Sony will release Android 7.0 (Nougat) for its Android TVs starting Wednesday, May 31. The new software includes features such as Picture-in-Picture, Google Cast 4K, support for HLG HDR, and the option to use multiple Google accounts.
Update 2.6.2017: Sony has issued the following statement regarding the 2015 and 2016 M1 Android TVs: - "The plan is still to update the remaining Android models but no time frame has been announced. Currently, we are rolling out to 2016 M2 and 2017 models."
Sony has only just finished rolling out Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) to its TVs. The company has now begun rolling out version 7.0 (Nougat).
The first models to benefit from the new software are 2017 and late 2016 TVs. Sony had promised to bring version 7.0 to all TVs from 2015 and later but the early Android TVs are seemingly not included in the first phase.
Some owners in the US have already received the new software but Sony says that the official roll-out starts on May 31.
- "We are pleased to announce that our Android TVs now will be updated to Android Nougat (7.0). New software update will gradually roll-out starting from May 31st and we plan to finish deploying the new firmware by end of June," Sony told FlatpanelsHD.
PiP, HLG, Google Cast 4K etc.
The update will add new features such as PiP (picture-in-picture) in apps, the option to use multiple Google accounts on your TV, support for bluetooth headphones (limited to select 2017 models), Google Cast 4K, and support for the HLG HDR format. The new software also includes bug fixes and performance optimizations.
Furthermore, Android 7.0 includes features that re not highlighted by Sony such as a new multitasking menu, deeper HDR support on a system level, app recording capabilities, and more.
The company says that Dolby Vision “will follow in a later update” for the A1 OLED as well as X93E, X94E, and Z9D.
A few weeks ago, Google announced the next major version of Android (version 8.0) that will introduce a revamped user interface. Follow the link to watch our first impressions video. When asked, Sony said that it had nothing to announce regarding Android 8.0 yet.
Unique features: Picture-in-Picture mode Half-screen settings mode Task-switching (quickly access recently used apps) Multiple Google accounts Google Cast 4K content via built-in Chromecast Ability to switch to TV viewing mode from Home menu with PROG +/- or number buttons Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) HDR content Voice search web browser functionality Improved category list design Improved Wi-Fi password input screen
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