- Android TV 16 brings a few good changes to Google TV devices
- ECLIPSA sound support, optimization of auto-viewing mode, better streaming and HDMI-CEC improvements
- No Launch Date yet; Different manufacturers will have different timelines
Getting a TV operating system update sometimes feels like going to a restaurant where the chef is a psychopath: Your bowl comes with the finest ingredients cooked to perfection, but there will be something invisible on top of your steak. The Android 16 Update to Google TV seems a bit like that.
The update coming to Google TV this year brings Android 16 to supported TVs and will include some really useful improvements. It will also include what can be quite annoying.
What to expect from Google TV Android Update
One of the most important new features is support for Eclipsa sound, the highly expected rival to Dolby Atmos promoted by Google and Samsung. It will start with YouTube at first, and companies hope it will be embraced by the wider industry as another immersive sound setting.
Another useful new addition is MediaqualityManager designed to give streaming apps the opportunity to fine -tune your TV’s settings. This is a system-covering equivalent with app-specific features such as Prime Video Calibrated Mode, which is currently enabling owners of some Sony Bravia TVs to automatically optimize their TV settings for the Prime Video Show or movie they are watching it will fine-tune brightness, color temperature and movement.
Having it available in the operating system should mean multiple streaming apps offering a calibration option and calibration is available on multiple TVs.
Google’s Gemini AI assistant rolls out to Google TVs in the fall, so you can ask for movie recommendations or get information about things from your TV.
There is also a visual update where the update delivers the latest iteration of Google’s interface, called Material 3 Expressive. It’s not a huge redesign, but it’s a clearer, more modern look.
These are the top four, and Google says there will also be different improvements to media management, including playback speed, consistency and efficiency, and HDMI-CEC reliability will also be improved. And it brings Google TV to Android XR, it’s Virtual/Augmented Reality Platform, so app developers will be able to bring their apps to the platform effortless (although some like Netflix is likely to opt out).
The chocolate bar in the swimming pool of Android TV updates is the arrival of pop-up classification requests. Do you know the annoying “Rate this app” popups on your phone? Google enables app manufacturers to bring them to your TV as well.
There is no release date for Android TV 16 yet, and as always with this kind of update, some manufacturers will probably roll it out faster than others.
As soon as we probably know launch dates, we will tell you. You can see the full list of features and changes to the Android Developers site. (via Flatpanelshd)
