Credit: Adamya Sharma / Android Authority
- LG is opening the Web OS to third-party TV makers.
- 20 manufacturers around the world have already committed to incorporating the Web OS into their TVs.
- Web OS TV licensees will receive the familiar Web OS 5.0 UX design.
LG is opening its Web OS TV platform to third-party TV brands, the company announced in a press release. The move could spell trouble for Google’s Android TV platform, which is also found on many smart TVs and streaming boxes.
Even if you find an Android TV device easier to purchase on a budget, it is not the most popular smart TV operating system. According to research firm Strategy Analytics, Samsung’s Tizen OS and LG’s Web OS follow Android TV when it comes to connected TV devices in use around the world. That said, cheaper Android TV sets from manufacturers like Xiaomi and other Chinese manufacturers have given Google’s platform a competitive edge in some markets.
With the democratization of LG’s Web OS, it’s not only facing Android TV and Samsung’s Tizen OS, but also Amazon’s Roku and Fire TV. LG says its move has the potential to significantly increase “its presence and prominence in the global home entertainment market”.
Read also: Web OS vs Android TV: What are the differences?
The South Korean company says more than 20 manufacturers worldwide have already committed to incorporating the Web OS into their TVs. This includes brands like RCA, Ayonz and Konka.
Web OS TV licensees will receive the familiar UX design of Web OS 5.0, says the company The Verge. This means that the redesign of Web OS 6.0 that LG introduced at CES this year will not apply to partner devices yet.
TVs with third-party operating systems will also have key platform features like voice search, access to LG’s excellent magic remote control and support for popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube and more. In addition, the company will also be able to get more attention on its ad-supported LG channels.