Key Takeaways
- LG WebOS is a user-friendly Smart TV OS packed with innovative features.
- WebOS focuses on simplicity, speed, and easy access to streaming services.
- LG’s standout webOS features include AI integration, accessibility options, and personalized content recommendations.
When it comes to smart TVs, LG’s WebOS stands out as a leader in user-friendly interface and innovative features. Plus, it’s my top pick as the best overall smart TV operating system, at least in my personal experience. So what is WebOS?
Introduced by LG in 2014, WebOS is an operating system designed specifically for smart TVs. WebOS stands out by offering a more seamless and intuitive user experience, with a focus on simplicity and speed, and easy access to a variety of streaming services. In general, those familiar with WebOS feel that it has revolutionized the way TVs are operated.
After all, WebOS is built around a minimalist, intuitive interface, with a customizable, ribbon-like launcher that lets you easily switch between apps, live TV, and connected devices. So whether you’re streaming movies, browsing apps, or connecting your TV to other smart home devices, WebOS feels smooth and responsive across the board.
Many consumers focus on the brand and model of their TV, rather than the specific operating system it uses. They may not understand the role the OS plays in their overall viewing experience. However, a closer look at LG’s premium webOS features reveals why LG’s operating system has set a high standard in the smart TV industry and continues to be a consumer favorite.
1 WebOS and AI
At the forefront of smart TV technology
LG/Pocket Lint
Recently, many major TV manufacturers have been focusing on improving the accessibility of their smart TVs, and Quick Cards is one of the solutions in LG webOS 24. Located centrally on the homepage, this feature allows users to easily access and utilize the various accessibility features on their TV. The Quick Cards feature provides easy access to features such as audio descriptions, subtitles, and visual demonstrations of what happens when you enable accessibility options.
The Accessibility Quick Cards not only highlight these features but also showcase how they work, making it easier for users who need them to understand and enable the accessibility settings they need from the home screen. The Quick Cards feature is a huge improvement over previous WebOS versions, where accessibility options were buried deep in the settings menu and were much harder to find, and actually quite counterintuitive for users who need them the most.
2 LG ThinQ App Integration
Personalized content recommendations
LG / Pocket Lint
ThinQ is a premium feature that offers natural language voice control through Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, allowing users to manage their TV and seamlessly connect their smart home devices. It also provides personalized content recommendations based on past viewing habits and a comprehensive home dashboard for easy management of IoT devices.
What’s more, AI Picture Pro and AI Sound Pro optimize image and sound quality in real time, bringing you the best audiovisual experience.
AI Picture Pro, For example, it uses deep learning algorithms to recognise the type of content you’re watching and automatically adjusts picture settings for optimal picture quality, delivering vibrant colours and sharp details, while AI Sound Pro analyses audio content in real time and tailors sound settings to suit genres like dialogue-heavy movies, sports and music – for a truly immersive experience.
ThinQ AI essentially turns your TV into a central hub for entertainment and smart home control.
3 AI Chatbots
A revolution in troubleshooting
LG/Pocket Lint
The AI chatbot tool in LG WebOs is designed to enhance user interaction by providing intuitive voice and text-based support. The AI chatbot can answer questions, provide personalized content recommendations and help with setting up your TV or troubleshooting issues such as the screen being too dim or the sound being too low.
Integration with voice assistants such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa provides hands-free control of the TV and connected smart home devices, and the chatbot functionality leverages advanced natural language processing to understand and respond to user queries, allowing users to easily control TV functions, discover new content and manage their smart home ecosystem more efficiently and conveniently.
4 Browse the LG Content Store
Explore the different options
While key apps like Netflix come pre-installed, WebOS allows you to download additional apps from the LG Content Store to expand the capabilities of your Smart TV and further cater to your personal preferences. The LG Content Store offers a wide range of applications, including Hulu, Disney+ and YouTube. You can browse different categories, including entertainment, sports, news and games, to find and install the apps you want. The store also offers movies, TV shows and additional content available to purchase or rent.