Skip to main content

LG’s latest 4K monitor wants to be your smart home hub

You could only stream via AirPlay 2 to an overpriced Apple monitor or a Samsung smart TV — until now. LG just released the Smart Monitor which has AirPlay 2 built into it and doubles as a smart home hub, so now you can stream from your Mac to the monitor without the need for cables.

The LG Smart Monitor 32SQ780S is a 32-inch 60Hz monitor with a 4K display mounted on an adjustable ergonomic stand. It’s a beefy boy, at nearly 25 pounds and 16 inches thick. There are USB-C ports on the back, but not much else in the way of I/O.

The LG Smart Monitor with a Netflix show streaming on the display
image: LG

One look at the LG Smart Monitor and you might think you’re looking at Apple’s sunflower iMac from 20 years ago. The monitor juts out from a thick cylindrical stand and you can adjust both the height and the tilt of the panel.

Where the monitor really shines is in its smart home functionality. Along with AirPlay 2, it runs on LG’s own webOS software. It comes with apps such as Netflix and Hulu pre-installed.

AirPlay 2 is Apple’s upgrade to its original AirPlay streaming technology, which is an alternative to Bluetooth. AirPlay 2 uses greater bandwidth than Bluetooth, which allows for faster streaming of media content such as audio and video, and also allows Apple’s famous Airdrop technology to quickly send large files around.

Not many companies have embraced AirPlay 2 because of its locked-down proprietary nature. Bluetooth is simply cheaper and easier to implement. Only Samsung has dipped its toes into Airplay, but now LG has fully jumped in with their new Smart Monitor.

It almost feels as if LG wants this monitor to double as a smart home hub. It has a smart home dashboard where you can manage devices around your home. Adding smart home functionality to a computer monitor actually makes sense when you stop to think about it. You’re on your computer a lot during the day, so why not turn the monitor into a hub?

There’s no word yet if it can control Apple’s HomeKit-compatible devices. Given its integration with AirPlay 2, we imagine it will.

Editors' Recommendations

Nathan Drescher
Nathan Drescher is a freelance journalist and writer from Ottawa, Canada. He's been writing about technology from around the…
The best 4K webcams
Logitech Brio

With more people telecommuting and working remotely, investing in a quality webcam can make you stand out -- you can still look sharp for that virtual meeting. But unless you have the latest laptop, the built-in webcam won't quite cut it to leave a memorable and lasting impression.

And while many 1080p webcams deliver great results, upgrading to a 4K webcam will give you more control, like better zooming through digital cropping, smart A.I.-powered tricks, and impressive HDR image quality that will make you look good in any kind of lighting.

Read more
The best 4K monitors
A 4k monitor placed on a glass desk.

Most consumers want a high-definition TV to watch, so why not have a high-definition monitor, too? A 4K monitor showcases a 4,000-pixel image with ultra-high definition. Images are clear and precise, creating a digital heaven for anyone using a PC for work or gaming. The LG 27UK850-W is the perfect example of that, and that's why it's our top pick.

But don’t worry if you aren’t sure which monitor to put your money on. Our roundup of the best 4K monitors for 2020 should help you make the right choice.
At a glance

Read more
The best 4K video editing PC build for under $1,000
Some placing a motherboard in a PC.

4K video editing is a demanding task, but you don't need to take out a loan to build a PC that can edit 4K video. With our best 4K video editing PC under $1,000, you can save some money while keeping your timeline smooth.

Want a PC for editing but don't quite have the budget? Here's a great build you can put together for just $500. If you want a PC that's aimed more at gaming in 4K, we have a guide for that as well.
What can this build do?
Since this is a PC designed for editing 4K footage, there were several key considerations we had to make. The first was a powerful, multicore processor, followed by plenty of memory and high-speed storage. We also wanted to make sure the system had a decent graphics card with plenty of VRAM for performing rendering and handling any 3D effects work you want to do.

Read more