Google has released Android 13 for TV, the latest version of the Android TV OS! This latest release includes additional performance. And it has accessibility enhancements to assist Google’s developers in creating engaging apps for the next generation of TVs.
Here’s a look at some of the new features in Android 13 for TV.
Performance and Quality of Android 13 for TV
Android 13 introduces new APIs to the big screen. It allows developers to provide high-quality experiences to users across a variety of device types.
- The AudioManager API has been improved to allow developers to anticipate audio attribute support for the active audio device and select the best format without starting playback.
- For a more stable playback experience, users can now change the default resolution and refresh rate on supported HDMI source devices.
- HDMI state changes have now been exposed to the MediaSession lifecycle, allowing TV dongles and other HDMI source devices to save power and pause content in response to HDMI state changes.
Accessibility and Input Controls
Android 13 introduces new features that make interacting with television more adaptable.
- Different keyboard layouts are now supported by the InputDevice API. To support different layouts of physical keyboards, game developers can also refer to keys by their physical location.
- AccessibilityManager’s newly created audio descriptions API allows your app to query the new system-wide audio description preference setting, allowing developers to automatically provide audio descriptions in line with a user’s preference.
With the most recent software update, a television running the Android 13 operating system can allow apps to identify the routed device and supported formats before creating an AudioTrack. This ensures that the games and streaming apps provide the best audio experience possible. And even when used with external speakers and soundbars.
Depending on the hardware capabilities, a user can control parameters such as resolution and refresh rate via HDMI source devices. In addition, Android 13 for TV includes a better power management system that reduces power consumption when the device is in standby mode.
Google has also added features like the ability to view the status of hardware mute switches in system privacy settings. And improved user control over microphone access and a new keyboard layout API. It lets users choose different language layouts for external keyboards.
The Android 13 for TV update also includes improved handling of HDMI state changes on source HDMI devices. It improved language selection for HDMI devices. The final version of Android 13 for TV is currently only available to developers. In the coming days, OEMs are expected to update their smart TVs with the latest Android 13 for tv.
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