LG Targets ‘Second Screen’ TV Market with Connect SDK

RMN Digital | April 18, 2014 | Consumer, Personal Tech, TVs, Cameras | No Comments

LG Electronics is making Connect SDK, an open source software development kit, available to Google Android and iOS developers to extend their mobile experience across big TV screens around the world.

By unifying device discovery and connectivity across multiple television platforms, Connect SDK is claimed to be the first initiative to address the complexity associated with implementing second screen capabilities while reaching the largest installed base of smart TVs and connected devices.

For consumers, this means that LG’s new Smart TVs, powered by the webOS platform, as well as other popular TV devices, will be able to connect and interact with more mobile apps – further enhancing their second screen television experience.

Using Connect SDK, application developers can connect their mobile applications with 2014 LG webOS Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs from 2012 and 2013, Roku, Google Chromecast, and Amazon Fire TV devices:

Mobile applications with photos, videos, and audio can beam media to four TV platforms. Applications with YouTube videos can beam them to all LG Smart TVs dating back to 2012, Roku 3, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, and most DIAL-enabled devices.
Developers can build TV-optimized web applications and media viewers and use them across LG webOS Smart TVs and Google Chromecast.
TV application developers can use their mobile apps to promote the existence of their TV app on 2014 LG webOS Smart TVs and 2013 LG Smart TVs, as well as Roku devices.

Samuel Chang, LG Electronics USA vice president and head of the LG Silicon Valley Lab, sees seamless multi-device connectivity as a big opportunity for app developers and consumers alike. “Connect SDK is breaking down barriers to enable apps and devices to work together harmoniously. The screen size, capabilities and social nature of Smart TVs enable experiences that consumers will absolutely love.”

Connect SDK for iOS, Android and Cordova/PhoneGap plugins are available under Apache License 2.0.

Photo courtesy: LG