Skip to main content

LG brings Apple TV, Apple Music, and AirPlay to webOS Hub-based TVs

In October 2022, LG debuted webOS Hub, an enhanced version of the smart TV software it uses for its own TVs that can be licensed by other manufacturers. At the time, webOS Hub was not a full replica of the webOS that runs on LG TVs, given that it was missing some features like Apple’s AirPlay and HomeKit support.

Apple TV app for webOS Hub.
LG/Apple

Today, LG says that webOS Hub is now compatible with all of those missing Apple ingredients. Apple TV app, Apple Music, AirPlay, and HomeKit are available to compatible webOS Hub TVs in more than 100 countries and regions.

LG says it’s now working with 200 partners in total including Seiki, Eko, Stream System, Konka, Aiwa, and Hyundai on webOS Hub-equipped TVs.

The Apple TV app is home to Apple’s similarly-named Apple TV+ streaming video subscription service, making it available to many more people around the world who may rely on their TV’s built-in apps for all of their streaming choices instead of using third-party streaming devices like an Apple TV 4K. AirPlay lets anyone with an Apple device like an iPhone, iPad, or Mac stream music and video directly to their TVs, as well as allowing screen sharing from those same devices.

Apple AirPlay for webOS Hub.
LG

With Apple HomeKit support, webOS Hub TVs can join Apple’s smart home platform, allowing the TV to be recognized as a part of the Apple ecosystem as well as giving it the ability to display video feeds from security cameras and other smart home devices.

WebOS received its last major update with webOS 6.0 in January 2021 with a card-based home screen that makes content and app easier to use and discover. That same year, LG created web OS Open Source Edition, letting anyone use the core webOS code on a wide variety of smart devices.

Editors' Recommendations

Simon Cohen
Contributing Editor, A/V
Simon Cohen covers a variety of consumer technologies, but has a special interest in audio and video products, like…
Get 3 free months of Apple TV+ if you sign up on your LG TV
Apple TV Plus on LG TV.

LG is giving owners of its TVs as old as the 2016 models three free months of Apple TV+, if they sign up through the Apple TV+ app in the LG Content Store or by hitting the banner on the LG TV home menu.

The offer is available for LG 8K and 4K televisions from 2016 to 2021 models, and you'll need to redeem the offer from November 15, 2021, to February 20, 2022. You're limited to one account per TV, and per Apple ID, and the promotion is only available to new Apple TV+ subscribers.

Read more
Roku OS 10 adds Apple AirPlay, virtual surround sound, and better Wi-Fi
Roku OS 10 Virtual Surround Sound

In addition to announcing a trio of new hardware devices, today Roku is debuting the latest version of its smart TV software, Roku OS 10, with a slew of enhancements aimed at helping Roku users get more from their streaming devices.

The free update starts rolling out today to select Roku players and is expected to roll out to all supported streaming players, including the new Roku Express 4K+ and Roku Streambar Pro, and all Roku TV models in the coming weeks.

Read more
LG’s WebOS 6.0 adds a content-first experience and a new remote
LG Magic Remote 2021

While all eyes were on LG's CES 2021 announcement of its new, brighter OLED TVs and mini-LED equipped QNED TVs, the company also revealed that its WebOS software is getting a major overhaul. WebOS 6.0 is designed to bring the software into the modern era of content-oriented home screens. Previous versions of WebOS provided a simple ribbon of apps at the bottom of the screen, which, while easy to use and navigate, didn't really highlight the content available within these apps.

The new home screen experience, which Park Hyoung-sei, president of LG Home Entertainment Company, has described as "the most significant update since we first introduced WebOS in 2014,” looks a lot like smart TV interfaces from Google, Apple, and Amazon. It features a curated content section called "Top Picks For You," which selectively pulls shows and movies from your favorite streaming services based on your viewing habits, as well as an easy-access search process.

Read more