Android SDK 4.26.0 adds configurable live playback latency and modernizes core playback and advertising components. This release also improves playlist replay, Picture-in-Picture, DAI, Chromecast, and caption behavior.

New Features

• A new PlaylistItem.liveSyncDuration property lets you configure how far behind the live edge playback targets.
• The core playback architecture has been upgraded to AndroidX Media3 (ExoPlayer) 1.10.0, including media source creation, and side-loaded caption handling.
• The Google IMA SDK has been upgraded to version 3.39.0, with added timeout protection for ad requests.

Bug Fixes

• Playlist items configured with startTime now apply the value only to initial playback. Repeated playback begins from the start of the item.
• The player UI is correctly hidden when the system automatically enters Picture-in-Picture mode.
• Content can automatically enter Picture-in-Picture mode when an app is backgrounded on Android 12 and later.
• Skipping a playlist item during a DAI ad no longer causes the player to crash.
• Captions remain available after connecting to a Chromecast device and can be disabled during casting.