Google will move to update Android TV every two years

Google plans to change its update release schedule for Android TV to a two-year cycle. According to Android Authority sources, instead of an annual update, the company will skip Android TV 15 and release Android TV 16, based on Android 16, right away. It’s expected that this update could come out by mid-2026.

Android TV 16.

Reasons for the schedule change

The main reason for the decreasing frequency of upgrades is the long lifespan of TVs. Users tend to replace their TVs every 5-10 years, focusing on factors such as price, screen size and hardware features rather than the frequency of updates. TVs are content consumption devices, and software updates are less critical for them than for smartphones. This reduces the need for frequent updates and allows Google to focus on improving the system with less frequency, but with more innovation.

At the same time, it’s also possible for Google to focus on improving the system with less frequency, but with more innovation.

Continued support and improvements

Despite the move to a two-year cycle, the platform will continue to receive updates to meet new requirements as well as to add needed features. During a private conference call, Google notified its partners of this change so they can adapt their development and device updates to fit the new schedule.

At a closed conference, Google notified its partners of the change so they can adapt their development and device updates to the new schedule.

The new Android TV release cycle will thus focus on a balance between maintaining functionality and reducing unnecessary frequency of updates to meet the needs of both manufacturers and end users.

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