is already seen on versions of Android, iOS and Windows Phone operating systems. Users can also pin their most-used or favourite applications in front of the home carousel.

With the Fire OS 3.5.1 update, Amazon Fire users can now also create 11-frame lenticular photos, using 11 images instead of 3 images before the update. Sharing of high-resolution videos via MMS and email is now also possible from the Amazon Fire Phone.

The Amazon Fire also gets an improved e-mail carousel widget, with the ability to delete emails directly from the home screen. It also brings along a number of system updates to improve the battery life of the smartphone

Amazon Fire Phone users can check for the Fire OS 3.5.1 update by navigating to the Settings button via the Quick Action panel and tap through the Device> Install System Updates> Check Now options. Users can install the update once it's downloaded. Users can also download the latest software version manually from the Amazon website.

Amazon had rolled-out the Fire OS 3.5.1 update to select Fire Phone units, but was waiting for AT&T to approve the update before it finally brought it to the general public on Monday, reports Engadget.