The webOS operating system is coming to third-party gaming monitors after LG Electronics announced an extension of its program to license the software to other brands.
Monitors that run webOS will have easier access to cloud-based video game streaming services via apps such as Nvidia’s GeForce now, which come pre-installed with the software.
LG has previously had a lot of success in licensing the webOS software to third-party TV makers, and the webOS Hub platform has appeared on hundreds of televisions from mostly mid-market brands, such as Blaupunkt, Konka and Seiki. The initiative sees LG go head-to-head with other TV software makers, such as Google, Roku and Amazon, as well as Samsung Electronics, which licenses its Tizen platform to other brands, including Germany’s Loewe.
The Korean company first said it will expand webOS Hub to monitor makers last November. The latest version of the software, webOS Hub 2.0S, offers a very similar experience to webOS 23 for TVs, with built-in streaming applications such as Netflix, YouTube and Spotify. However, the user interface is quite different and it lacks many of the capabilities of the full webOS platform available in LG’s own products.
To better cater to monitor manufacturers, LG said it has updated webOS Hub to support up to 180Hz with Variable Refresh Rate gaming. It also integrates the company’s Game Dashboard and Game Optimizer features that provide easy access to game-related settings.
Smart monitors that integrate the platform will also be compatible with Apple Home and AirPlay 2, so iPhone and iPad users will be able to wirelessly connect to it and access movies, music and photos from their devices on them.
In addition, webOS Hub supports USB cameras, remote PCs and video calls.
According to LG, a number of monitor makers have already sought to license the software, and one of the first devices to use it will be Acer, in its soon-to-launch Acer Nitro GS272U. It’s expected to go on sale in the first quarter of next year with a price tag of around 600 euros.
Last year, LG said it had brought webOS to more than 300 TV brands.
