It seems Kodi 18 is set to gain some new features which will likely be welcomed by those who often use Kodi on Android TV, recommendations and voice search. Team Kodi has now released a new video which showcases the two new features in action while also confirming that the new features are already live in a nightly build of Kodi 18 – which Android TV users can download and install now. Although, as this is a nightly build, it should be expected that it probably won’t be as smooth of an experience as the stable version.
On the recommendation side of things, recommendations for shows, movies, and music, will all start to appear in the recommendations feed on the leanback launcher – much like content does for most other Android TV integrated apps. According to the details, Kodi will offer suggestions for movies based on movies that you have yet to watch. While TV show recommendations will be based on shows that you have watched, but for new episodes that you have yet to see. Likewise, music suggestions will also be on offer, providing the user has music stored within Kodi. In terms of the voice search, this has always been an issue on Android TV, and especially with some third-party apps like Kodi. The usability and interface of the feature works like it does for any other voice search-supported app on Android TV. Hitting the mic/voice search button will allow you to search for content directly from the Android TV leanback launcher, without having to launch Kodi first. Once a search is performed, if the title is available through Kodi, then Kodi will show up as one of the options in the search results. Allowing the user to directly click through to the Kodi page. It is also worth noting that this feature also transcends to within the Kodi app as well. So once in the Kodi app, you will be able to use the voice search function, instead of having to type out searches.
Both new features are going to be live for everyone when Kodi 18 becomes available as a stable public release. Although as mentioned, you can download what is essentially a beta version of the app and install it now to test out the new features. Alternatively, you can check out the latest Team Kodi video in full below, which highlights the two new features in more detail.
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