LG announces webOS 3.5 for smart TVs

LG will bring webOS 3.5 to smart TVs in 2017. The update of the operating system provides, among other things, a kind of speed dial function and the automatic display of more information about programs. In addition, there is control for 360-degree videos.

My Button allows webOS 3.5 users to associate functions with one of the remote’s nine number buttons, such as opening apps or specific channels. Holding down the number key activates the speed dial-like function.

A new Magic Link feature automatically displays more information about the program the viewer has on. For example, relevant YouTube videos can be shown, or information about actors appears on the screen. The feature should bypass the inconvenience of typing searches.

Users will soon be able to zoom in on a specific part of the screen with the Zoom Magic option, according to LG, for example, to show a single member of a music group. When viewing 360-degree images, the Magic Remote allows you to drag the image to look around and the scroll wheel allows the user to zoom in.

LG will provide more details about the update during CES 2017, which will take place in Las Vegas in early January. Then it must also be clear which LG smart TVs are eligible for the new version of the software. At the moment, LG has only announced the new version of webOS on its Korean website.