LG equips 2016 line of smart TVs with webOS 3.0

LG updates its smart TV platform webOS to version 3.0. TVs that the Korean manufacturer will bring to the market in 2016 will receive the operating system, but it is not known whether older TVs can also look forward to an update.

The three most important changes that LG is making to webOS are functions that the manufacturer refers to under the name ‘Magic’: Magic Zoom, Magic Mobile Connection and an updated version of the Magic Remote. Magic Zoom allows users to enlarge parts and text without compromising image quality.

Magic Mobile Connection allows smartphones to be connected to the TVs, for example to display apps on the screen via LG’s TV Plus app. The Magic Remote should be able to handle set-top boxes more easily with the next generation of LG smart TVs.

In addition, there will be a multi-view option for simultaneously watching multiple channels or a Blu-ray movie and a TV channel, a music app appears and LG comes with an internet-of-things app, that enables control of smart home components via the television. LG does not disclose whether TV models with webOS from 2015 or earlier can expect an upgrade to 3.0.

Last weekend the news appeared that LG had put part of the webOS team on the street. At the time, the company said it would continue to develop the operating system.