By John Bugailiskis
LAS VEGAS — LG today launched media day at CES 2022 in Las Vegas with its “The Better Life You Deserve” theme of how its products can “elevate all aspects of daily life though technological and design innovation.”
Apparently, LG did not get the memo CES 2022 is supposed to be an in-person event and instead released a 29-minute pre-taped video covering its latest products and services.
The video opens in the home of Ellie, who is trying to bake a cake and is joined by neighbour Carol, who tries to understand why Ellie’s home has more LG products than most Best Buys.
As Carol stumbles and fumbles around the house we learn LG now offers a new 97” OLED evo TV (pricing and availability undetermined), and an LG StandbyME (shown above), a wireless private mobile display that can be placed anywhere in your home.
Viewers can also mirror content from one TV to another in the home using Room to Room Share, which enables the viewing of cable or satellite content on another TV via Wi-Fi without an additional set-top-box. Ellie uses this feature to send her cake recipe to the kitchen screen.
Carol tells Ellie she can even upgrade her LG washer and dryer by downloading software upgrades. Sadly, you still have to take clothes out of the washer and place them in the dryer by yourself. Hopefully LG’s AI-powered CLOi door-to-door delivery robot, which was also shown in the video, will be upgraded to offer this service in the future.
The latest version of LG’s Smart TV platform utilizes a webOS 22 update to create personal profiles so users can set up fast access to streaming services, get content recommendations based on viewing history and receive real time alerts to keep up with favorite sports teams. Logging into profiles can be performed either from the TV browser, or from a smartphone with NFC Magic Tap.
NFC Magic Tap can also be used to mirror a mobile device screen to an LG TV. LG says screen mirroring is supported in compatible Android devices, with support for iOS devices being added later in 2022.
Also new for 2022, Always Ready turns an LG TV into a media display when not in use. Always Ready is activated with a press of the power button on the LG remote to transform the screen into a digital canvas for showcasing artwork, keeping track of time or playing music.
LG says an upgrade to its ThinQ AI will allow its 2022 TVs to support Matter, a new industry standard for a more secure and seamlessly connected smart home, which will allow LG TVs to work as a controller for connected devices.
In 2022, LG will also add new services that facilitate more “personal and interactive experiences at home.”
LG’s LIVENow app will offer access to online live concerts, shows, sports and other premium live events that users can actively participate in as well as watch. The 1M HomeDance app, created in collaboration with 1MILLION Dance Studio, provides a wide selection of tutorials to help users perfect their dance moves. Users can check out their form with camera mode while dancing along with 1MILLION’s professional choreographers or watch their favorite dance clips.
LG is also introducing its very first health platform, LG Fitness, where users can find a workout plan based on the system’s recommendations or create their own by choosing from a variety of options such as fast-paced HIIT, full-body stretching or guided meditation.
Independa is the first tele-healthcare service supported on LG TVs. Users can care for family members remotely or assist seniors to be more independent. Independa features an interface to initiate a video chat with a caregiver or access a menu of relevant professional services. Pop-up notifications inform when someone is calling, and personal alerts can be set up for more reminders.
Professional services available on Independa include Dentulu (online dental consultation), Capital Rx (discount pharmacy platform), Coverdell (dental insurance benefits), WebMD (medical grade educational videos) and Sprio100 (fitness programs for seniors), among others. It is still unclear what professional services will be provided to Canadian users.
