LG Electronics has a treat in store for owners of its older, 2019 TVs, with the rollout of its latest webOS variant that provides a full-screen user interface. Even better, users don’t have to stick with the revamped OS if they don’t like it, as they’re being given the option to revert back if they’re not impressed.
The full-screen webOS was delivered to 2020 TV models in May, and LG has finally gotten around to bringing it to the prior year’s models as well. These include the once-popular B9 OLED, as well as its UM and SM LCD TVs. The update is being delivered through firmware version 0.5.40.09 on these TVs, and will soon arrive on higher-end 2019 models like the C9 and E9, though it hasn’t appeared on them yet.
The full-screen OS experience is designed to look like the webOS 6.0 platform, and it provides a very similar experience, though it won’t be the real deal. By replacing the bottom bar menu of the older OS with a full-screen menu, LG has plenty more screen real estate on which to display content and recommendations.
"To answer your question, LG has always strived to support our TVs long after the consumer has purchased it,” David Seperson, director of HE Marketing and Communications at LG, told FlatPanels HD in response to a question. “The current updates that you are asking about to webOS 5.0 are meant to improve usability/navigation for those opting for the new version.”
The key word in Seperson’s quote is “opting”, as those who decide they are not a fan of the revamped experience can shift back to the old OS in the Settings menu. Simply head to Settings > General > Home settings > Home screen style > Basic.
LG’s decision to cater to older TV owners with its new webOS experience is said to be aligned with its newly formulated strategy of becoming a “smart life solution” brand. The idea is that it will generate recurring revenue from its customers with advertising and ad-supported services offered through its devices.
It’s not clear if LG will try to extend the full-screen webOS experience to even older TV models. The company has also declined to say if the new webOS 23 operating system, available on 2023 TVs only, will ever land on its older TVs.
