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When it comes to operating systems, the software that powers smart TVs doesn’t get much attention. Your phone, watch, or tablet tends to receive yearly updates, compared to best Android smart TVswhich might see semi-regular security patches at best.

According to a report from Android AuthorityGoogle plans to add some regularity to its TV software updates, with a move to a biannual cycle for Android Television operating system updates. This means that any new major version of the Android TV operating system will be released every two years.

Most people buy new TVs every five to ten years, usually based on specifications like price and screen size. As such, TVs don’t necessarily need updates as often as smartphones, which tend to have shorter upgrade windows of two to four years.

An anonymous source told Android Authority that Google announced the biannual move at the company’s Android TV partner conference earlier this year, although a spokesperson declined to confirm or deny the timing.

Android TV is based on the same operating system we know from our Android phones. However, current Android-based TVs use Android TV 14, based on the phone’s software arriving in 2023. Android TV 14 was officially launched in May 2024 during Google I/O.

This version of the TV operating system debuted with the new Google TV Streamer which was launched in August. The streamer showed off AI tools and upgrades for Google Home. For the most part, your Android TV is probably running Android TV 12 or higher.

From the report, it’s unclear whether this two-year timeline begins this year with the release of Android TV 14 or whether we’re at some point in between.

Android 15 has just started releasing on Google Pixel devices and other Android phones. Apparently we could see Android 16 early launch in the spring of next year. Assuming this report is correct, the next version of Android TV we might see would be based on Android 16 in late 2025 or early 2026.

So far, none of the features in Android 15 are related to Android TV, and it’s also unclear if there’s anything in Android 16 relevant to the TV OS.

According to Android Authority, most applications in the Android TV operating system are not part of the Android Open Source project which allows manufacturers to put their own spin on Android, such as Samsung’s. A user interface Or OnePlus’ color operating system.

That means curious DIYers can’t dig into the source code for clues about what Google might add to future iterations of Android TV.

For now, we’ll have to wait until late 2025 or early 2026 to see where Google really is in the cycle.

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