Google TV has finally added support for picture-in-picture mode in the upcoming Android 14 update for TV. This feature, which has been available on Android phones since Android 8.0 was released almost seven years ago, allows users to watch a video in a small window overlaying other applications. However, the Picture-in-Picture feature on Google TV will not be enabled for multimedia content.
Google TV is based on the Android TV operating system, a version of AOSP designed specifically for televisions. While the Android TV operating system shares many features with the regular Android platform, some basic features such as Picture in Picture are removed or not included in Android TV devices due to limitations like low RAM. As a result, some Android TV devices support PiP, while others do not.
With the upcoming Android 14 update for TV, Google TV devices will finally support picture-in-picture mode. However, there are some caveats. The first caveat is that PiP mode may not be available on all Google TV devices running Android 14 for TV due to hardware compatibility criteria set by Google. The second caveat is that Google will not allow media content to be displayed in a picture-in-picture window on Google TV, unlike on mobile devices.
Google will only approve certain categories of content for picture-in-picture mode on TV, including communications use cases, smart home integrations, health use cases, and use cases for tickers. Android TV apps must declare the corresponding categories in their manifest files to be eligible for PiP support.
Although the restrictions on PiP usage on Android TV may be frustrating for developers, it aligns with Google’s goal of ensuring PiP activities enhance or complement the full-screen experience. Apps that want to support PiP mode on Android TV must adhere to basic quality guidelines for TV applications set by Google.
Due to the inconsistent availability of PiP on Android TV devices in the past, many apps built for the platform do not currently support the feature. However, with PiP becoming part of the officially supported Android TV platform, it is expected that more apps will add support for it. Developers interested in adding PiP support to their Android TV apps should refer to Google’s documentation for specific features and guidelines related to PiP on TV.
Overall, the inclusion of picture-in-picture mode on Google TV devices with the Android 14 update for TV marks a significant advancement for the platform, providing users with a more versatile multitasking experience while watching content on their televisions.
Article Source
https://www.androidauthority.com/google-tv-picture-in-picture-3445563/