Google announced today that it has released Android 11 for Android TV, about two weeks after it shipped on mobile.

“Android 11 on Android TV introduces performance and privacy improvements, new features tailored for the TV, and updated developer tools,” Google’s Wolfram Klein announced. “With Android 11, performance improvements, like enhanced memory management, and privacy features, like one-time permissions, are introduced to make sure TV devices work quickly and securely.”

Android 11 on Android TV also brings support for Auto Low Latency Mode and low latency media decoding, along with a new Tuner Framework, Google notes. “With extended gamepad support, silent boot mode for system updates, inactivity prompts, and OEM configurable wake keys, Android 11 allows greater control over TV functions. New framework functionality for managing System LEDs and physical microphone mute buttons also facilitate integrations for far-field microphone enabled devices.”

So why is this important? After all, Android TV hasn’t exactly set the world on fire.

Any day now, Google is expected to announce the latest model in its low-cost Chromecast lineup, called Chromecast with Google TV, that will finally provide Android TV’s interface and capabilities, along with a hardware remote, to mainstream audiences. This might be just the push Android TV needs to finally put it over the top.

Tagged with Android TV, Chromecast