Your next smart TV might be powered by LG’s webOS

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At CES 2021, LG showed the world what webOS 6.0 will look like. The smart TV platform is adding things like Stadia and GeForce NOW streaming, and soon you might not need to buy a TV from LG to use it. That’s because LG is licensing webOS to other brands, with RCA, Ayonz, and Konka already signed up.

That’s the business model that both Roku and Amazon’s Fire TV have adopted, supplying the software platform for other company’s TV hardware.

That’s likely a win-win, with the larger name recognition of LG helping to sell lesser-known brands, while their TVs introduce new markets to all that webOS has to offer. It will also provide LG valuable data to improve its own devices, from a wider pool of users.

LG’s licensing partners get a whole bunch of stuff, including:

Licensees of webOS TV receive the familiar and highly acclaimed UX design along with a rich pool of features such as voice search and control, integrated AI algorithms, and easy connectivity that have earned webOS positive industry and consumer accolades. With LG webOS TV, partners also get a diversity of content options including access to global streaming service apps such as Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and sports streaming service DAZN as well as LG Channels, the company’s free premium content streaming service. Compatible TV models also include the dedicated Magic Motion remote controller.

At present, the “powered by webOS TV” platform is based on the older, webOS 5.0, so no fancy Stadia or GeForce NOW game streaming for now. It will be interesting to see how updates are handled, as you’d reasonably expect OS updates on any smart TV.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• LG is considering rolling out of the smartphone market
• For some reason, you’ll soon be able to watch TikTok on Samsung smart TVs
• Apple TV+ is now on Chromecast with Google TV
• Luna, the cloud gaming service from Amazon, is now available on Fire TV devices without an invite

Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.