Android
Google’s shift to Android TV 16 and the new Quick Share setup on Android 15: What You Need to Know
Google is making significant changes to Android TV and its file-sharing feature, Quick Share, bringing new improvements and requirements that could impact users across the Android ecosystem. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening and why it matters.
Why Android TV Might Skip Android 15 and Go Directly to 16
Unlike smartphones and tablets, Android TV is primarily a media consumption platform. Google has traditionally updated Android TV to stay aligned with Android’s core development cycle, but TV manufacturers struggle to keep up. Unlike handheld devices, people tend to replace TVs every 5-10 years, based on hardware features, rather than frequent software updates. This less frequent update cycle has led Google to a bi-yearly release schedule for Android TV updates, with the next major version potentially skipping Android 15 to focus on Android 16.
During a recent Android TV partner conference, Google reportedly announced this new release strategy. This isn’t entirely new territory for Google, as they skipped Android TV 13 and jumped straight to Android TV 14. The current version, Android TV 14, is based on the Android 14 codebase. Now, with a likely two-year gap, Android TV’s next big update might launch as Android TV 16 in 2026, aligning with the release of Android 16 for smartphones and tablets.
This shift could streamline development and give TV manufacturers more time to implement updates, although some may wonder if Google might surprise users by going directly to Android TV 17 in 2026. Google has also been testing system-level APIs for Android TV 16, suggesting a focus on Android 16 as the foundation for future Android TV developments.
Features to Expect in Android TV 16 (Or 17)
Currently, it’s unclear what new features might appear in Android TV 16. Most Android TV apps are not part of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), making it challenging to track changes through source code. Google usually unveils new features through developer previews, so any upcoming innovations will likely be shared closer to the release date.
Google’s New Approach with Quick Share in Android 15
In addition to Android TV updates, Google is refining its Quick Share feature for Android devices, aiming to make it more accessible and widely used. Quick Share, originally known as Nearby Share, is Google’s built-in file-sharing solution, designed to be a fast, seamless way to transfer files between Android devices, Chromebooks, and even some Windows PCs.
Since its release in 2020, Quick Share has been available on most Android devices running Android 6.0 or higher with Google Play Services. However, many users are still unaware of its existence. To increase visibility, Google is making Quick Share part of the Android 15 setup process. When setting up a new Android 15 device, users will see a Quick Share configuration page within the setup wizard, making it easier to enable and customize.
Google has mandated that all Android devices launching with Android 15 or later must include this setup screen for Quick Share. Users will be prompted to set their device’s visibility and sharing preferences right from the start, helping them understand Quick Share’s capabilities immediately. This visibility setting allows users to control who can send files to them, enhancing privacy and user control.
OEM Requirements and Custom Solutions
Google’s mandate includes an exception for manufacturers that have their own custom Quick Share implementations using Google’s Nearby SDK. For instance, Samsung has its own version of Quick Share integrated with Google’s Nearby SDK, so Galaxy devices are not required to use Google’s setup page. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be surprising if Samsung adds a similar setup page to improve the user experience and encourage more people to use the feature.
Why These Changes Matter
The shift to Android TV 16 reflects Google’s strategy to keep Android TV updated without overwhelming manufacturers. This biyearly schedule could result in more stable, feature-rich Android TV versions with greater adoption among TV makers.
Meanwhile, Quick Share’s integration into the setup process aims to boost adoption of Google’s file-sharing feature, making it as recognizable on Android devices as Apple’s AirDrop is on iOS. By making Quick Share more accessible, Google is addressing a key usability issue, potentially improving the overall Android experience for millions of users.
Conclusion
Google’s evolving strategy for Android TV and the Quick Share feature shows the company’s focus on long-term improvement and user accessibility. Android TV’s two-year release cycle could bring more innovation to the living room while allowing TV manufacturers to better keep up with updates. At the same time, Quick Share’s integration into Android’s setup wizard ensures that more users know about and can benefit from Android’s convenient file-sharing tool. As these changes roll out, they’ll likely enhance the functionality and usability of both Android TVs and mobile devices in the coming years.
Google has shared the latest Android version usage numbers, showing that Android 15 is still in the early stages of adoption. As of April 2025, only 0.1% of Android devices are using Android 15. This version is currently in its beta phase, mostly available on Pixel and select partner phones. Android 14 leads the way with a 35.2% share, followed by Android 13 at 17.3% and Android 12 at 15.4%. Android 11 still holds 12.4%, showing how long older versions stick around.
Meanwhile, Google is also making changes in its AI efforts. The Gemini AI “prompt bar,” first seen in the Chrome browser, is now being tested in Google Search. This new feature lets users type or click suggestions to ask questions directly using Gemini, making search more interactive. It’s rolling out to more people gradually.
In addition to that, Google introduced Veo, a powerful video generation tool for creators. Veo can make high-quality videos from simple text prompts, using advanced AI to understand scenes, emotions, and cinematic styles. Google is currently letting select creators try Veo through a waitlist.
Together, these updates show how Google is improving both its Android platform and AI services. While Android 15 adoption is just beginning, features like the Gemini prompt bar and Veo highlight the company’s growing focus on AI to enhance user experiences across devices and tools.
Google is rolling out two new updates that aim to improve the experience on Android devices, including the Pixel Watch and Android phones.
First, the Pixel Watch is getting upgraded media controls. With the new update, users can now swipe between different media apps like Spotify and YouTube Music more easily. Instead of going back and forth through menus, you can just swipe left or right to switch apps. The update also adds a shortcut to quickly launch the full media app right from the watch. This makes listening to music or podcasts much smoother and faster.
Meanwhile, Google is testing a new feature for Android phones called the “bubble bar.” This new feature is meant to replace or enhance the current taskbar and app dock. It looks like a small floating bar with app icons, similar to bubbles. Users can easily switch between apps without going back to the home screen. The bubble bar could be especially helpful for larger-screen devices like foldables or tablets, making multitasking simpler.
These updates show how Google is working to make Android more user-friendly across different devices. While the Pixel Watch update is starting to roll out now, the bubble bar is still being tested, so it may take a while before it becomes available to everyone.
Android Auto has recently had a small but annoying problem—its weather card isn’t showing up for many users. Usually, this feature shows the current temperature and weather condition in the top corner of the dashboard, which is helpful while driving. But now, for a lot of people, it’s either missing or just showing a blank space.
Reports about this issue have been popping up on Google’s support forums and Reddit over the past week. Some users say the card disappeared after a recent Android Auto update, while others noticed it went away without any changes to their apps or settings.
What’s odd is that Google hasn’t confirmed if this is a bug or a planned change. As of now, there’s no official fix or update. Some users tried restarting their phones, clearing cache, or reinstalling the app, but these steps didn’t work for everyone.
This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Android Auto has had similar issues with the weather card in the past, which were usually fixed through updates. Until Google releases a fix or gives more info, users will just have to wait and hope the card comes back soon.
If you’re affected, it’s a good idea to keep your app and phone updated in case a fix rolls out.
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