Four months after the release of the mobile platform Android 13, Google has created a version for smart TVs and Android TV set-top boxes, Android TV 13. The platform is currently available only for testing by app developers — ready builds have been prepared for the Google ADT-3 set-top box and the Android Emulator for TV. Updates for consumer devices such as Google Chromecast are expected to be released in 2023.
Key innovations specific to Android TV 13:
- The InputDevice API has been enhanced with support for different keyboard layouts and the ability to bind to the physical location of keys for processing presses regardless of the active layout. Different language layouts can now be used on external keyboards.
- The AudioManager API has been expanded with the ability to proactively determine the attributes of the active audio device and use them to select the optimal format without proceeding to playback. For example, an application can now identify the device through which sound will be transmitted and the formats it supports prior to creating an AudioTrack object.
- The ability to change the resolution and frame rate for transmitting devices connected via HDMI has been provided.
- Improved language selection for HDMI transmitting devices.
- The MediaSession API now supports handling changes in HDMI state, which can be used to save energy by compact TV adapters (TV Dongle) and other HDMI transmitting devices, as well as pause content playback in response to state changes.
- The AccessibilityManager has added an API for providing audio descriptions to users with disabilities, according to their preferences. Global settings for enabling audio descriptions in applications have been added.
- Work has been done to improve power management when transitioning to low power sleep mode.
- The privacy settings reflect the status of hardware mute switches.
- The remote control interface has been updated for access assistant to the microphone.
- A framework for interacting with TV tuners Tuner HAL 2.0 has been proposed, featuring performance optimizations, support for dual tuners, and inclusion of the ISDB-T Multi-Layer specification.
- A framework has been added for application in the field of interactive television, designed as an extension to TIF (Android TV Input Framework).
Source: opennet.ru
