Google brings Android 14 for TVs with improved energy modes and AI powered features

Google recently announced Android 14 for TVs which will offer upgraded features for several Android and Google TV. The company announced that the new features will entail enhanced performance, reduce power consumption, and several details like picture-in-picture support. The big focus will be on the new operating system. As per the claims, Google suggests that the new OS will enhance performance and sustainability.

Google Android 14 on TVs: New features

Google claims that the new features of Android 14 for TV provide improvements in performance, sustainability, accessibility, and multitasking to help build engaging apps for TV.

Google said, “We're bringing Android 14 to TV! The next generation of Android provides improvements in performance, sustainability, accessibility, and multitasking to help you build engaging apps for TVs.”

It also announced a new Compose for TV feature for developers which will allow them to build new apps with Jetpack Compose, the company's latest Android development toolkit.

Performance and sustainability: Google claims that Android 14 for TV will improve the previous operating system. This version is more “snappier and responsive experience.” Additionally, the new energy modes added in this version will enhance the user experience. It will help reduce TV’s standby power consumption and prevent content from continuing when input modes change or the panel switches off. Users can choose from three distinct settings based on their network usage preferences to reduce power consumption when the TV is not in use.

Accessibility: The new features will include colour correction, enhanced text options, and improved navigation for users, which can all be toggled on or off using remote shortcuts. Google claims that these accessibility features will help individuals with motor difficulties.

Multitasking: The new picture-in-picture mode is now supported on qualified Android 14 TV models. This is perhaps the most exciting detail of the upgrade. This feature will allow users to continue watching content while browsing the home screen or exploring other apps. While it is not clear whether this feature will be available for all Android 14 TV models, the best assumption is that the latest the model, the more the features. As per Google the feature is being reserved for ‘qualified’ Android TV models.

Gemini AI in TV home screens

With upcoming enhanced features, how can Google forget their AI -- Gemini. Google also announced that it will be using Gemini to improve recommendations and content descriptions on Google TV.

The tech giant said, “Want to know why a movie or show might be the right fit for you? We’ve begun using the Gemini model to generate personalised for the home screen’s Featured carousel to help users decide what to watch. And we now fill in missing or untranslated descriptions for movies and shows so users can discover new favourites they might have missed otherwise.”

Are these features out yet?

While some of the users might be able to see bigger and better descriptions on their home screens, there are higher chances that these features are not there yet. The newer features will soon roll out for everyone globally.

The reports claim that these features should be available for everyone later this year.