Android SDK 4.28.0 modernizes background audio, introduces more control over audio interruptions, and expands Chromecast support to live and DVR streams. The release also improves playback reliability, offline downloads, and DRM handling.

Modernized background audio

Background audio now uses AndroidX Media3 MediaSessionService, with:

• Simpler setup: Enable background audio through MediaServiceController.enable(...).
• Custom notification controls: Configure controls with NotificationButton.
• Optional audio focus handling: Pause playback during interruptions and resume after temporary interruptions when appropriate. Disabled by default.

Upgrade considerations

The SDK now declares MediaService automatically, and notification titles, text, and artwork come from playlist items. Existing custom notification actions remain supported but are deprecated, along with MediaSessionHelper.

Developers using local AAR installations or exhaustive pause-reason handling should review the Android SDK changelog for additional upgrade requirements.

See Enable Background Audio (Android) for implementation guidance.

Live and DVR Chromecast support

Viewers can now cast live and DVR streams to Chromecast devices. Live playback controls appear on the sender device, while DVR streams support seeking and preservation of the viewer's playback position when applicable.

Playback reliability improvements

This release also improves playlist transitions and error recovery, reduces thumbnail memory usage, and provides clearer offline download failure information. Additional fixes address offline Widevine playback, captions, advertisements, and playback stability.

For the complete list of changes, see the Android SDK changelog.