Worried about your older devices being unable to use a more complex OS version? Don’t fret, because Google also tweaked the update to provide an overall performance boost to lower-memory devices. That being said, this does not carry over to third-party apps. You’ll have to wait for improvements on the other dev side if other apps don’t exactly “comply” with the changes.
Android 14 for Google TV also prioritizes sustainability by introducing new energy modes that allow better control of power consumption. The low-energy and optimized energy modes, for example, are claimed to allow the devices to only consume two watts or less of energy during standby.
PiP Mode: Better Late than Never
Android 14 for Google TV also finally introduces picture-in-picture (PiP) mode at long last. Yes, believe it or not, this is indeed the first time that we will ever see the feature on this platform.
PiP mode is supported on select Google TV models that meet Google’s hardware compatibility criteria. Developers can query the PackageManager to determine if PiP support is available for a device, and then tailor their app’s behavior accordingly. The feature can only be available for non-media apps that consume limited system resources and comply with Google’s compatibility guidelines.
Other Improvements
Accessibility is also prioritized well in the Android 14 for Google TV update. For instance, color correction options allow users to adjust on-screen colors to account for different types of color deficiencies. Bold text and improved navigation support, including switch access paired with a virtual D-pad, enhance usability for users with visual or motor impairments.
Alongside the platform updates, we also have extra Android Studio tools and resources to aid developers in leveraging the new features and capabilities of the major update.
The new UI toolkit, “Compose for TV” 1.0 beta introduces dedicated components for TV apps, improved input support, and enhanced performance, streamlining the development process. Google has also launched the TV Material Catalog app, allowing developers to explore and experiment with different themes and layouts.
Additionally, the Video Discovery API simplifies the integration of the popular “Continue Watching” row, supporting user profiles, cross-device resumption, and automatic detection of app entitlement based on downloads and usage.
