Android 14 is now available for TV devices, including Google TV, and is expected to appear on the first devices later this year. Google is highlighting new features such as Energy modes.

Google has decided to skip Android 13 and move straight to Android 14 in TV devices. Earlier this year, FlatpanelsHD provided an overview of the new features in the Android 14 beta, and Google has now added official details.

- "We’re bringing Android 14 to TV! The next generation of Android provides improvements in performance, sustainability, accessibility, and multitasking," announced Google.


Energy modes and PiP
Google claims that Android 14 delivers a "a snappier, more responsive TV experience". We have heard similar promises from Google in the past, so we remain skeptical, especially considering the hardware limitations of Google TV devices.

A new feature is Energy mode, which Google has previewed:


 The new Energy modes in Android 14. Photo: Google

TV devices as home hubs
Later this year, Chromecast with Google TV, select Google TVs running Android 14, and select LG TVs (without Google TV) will be upgraded to function as home hubs.

If a Google TV device contains a Thread chip, it will also be capable of acting as a Thread border router too, similar to Google Nest Hub and Apple TV 4K.

Additionally, Picture-in-Picture mode is now supported on "qualified" Android 14 TV models.

However, PiP is currently limited to non-media purposes, such as displaying a video camera feed.


 Picture-in-Picture is officially coming to Android 14, but only for non-media apps. Photo: Google

AI recommendations, Fair Pair & Magic button
Furthermore, Google announced its plans to use AI for content recommendations and descriptions. We expect this feature to also show up on TV devices running earlier version of Android.

References to a 'Find my Remote' feature have also been discovered in Android 14.

The new 'Magic' shortcut button and faster headphone pairing (Fast Pair), previously uncovered in the Android 14 beta, have both been fast-tracked as server-side updates. They are already available on select devices.


First TV devices later this year
Google announced that Android 14 for TV is available now. The new system software is expected to show up in the first devices later this year.

At this time, no TV makers have announced rollout schedules for Android 14. The new Google TV models for 2024, including those from Philips, TCL, and Sony, will launch on Android 12.

The current Chromecast with Google TV still runs Android 12. It is possible that the rumored hardware revision of the 4K Chromecast will be the first device to feature Android 14.

Android 14 for TVs – in Google's own words
Google released this video to highlight some of the new features:

 FlatpanelsHD