Android TV OS: The feature that will change the way we watch TV

Google is all set to bring the Picture-in-Picture (PiP) feature to TV but it may not be as useful as it is on phones. During the Google I/O conference, the company revealed that the next update to the Android TV operating system, which will be based on Android 14, will bring an important feature to TVs. New picture-in-picture mode.

There were indications that the feature would debut with Android 13 but Google eventually changed its plans. But it’s back and the Picture-in-Picture feature is now available on Android TVs, allowing users to watch videos simultaneously with other apps. Essentially, it will allow some sort of multitasking with one app running in full screen mode and another in a smaller window.

It’s not clear if all TVs and Android TV boxes will have the PiP feature

However, not all TVs will receive the new update as Google has indicated that it will come to “eligible TV models that will support Android 14.” So, it’s not entirely clear whether all TVs and Android TV boxes will be able to get this feature.

PiP will only work on “eligible” TVs and streaming devices.

No wonder the American giant noted in its initial announcement that PiP will only work on “eligible” TVs and streaming devices. So, even if you own a fairly recent model of Google TV, it may not support PiP when it gets the Android 14 update for your TV.

another thing. Google has imposed restrictions on when developers can enable the PiP feature, which greatly limits its usefulness. On Android phones, you can enable PiP when viewing content from your favorite services. But on TV, the company will only allow four categories of apps to use PiP: Communications, Smart Home, Health, and Stripe. This means that apps like Netflix or YouTube will not work.

Note that the Nvidia Shield TV Pro and some of Sony’s high-end Android TVs support PiP, but most TV boxes and TVs don’t have this feature.