Google finally brings Android 14 for TV with several new features and improvements for supported Android and Google TVs. The new Smart TV operating system finally adds Picture-in-Picture mode, which allows users to multitask and watch two different movies at the same time. In addition, the tech giant also offers different power modes to give users precise control over their power consumption. We’ve also added new accessibility features and personalized descriptions powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
The next generation of Android offers improved performance, durability, accessibility and multitasking features to help you create great apps for your TV, Google said in a post on its developer blog. The tech giant also announced a new Compose for TV feature that allows developers to build new apps using Jetpack Compose, the company’s latest Android development tool.
The main focus of the new operating system is performance and stability. Android 14 for TV adds new power modes that allow users to decide what experience they want with Android TV. There is a power saving mode that reduces standby power consumption of smart TVs. Additionally, there is an advanced power mode that keeps the network connection active even when the TV is in standby mode. Finally, there’s a power-optimized mode that supports Google Cast over Wi-Fi instead of Ethernet.
Multitasking is also the company’s focus as it finally introduces picture-in-picture mode. However, this is not available on all Smart TVs. According to Google, this feature is reserved for Android 14 certified TV models. The company hasn’t released a list of TVs that offer this feature, but as a general rule, newer premium smart TVs are likely to have this feature.
Finally, accessibility features are also introduced. These include color correction, improved text options, improved navigation for users, and more. All of these features can be enabled and disabled via remote shortcuts. Additionally, Gemini AI is now available on Android TV. Google plans to add personalized descriptions of movies and TV shows to the home screen of Gemini-based Android TVs.