Although Android TV 13 is now available, you shouldn’t anticipate seeing it on any consumer electronics anytime soon. Since Android TV updates typically occur more slowly and in smaller increments than standard Android updates, this milestone serves more as a test for developers than anything more. Even Google’s own Chromecast devices have only recently been updated to Android TV 12.
Since the majority of the new improvements to version 13 are backend ones aimed at developers, it’s doubtful that you would notice any significant changes even if you were to receive an OTA today. Most of the UI is the same.
There are now HDMI source devices that allow user-adjustable resolution and refresh rates. With the addition of techniques allowing the device to pause playback if the HDMI signal changes to something new, power saving on an OS level has generally been improved. Anticipatory audio routes are now provided by the AudioManager APIs for the various audio formats and speaker groups.
With Android TV 13’s new Keyboard Layouts API, users can choose from a variety of language layouts for external keyboards. Additionally, several modifications to keyboard and controller button mapping are made expressly for use by game developers. Additionally, accessibility and privacy have both been enhanced. There are new user controls for Assistant software’s access to the microphone, and hardware mute switch statuses, when accessible, are now reflected in the system privacy controls.
However, if you are a developer, you can now begin using the full release of the OS on your ADT-3 dev kit or Android Emulator for TV. As previously mentioned, customers are unlikely to see Android TV 13 on your consumer device any time soon.
