Skip to main content

Google says Android TV Q update doesn’t need to ‘be on the same timeline,’ talks more numbers

Android TV wasn’t even mentioned in the Google I/O keynote this year, but that doesn’t mean we’re not getting news about the platform. In a further session, Google revealed some new numbers regarding Android TV, as well as details about the Q update.

One thing that was heavily featured in Google’s presentation yesterday was Android Q. The latest version of the platform delivers a ton of great features for users, but it seems there’s no timeline in place for Q to hit Android TV.

Speaking to Variety, Google essentially confirmed that we won’t see Q on Android TV any time in the near future. This shouldn’t really come as a huge shock, as Android Pie has still barely landed on any Android TV devices. Still, though, it’s a shame to see it behind on the latest updates.

Google’s Head of Android TV, Shalini Govil-Pai, explained that the platform doesn’t “necessarily need to be on the same timeline.”

Google also confirmed (via Android Headlines) that over 80% of Android TV devices are running on Nougat and above, with 60% adoption of Android Oreo by the end of this year. Oreo, if you’ll recall, introduced a huge redesign to the Android TV platform, so getting that on as many devices as possible is likely a big deal for Google.

At the same session, Google also detailed a first look at a revamped Play Store.

Further talking to Variety at I/O 2019, Google confirmed some more numbers for the platform. This included that Android TV’s huge collection of 5,000 apps has approximately 70-75% US customer reach, meaning quite a few are still locked to specific devices, countries, or are operator exclusives (i.e. apps locked to TiVo devices and other Pay TV operators).

More on Android TV:

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel