Smart TV maker LG announced tonight that it’s opening up its webOS smart TV software, making the platform available for other companies to license. In a press release, the company says it’s already lined up more than 20 TV manufacturing partners interested in leveraging the software.
“The webOS platform is one of the easiest and most convenient way to access millions of hours of movies and TV shows,” Park Hyoung-sei, president of the LG Home Entertainment Company, said in a press release. “By welcoming other manufacturers to join the webOS TV ecosystem, we are embarking on a new path that allows many new TV owners to experience the same great UX and features that are available on LG TVs. We look forward to bringing these new customers into the incredible world of webOS TV.”
Among the TV makers mentioned in the press release are names like RCA, Konka, and Ayonz. The company says the move to license webOS to other companies marks a move beyond just making TVs into growing webOS as a broader platform.
This year has already been an active one for LG’s webOS. At CES 2021, the company announced webOS 6.0, a revamped version of its smart TV software, bringing with it an improved user interface. However, The Verge reports that the licensed versions of webOS will initially be based on the earlier 5.0 version of the software. We’ll certainly be on the lookout for future smart TVs from other manufacturers to see how they take advantage of LG’s platform.
Featured Image: LG