Chromecast with Google TV is finally set to receive the Android 12 update, and the new Chromecast (HD) gives us an early look at what the platform will bring to Google’s big-screen experience. Here’s everything new in Android 12 for Google TV on Chromecast.
What’s new in Android 12 for Chromecast with Google TV?
As we said earlier, not system updates major Source of new features or changes for Google TV and Android TV. Rather, the most meaningful changes come from updates to the launcher or via apps. Again, there is a good number New features coming with Android 12 For Chromecast with Google TV and they are live first Chromecast with Google TV (HD)shipped with the update installed.
Block access to the microphone and camera
One of the major changes in Android 12 comes in the form of better privacy with the microphone and camera. Android 12 now always shows an indicator when microphone or camera permissions are in use by displaying an easily visible green dot in the corner. While this Android 12 feature probably won’t be noticed on Google TV and Chromecast for half its camera, it’s definitely a welcome change to show access to the microphone. Google TV already had a pointer UI, but this version is more noticeable and works more consistently across the OS.
Android 12 now also has a way to block access to the microphone and/or camera in addition to a pointer. On Google TV, you can find this under Settings > Privacy under Microphone or Camera. On both pages, you’ll also see a list of programs that have attempted to access these permissions.
“Adjust content frame rate”
Another new feature you’ll find on all Android TV OS 12 devices is support for the system to match the displayed content’s frame rate. It’s available on Google TV with three options – seamless, flawless and completely off. On Chromecast (HD), the first option is enabled by default.
What do these options do? Google explains it as follows.
Seamless:
If the app requests it, your device will adjust its output to match the original frame rate of the content you’re watching, ONLY if your TV can handle the transition seamlessly.
Seamless:
If the app requests it, your device will adjust its output to match the original frame rate of the content you’re watching. This may cause your screen to go blank for a second when exiting or entering a video without playback.
Never:
Your device will never attempt to match its output to the original frame rate of the content you’re watching, even if the app requests it.
Text scale
Another option you’ll find in Google TV 12 on Chromecast is text size. While it’s long been available on Android on phones and tablets, the option is now available on TVs as well. You can find text scaling under Settings > Display > Text scaling with four options from 85% to 115%. Below you can see a comparison of the smallest text with the largest text options.
Now you can block the surround sound
Google TV 12 also provides more control over audio formats. In the previous update, you could choose between “Automatic”, which will use any audio format your device supports, or “Manual”, which forces the user’s audio formats as an available option. There is now also a ‘none’ option which can turn off the surround sound completely.
“Quick Connect” for Wi-Fi
You’ll also find a new network setting called Quick Connect on Google TV 12 on Chromecast. As Google confirmed to us last year, it’s meant to make it easier to connect your Android TV device (in this case, Chromecast) to Wi-Fi from your smartphone.
As far as we can tell, this requires your smartphone to be running Android 13 as well – at least, it doesn’t work on Samsung devices running Android 12/L, but we were able to find the option on Pixel devices running Android 13. .
TikTok is installed during installation
This change likely It’s exclusive to Chromecast with Google TV (HD), but we’ve seen TikTok as one of the apps Google has included on the device. It is installed as part of the installation, although you can stop it from being installed during the installation.
When will Chromecast (4K) get Google TV 12?
So, everything is new in Android 12 for Chromecast with Google TV, but when will the update come to the 4K model?
Currently, there is no confirmed timeline for when Chromecast with Google TV (4K) will receive the Android 12 update, but it should arrive in the not-too-distant future via a traditional OTA update.
What about Android 13?
Although it is Android 12 and smartphones are now getting Android 13. When will this update come to Google TV? What’s new? Much of this remains to be seen. Early hands-on time with Android TV 13 It is very new and Google has revealed that it is not not released yet Latest version of the update as of late September 2022.
More on Google TV:
FTC: We use automatic affiliate links that generate income. More.