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Sorry, Android: LG shifts to webOS for 2014 TV lineup

Published Jan 6th, 2014 8:55AM EST
LG webOS TV

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As Google gets ready to give its TV efforts a huge adrenaline shot in 2014 after its Google TV efforts flopped so spectacularly, LG has announced that it’s heading in a different direction in 2014. The South Korea-based electronics giant said last year that it would use its newly acquired webOS platform to power TVs, and it said the first such set would launch in 2014. Well, 2014 is now here and LG has no plans of breaking its promise. In fact, just the opposite: LG on Monday announced that webOS will power more than 70% of its smart TV lineup in 2014.

Preliminary details of LG’s plans for webOS TVs were announced in a press release on Monday morning and it looks like the devices will focus on three core features: Simple Connection, which uses an animated character named “Binbeodeu” (which translates to “Bean Bird,” though the character might have a different name outside of Korea) to assist users during the setup and configuration processes; Simple Switching, which is a reimagining of webOS’s card interface that facilitates quick and easy app switching; and Simple Discovery, which helps users find new content.

LG’s new webOS TVs will debut in South Korea and will then launch in the U.S. and Europe. Additional rollout details are expected to be revealed during LG’s CES 2014 press conference which takes place Monday at 11:00 a.m. EST.

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.