Android TV and Google TV are moving to app bundles from 2023

22 November 2022
Developers are expected to switch from APKs to AABs for storage optimization.

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RealLifePhones, 22 Nov 2022The reason people uninstall apps is because GOOGLE (and oth... moreI mean, when youre making a streaming device, most of the buget is soaked up in the remote, processor, and the graphics/audio processing. when youre trying to make a 50$ streaming stick that runs efficiently and outputs at 4k, you cant really add more storage without upping the price

    SShock, 22 Nov 2022How does that even work with AAB ? The end of convenient si... moreThat's the problem with AAB as the app is packaged in multiple files, unlike APK. Also, with AAB, you give all the coding assets to Google* and they will make an optimized APK for a certain device.

    *https://beebom.com/apk-vs-aab/

      YUKI93, 22 Nov 2022"Developers are expected to switch from APKs to AABs f... moreHow does that even work with AAB ? The end of convenient sideloading of APK's?

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • 4GA
        • 22 Nov 2022

        why would devs ever optimize when hardware improvements will still run their heavier, worse code for "updates" to the app. it's all in line with planned obsolescence. as long as that exists, things like this are pointless, aside from the fact its arguably worse than what it's replacing

          since TVs are used a lot longer than smartphone, Google should push more strict guidelines for Android TV branding and Google Play Store for Android TV certification, that includes better chipset for varite decoding support and better software support for longevity.

            • g
            • gimmick
            • Q6y
            • 22 Nov 2022

            if they can make app bundles to reduce the storage capacity we should be able to have the individual apps have reduced storage...

              "Developers are expected to switch from APKs to AABs for storage optimization."

              Yeah, best of luck with that. I still see a lot of Android app devs still favor APK because of its flexibility. You can keep the app as a single file and simply install it on any phone regardless of screen hardware. Trying doing that with AAB.

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • 58Z
                • 22 Nov 2022

                This is good news considering the limited storage space on Chromecasts, but hopefully it won't have a performance hit - the Android TV 12 update noticeably made my 4k Chromecast slower already.

                  • N
                  • NoBot
                  • MB{
                  • 22 Nov 2022

                  I believe app bundles also are so much in favour since they pave the path to better control over "app updates", now happening on *their* servers, instead of users smartphones. Also: lesser options for offline utilisation. Thus: tighter control...

                    The reason people uninstall apps is because GOOGLE (and others) makes a streaming stick with only 8GB of storage with over half already taken up by the OS and after installing 3 streaming apps reaches it's limit 🙄 troll company

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