LG updating 2014 Smart TVs to WebOS 2.0

LG, the Korea-based conglomerate that makes everything from smartphones to televisions, has a new software upgrade in the works for TV owners. LG also announced at free firmware update for 2014 WebOS smart TVs “to give owners virtually all of the new WebOS 2.0 features that debuted on this year’s new smart-TV models”.

The new version offers a few interface tweaks and improves shortcuts, including the ability to add TV channels directly to the launcher bar (above), but surely the most welcome improvement is in response time.

Meanwhile, LG also inked a deal with satellite TV provider DirecTV that will let LG Smart TV owners running webOS 2.0 watch DirecTV programming from within the software. With the new service, subscribers won’t need extra boxes, as DIRECTV capability is built into the TVs.

With the DirecTV Ready app, subscribers who own a Genie HD DVR and select LG displays can access a full HD DVR experience on each supported LG TV in their home without the need for extra set-top boxes. Subscribers with an LG 4K Ultra HD TV can enjoy new releases as well as their favorite classic films with, according to the company four times the resolution of HD. The closest it has come to LG’s level of free upgrade is tweaking the initial menu bar of its 2014 TVs to look more like the 2015 version (complete with an ad).

Also coming to the platform later this month are streaming-music apps from Rdio and iHeartRadio. However, they’ve historically been loath to update previous-generation software, or have charged customers hundreds of dollars to get their updated platforms on older TVs.

The DirecTV Ready-enabled TV models are the LG LF6300 and EG9100.

Image Source: http://i.ytimg.com/LG Smart TV to get free upgrade to WebOS 2.0, but what will be the changes offered? If automatic update is not enabled, users will receive a pop-up message on their screen to guide them through the process. TVs eligible for the upgrade include the LB6300, LB6500, LB7100, LB7200, UB8500, UB9200, UB9300, UB9500, UB9800, EC9300, EC9700 and EG9700. The earlier TVs run webOS 1.0. Agreement to smart TV terms and conditions required to use certain smart features.