LG Acquires WebOS from HP to Enhance Smart TV
LG Electronics Inc. has acquired the WebOS operating system technology from HP, the companies announced Monday.
To support its next-generation Smart TV technology, LG has entered into a definitive agreement with HP to acquire the source code, associated documentation, engineering talent and related websites associated with WebOS.
As part of the transaction, LG also will receive licenses under HP’s intellectual property (IP) for use with its WebOS products, including patents acquired from Palm covering fundamental operating system and user interface technologies now in broad use across the industry.
The announcement paves the way for continued innovation on the WebOS platform and on LG’s roadmap of solutions for many years to come, while allowing HP to focus its resources on strategic business opportunities such as cloud computing.
Meanwhile, to understand the extent of evolution taking place in the TV marketplace, RMN Digital invited IMN’s founder and CEO Steven Turner to discuss the latest trends. Here he comes in an exclusive interview with RMN Digital managing editor, Rakesh Raman. (Read: “Days of the Dumb Box Coming to an End”)
[ Also Read: TV Gets Smart and Social with Nintendo TVii ]
Offering a host of new applications and easy access to content, the 2013 Smart TV line from LG Electronics (LG) will include an updated Magic Remote for a simplified, intuitive user experience (UX). (Read: LG Unveils Smart TVs with Voice Mate for 2013)
Moreover, after equipping its Smart TVs with Google TV, LG Electronics is expanding its 2013 Google TV lineup to seven models in five screen sizes for 2013. (Read: How LG Plans to Show Google on Your TV)
“The open and transparent WebOS technology offers a compelling user experience that, when combined with our own technology, will pave the way for future innovations using the latest Web technologies,” said Skott Ahn, president and chief technology officer, LG Electronics Inc.
HP and LG do not expect this transaction to have a material impact on either company’s financial statements. Terms were not disclosed.
Photo courtesy: LG
