LG Electronics has apparently caved into pressure from older TV owners, confirming to media that it’s planning to add support for Apple’s AirPlay 2 wireless protocol and its HomeKit smart home hub to some 2018 TVs.
LG was, together with Samsung, Sony and Vizio, a launch partner for Apple when it announced the services, along with the new Apple TV app, would be coming to its 2019 TVs. However, it said at the time that it would not be bringing the features to its older models, as it “could not guarantee a seamless experience”.
That decision prompted hundreds of complaints from LG TV owners, and resulted in more than 20,000 people signing a petition on Change.org asking the company to reconsider.
Now, it seems that LG has finally listened to its customers. In a support document first spotted by MacRumors that has since been deleted, the company mentioned plans for an update to bring AirPlay 2 and HomeKit to some of its 2018 TVs.
AirPlay 2 is a wireless protocol that enables users to stream video, music, images and podcasts directly to a compatible TV via their iPhone, iPad or Mac computer. As for HomeKit, this enables users to control various TV functions including the power switch, volume, source, channels and more, via Siri or Apple’s Home app.
The support page said its B8, C8, E8, G8 and W8 OLED TVs will all be getting support for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit, along with the SK and UK models in its 2018 LCD TV range. The firmware update is expected to be pushed out by October 2020, though the timing could change.
In addition, LG’s 2018 TVs will also get access to the Apple TV app later this year in a second planned update.
