The trend in smart TVs at this year's International CES has kicked off with LG Electronics' unveiling of the webOS smart TV.
LG is displaying webOS-based smart TVs at its booth at 2014 International CES in Las Vegas. Less than a year ago, LG purchased the operating system for smartphones and tablet computers from HP, a move that brought back webOS to life. Disappointing sales of webOS-powered mobile devices in 2011 had prompted HP to shelve its ambitious plans. HP acquired webOS when it bought Palm.
The South Korean consumer electronics giant said the software shall now power a majority of its new smart TVs this year. Being the world's second-largest TV maker, after Samsung Electronics, LG is definitely milking webOS for all its worth.
The software will improve the way viewers navigate smart TV, the company said. It will help in providing a simpler setup process, easier navigation, the ability to search and record shows, and simple switching, which allows users to move from one connected device to another. Voice and gesture-based controls will also be available. Users will also be able to switch between local video content, streaming sources, and a full scale app store, which includes selections like Twitter, Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, Vudu, CinemaNow, and MLB.tv, among others.
The webOS will also make it easy for developers to write applications for the TVs. LG also hopes that through webOS, its TVs can be become more compatible with other devices. More than 70 percent of LG's new smart TVs this year are expected to be powered by webOS.
After the dramatic rise of smartphones, television set makers have gone on an overdrive to invigorate the industry by manufacturing Internet-connected televisions that can also run applications, and LG seems to be one of the companies in leading this effort.
