LG helped kick-off the first day of CES 2021 with a list of exciting product announcements highlighting TVs, phones, and various smart home technology. It’s newest lineups of OLED TVs will help usher in a new era of home entertainment optimization and smart home devices — and we’re still trying to wrap our heads around the short glimpse of its rollable smartphone/tablet.
Below is everything LG has announced at CES 2021 so far.
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Mobile
LG’s Rollable phone is here
The star of the show for LG was a brief teaser of the new LG Rollable. Basically, the device expands and contracts, going from the size of a phone to that of a tablet in a matter of seconds. We got a glimpse of what the rolling sequence could look like at the end of LG’s presentation, and rumors have been swirling for years that LG has been working on a product like this. We always imagined it being a ways off, but the company has claimed that the LG Rollable will launch later this year.
LG has said in the past that, despite competitors launching foldable phones, the technology isn’t ready for the mainstream market yet. That has led to alternatives like the swiveling dual-screen LG Wing and now the LG Rollable. OLED technology has opened the industry to such products because the panels are thin and flexible, they can be rolled tightly around one edge of the phone, and if they’re placed on some sort of a sliding track, they allow the phone to expand and slowly extrude the display across the expanded frame.
We’ll be patiently waiting for more information and teasers — and crossing our fingers that CES will be rolling out a bit differently next year.
See more
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Home theater
LG is pushing OLED TVs to their limits
For the past few years, LG’s newly announced OLED TVs have looked fairly similar to the previous year’s models. This year, however, LG’s newest lineup — called OLED EVO — offers several improvements and features that we’re very excited about.
First off, LG is bringing more sizes to the market. Variations on existing sizes will be 42- and 83-inch OLED panels, but there will also be smaller ones “down to the 20-30-inch range,” according to an LG press release. These smaller models will be geared toward gaming, mobility, and personal display options.
All except the A series will get LG’s new a9 Gen 4 AI processor, its most powerful chip yet. A9 Gen 4 takes advantage of deep learning to improve image upscaling, bringing any content close to perfect for these specific displays. The processor is also equipped with AI Picture Pro, a feature that recognizes objects on the screen and is capable of distinguishing between foreground and background, artificially changing the original picture by using digital noise reduction to remove grain and noise.
LG also announced a new QNED Mini-LED TV lineup ahead of CES 2021, which will represent LG’s absolute best LCD-based displays, sitting right alongside its award-winning OLED TV lineup. It’s called QNED Mini-LED and it will cover 10 models in both 4K and 8K resolutions, with screen sizes going all the way up to 86 inches. We’re still a little concerned about the term “QNED” being used to describe its quantum dot TVs, though.
If those introductions don’t sound futuristic enough for you, LG is also experimenting with TV screen transparency by introducing a transparent TV that can roll up from the foot of a bed. The apt-titled Smart Bed TV is a 55-inch OLED screen with 40% transparency designed to be the ultimate bedtime home theater tool and smart home device.
You can find more of the best TVs at CES from our larger roundup of screens.
LG’s Magic Remote and WebOS software are getting a facelift
LG
LG’s WebOS software is getting a major overhaul and is set to enter the modern era of content-oriented home screens. Instead of the OS displaying a simple ribbon of apps at the bottom of the screen, users will now be able to see highlighted content within apps, such as curated playlists or quick-look weather forecasts. The software develops a profile of users based on their watching habits, too, and will constantly optimize recommendations.
LG has also given its Magic Remote a refresh with a new, more ergonomic design that now features dedicated buttons for LG’s ThinQ voice service, as well as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Another clever new feature on select Magic Remotes is an NFC-enabled tap-to-share system called Magic Tap, which will allow you to quickly cast content from your NFC-equipped phone to the TV, or vice versa, which LG calls reverse mirroring.
Cloud gaming is coming to LG TVs
In what could be a major step for cloud gaming, LG announced that Google Stadia and GeForce Now are both coming to its TVs later this year. Both services will have a designated app on LG TVs — with GeForce Now launching in Q4 and Google Stadia at an undisclosed date in late 2021 — making cloud gaming more easily accessible for interested gamers.
The company is also set to debut a gaming-centric, 48-inch Bendable Cinematic Sound OLED TV with curvature intended to increase immersion in gaming experiences.
More on cloud gaming
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Computing
New LG Gram laptops feature 16:10 screens
LG has finally unveiled its 2021 lineup of Gram PCs. The new laptops and 2-in-1s feature a slim 16:10 aspect ratio and an ultraportable lightweight design.
The 2021 LG Gram PCs come in five different variants this year: The Gram 17, Gram 16, and Gram 14, as well as a 14- and 16-inch 2-in-1 model. All the devices are also Intel Evo certified, meaning they feature Intel’s 11th General Core processor, either 8GB or 16GB of RAM, and Intel’s new Xe graphics.
LG did not share pricing or availability on these new models — last year’s LG Gram 17 came in at $1,850, the LG Gram 14 at $1,600, and the LG Gram 15 at $2,000. You can expect similar pricing on this year’s models.
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Smart Home
The InstaView refrigerator continues to improve
LG is continuing to add features to its stylish InstaView Door-in-Door refrigerator that landed a few years ago.
One of the coolest improvements to this side-by-side fridge is the introduction of a voice-activated door. Have you ever attempted to carry too many groceries at once only to realize you don’t have a free hand to open the fridge door? With the InstaView, it’s not a problem — simply say “open the refrigerator door.” Users can also utilize this voice technology to check the status of the ice and water dispensers.
LG has also improved other smart features for 2021. The InstaView window is 23% larger than previous models, making for a more immersive, tinted glass panel. With just two quick knocks on the transparent glass, you can even see practically the entire contents of your fridge.
This model of fridge also now supports LG’s UVnano technology, which harnesses the power of light to maintain a hygienic and germ-free water dispenser tap.
LG’s latest cordless vacuum empties itself
LG has debuted an upgraded model of its A9 Kompressor Stick Vacuum, dubbed the LG CordZeroThinQ A9 Kompressor+. This new model features a charging stand that not only powers up the vacuum, but also empties out the dust bin. When the CordZeroThinQ A9 Kompressor+ is docked, the dust bin is automatically emptied into an attached bag. After it is emptied, the vacuum continues to charge.
The CordZeroThinQ A9 Kompressor+ includes six different accessories and attachments, all of which can be stored within the docking bay easily. It can also mop, nixing the need for an additional tool; all you have to do is swap out the attachments.
Washtower
With the LG WashTower, LG is making laundry easier to wash and sleeker than ever before. The single-unit laundry station is designed to take up less space than other stacked laundry pairs and its control panel is located directly in the center of the unit, making both washer and dryer controls easily accessible.
According to LG, one out of two consumers default to the Normal Cycle on their washers and dryers because they don’t know which settings are optimal for their clothes. LG aims to do the work for you, however, with built-in intelligence and sensors that can detect fabric texture and choose the correct wash motions and temperatures, allowing for the best clothing care.
While the unit looks small and sleek, both the washer and dryer and designed to take on your largest loads of laundry and power through them in under 30 minutes.