Android TV 13: Android 13 has added a low-power standby mode and an expanded picture-in-picture mode.
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Google usually releases a new version of Android TV a month or two after the final version of Android that the operating system is based on is released. Last year, it released Android TV 12 about a month after Android 12 hit Pixel phones. While the company has yet to announce Android TV 13, two of its major changes have been detailed: expanded picture-in-picture support and a low-power standby mode.
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Android TV already supports picture-in-picture mode, with a default aspect ratio of 1.777778:1, ideal for displaying 16:9 content. Developers, however, can create PiP windows with an aspect ratio smaller than 1:2.39 or larger than 2.39:1, if required. As spotted by Esper’s Mishaal Rahman, Google will further improve this feature in Android TV 13 by allowing developers to create PiP windows smaller or larger than this aspect ratio. Additionally, a new Activity method — setPreferDockBigOverlays — in Android 13 indicates that users can dock the PiP panel alongside the main Activity, so that “both windows are visible to the user.”
Android 13 includes a new “low-power standby mode” for Android TVs. The feature will disable wakelocks and restrict apps from accessing the network when it’s active. This will be a useful addition, as apps won’t need to access the internet or create unnecessary wakelocks when the TV is off or in standby. It should also lead to reduced bandwidth usage and reduced power consumption of your smart TV. These restrictions will be temporarily lifted during doze windows, ensuring that apps don’t break in this mode.
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If Google sticks to the same schedule as last year, expect Android TV 13 to be announced in November. Most TV manufacturers take their time to introduce a new version of Android TV, so wait a while before trying out these features.
Information source: androidpolice.com
