LG is refurbishing its webOS TV software – and maybe destroying it

There really is not much similarity between the webOS software that works on LG TVs and the Palm smartphones where the operating system started many years ago. But LG’s TV interface is one of my favorites because it’s effective at staying out of the way. When you press the home button on the remote control, a shortcut bar with apps, HDMI inputs, and other destinations slides at the bottom of the screen, but does not completely catch up with what is on the screen. Highlight a streaming app and an additional row will slide up to reveal recommended performances and streaming.

Well, so much for that.

LG is giving webOS a major overhaul for its 2021 TVs. Version 6.0 of the software completely gets rid of the slider and now has a full home screen It looks similar to what you can find on any other TV. The colorful webOS “blades” interface is completely gone. At first glance, everything seems softer. This is just a long list of things. You have a hero area at the top with big banners, then ‘top choices’, followed by programs, home dashboard / u input and a bunch of other categories.

Image: LG

LG says: “the new home screen provides faster access to the most used applications and the discovery of content streamlined, with the ability to receive recommendations based on user preferences and viewing history.” You can see a large “sponsored” slot above left, so yes, you can expect some ads and paid recommendations on the home screen of your future LG TV. (LG’s latest Magic Remote also has shortcut buttons for select streaming apps, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus.)

There will be individual queues for shopping, sports results and the ad-sponsored LG channels – where you can stream free programming – on the home screen. It used to be separate areas of webOS, but now it’s being put in the spotlight. Unfortunately, LG told me there is no way to hide rows you have not used. I really hope that changes.

LG usually does not bring every year’s new version of webOS to previous TVs. So if you’ve bought an LG OLED or LCD TV somewhere in the last few years, this is it probably you will stay at the previous interface. But I asked LG for confirmation of this as the annual changes are not as drastic.

Earlier versions of webOS were colorful and less noticeable.
Image: LG

I do not want to give an inch up or down on webOS 6.0 before I saw it first hand, but my earlier feeling is that it looks like a regression. Maybe it’s just a few days with one of the new sets to master this refreshing layout, and this approach will probably be easier to navigate and more intuitive for non-technicians. But I will miss the touch of whimsy that webOS has had on LG TVs so far.

On the front, LG says that the new remote will have NFC features, so you can tap a smartphone against it to share content on the TV screen. And the list of voice commands for Alexa and Google Assistant has been further expanded in webOS 6.0.

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