Exploring Kodi 20.5 Update: What's New and What to Expect Next

If you enjoy media centers and all things entertainment, you're probably acquainted with Kodi, the flexible platform formerly known as XBMC. With compatibility for a wide number of devices, Kodi has become a popular alternative for individuals wishing to simplify their video consumption.

What's New in Kodi 20.5?

The latest update, Kodi 20.5, comes as a welcome addition to the current Kodi 20 branch. While we eagerly await the upcoming Kodi 21 release, the developers have rolled out this interim update to address some crucial issues and enhance the user experience.

Bug Fixes and Improvements

Controller Support Revisions: In response to issues encountered with the 20.4 update, Kodi 20.5 reverts changes related to controller support that led to significant failures on Android devices. This adjustment aims to ensure smoother functionality across various platforms. Enhanced Audio Playback: Audio playback has been fine-tuned in Kodi 20.5 to align with the upcoming Kodi 21 Omega update. Expect improved audio performance that enhances your viewing and listening pleasure. Add-On Support: The update introduces support for the “inputstream.ffmpegdirect” addon on iOS and tvOS, expanding the capabilities of Kodi on these platforms. Additionally, brand colors have been integrated into the Flathub store on Linux, offering a visually enhanced experience for users.

User Recommendations

As the development team highlights, Kodi 20.5 is a point release, meaning it brings incremental improvements without major overhauls. Users can seamlessly install this update over their existing Kodi 20.x installations, with many platforms facilitating automatic updates. However, it's always a good practice to back up your data before any software update to safeguard your important information.

What's on the Horizon with Kodi 21?

While Kodi 20.5 sets the stage for a more polished user experience, all eyes are on the imminent release of Kodi 21. This next iteration promises a host of under-the-hood enhancements geared toward streamlining future updates and maintenance processes.

Anticipated Features

1. M3U8 Playlist Support: Kodi 21 will introduce read and write support for M3U8 music playlists, enhancing playlist management for users. 2. Enhanced Audio and Video Support: Expect improved Dolby Vision support, better passthrough audio format support on Linux devices, and visual enhancements tailored for Windows users. As we brace ourselves for the arrival of Kodi 21, these upcoming features hint at an even more robust and user-friendly media center experience. To summarize, Kodi continues to improve, with each release bringing us closer to a seamless video-watching experience. Whether you're a seasoned Kodi user or just starting out, these enhancements will make your entertainment experience more immersive and pleasurable. Stay tuned for more amazing innovations in Kodi!