CES 2010: LG talks Internet TVs and 3D Blu-ray.
LG traditionally occupies the "first vendor press conference of CES" slot, and for 2010 it offered up the usual mixed bag of products, with most new announcements centred around new TV technology.
Just ahead of CES, Skype announced plans to integrate its software into a number of TV sets, and LG has been quick to join that crowd. To tie in with the Skype features, a webcam accessory will also be available. Other Internet enhancements being added to its TVs include Picasa integration for online photo browsing and a neat AccuWeather.com plug-in that changes the background display based on the weather in your area.
Having rolled out a number of TV models equipped with wireless HDMI last year, LG this year is promising that most of its range will be able to be upgraded via an optional USB dongle that plugs into the back. "Most of the new LCD and plasma TVs this year will be wireless ready," CTO Dr Woo Paik said.
LG is also adding a build-in 250GB hard drive to its BD590 Blu-ray player, and says an upgrade to incorporate the recently finalised 3D Blu-ray specification will be made available later this year.
No Australian release dates or prices have been announced for the TV products or player, though the odds are good that any displays that do hit the Australian market won't feature the same range of Internet integration features.