LG to Launch webOS Platform for Smart TV Apps

LG Electronics has announced that webOS, which was purchased from Hewlett-Packard in March last year, has been reinvented and reintroduced as LG’s new Smart TV platform. The webOS platform will be implemented in more than 70 percent of LG’s Smart TVs in 2014. 

The Linux-based webOS was initially developed and launched by Palm in 2009 and the platform was purchased by HP in 2010. In February, 2013 HP announced it was entering an agreement with LG to acquire the patents, source code, documentation, licenses and employees working with the platform. 

For the first time the user who turns on the webOS-enabled LG Smart TV, an animated character named BeanBird appears onscreen to help get connected and walk the user through the setup process. 

The new Launcher, a left-to-right scrollable menu that runs along the lower portion of the screen makes it possible to switch between broadcast TV, smart TV content and media stored on external devices without having to return to the Home screen. It allows the viewer to simultaneously watch a show, play a game or browse the internet while searching or downloading other content. Live Menu, which can be opened while viewing the TV, keeps the search, recommendation and channel options within reach.

 

The Today menu is a one-stop content recommendation service, suggesting popular TV shows, programs that have been missed as well as full-feature movies. Running horizontally along the center of the screen, the Today bar can also be scrolled up or down via the Magic Remote wheel to reveal more viewing options.

 

LG’s webOS also offers access to the LG Store’s app store. The LG Store lets users browse the most-viewed and most-downloaded items available from across the Smart TV platform, including broadcast TV programs and the latest games. The categories, which include 3D content, games and movies, employ thumbnail images for selection of content.