LG deploys Smart TVs at IFA

LG is pushing its smart TVs at IFA in Germany. The idea is that TVs are going to become “computers” that can browse the web and use web services like Yahoo, Picassa or YouTube. With the change in function, comes a change in user interface. LG is now using a magic wand remote that allows users to point and click instead of moving step by step in four directions. That’s an big improvement for an interactive TV. The television can also stream content from a local media server via Ethernet.

This is an interesting evolution, but we have to wonder if it takes away the simplicity of using a TV - it’s hard to tell without testing it. Clearly, studies have shown that users do like the TV because it’s simple… maybe even “mindless”. Amusingly, many “smart” TVs don’t yet have a functional and interactive TV guide… let’s hope that this is not the case for the new LG TVs. More info at LGE/ifa2010