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LG to unveil webOS 2.0 for Smart TVs at CES

LG webOS interface

New UI will be faster and smoother, with boot times reduced by up to 60 per cent, says LG

LG’s webOS interface for its 2014 range of Smart TVs (including the Best Buy-winning LG 47LB730V) is one of the best we’ve seen all year, but now LG is set to reveal a newer, faster version of its card-based interface at CES in January. According to LG, the webOS 2.0 update will reduce boot time by 60 per cent and the whole system will be smoother and faster than its predecessor. 

“With the newest features introduced in webOS 2.0, the overall user experience has become even simpler, easier and more intuitive. The webOS platform is a great example of our commitment to taking a leadership role in the next generation TV market with a truly innovative Smart TV solution,” said In-kyu Lee, senior vice president and head of the TV and monitor division at the LG Electronics Home Entertainment Company. “When switching from the Smart TV HomeScreen to YouTube, for example, users will see an improvement in loading time of up to 70 per cent.”

LG isn’t simply making the interface faster, however. It’s also adding a new feature in the form of My Channels. This allows users to customise which live TV channels appear on the launcher bar, so your favourite shows are only a button press away. Quick Settings also lets you adjust the TV options without affecting whatever’s onscreen at the time, while Input Picker will instantly recognise any connected devices such as your Blu-ray player or games console. 

Part of what makes LG’s webOS interface so easy to use is its Magic Remote, which has a built-in motion sensor. This means you can run through the TV’s various menu options simply by pointing the remote at the screen and use the central scroll wheel to select your chosen option. It works in a very similar way to a Nintendo Wii Remote, but all TVs have a more traditional remote as well so you have a full range of controls at your disposal. 

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