2016 LG TVs Get Smart TV Update
It looks like smart TVs will try to become even smarter. LG Electronics is updating the webOS smart TV platform that runs its 2016 Internet TVs. It's the first of what we expect to be several announcements about new smart TV systems during CES 2016.
LG isn't quite ready to say which new models will get the updated software, dubbed webOS 3.0. But it has unveiled some of the new features, which include a wider assortment of content, a new mobile app for displaying content from a smartphone or tablet on the TV, and greater ability to use your TV's Magic Remote to control a pay-TV settop box, including DVR functions.
Another feature, called Magic Zoom, lets you increase the size of objects and letters without any loss in picture quality.
With more content coming from diverse sources, a new Channel Plus feature will provide a single channel list that combines over-the-top, or Internet-based, content with your regular broadcast TV channels. The new feature will let you surf through the over-the-top content just like you would regular channels in a program guide. LG says that Channel Plus can be controlled with an app to provide program recommendations via on-screen widgets.
To expand its content offerings, LG has partnered with Xumo for both premium (BuzzFeed, PopSugar) and free (Bloomberg Politics, The Wall Street Journal) digital programming.
Among the other new webOS 3.0 features:
• Channel Advisor, which analyzes viewing patterns to provide program info about frequently watched programs;
• Multi-view, which lets you watch two different sources—such as two channels, or a channel and a Blu-ray movie—simultaneously;
• A music player app that lets you play music through the TV's speakers even when the screen is off;
• And My Channels and Live Menus, which let you create up to 10 favorite channels via the TV's electronic program guide (EPG), and check what's on other favorite channels without leaving the show you're watching.
LG also says that it will have an Internet of Things app that lets you control smart-home appliances—both from LG and other compatible manufacturers—via the TV screen.
LG will be kicking off CES 2016's press day on January 5, and Consumer Reports' will be there to cover all the action. So keep checking back for all of our CES coverage over the coming weeks.
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