WebOS is an operating system for smart televisions sponsored by LG but which has expanded to brands such as RCA, Daiwa, Hyundai, Prima, among many others.
As an operating system, it competes directly with Android TV, Google TV, Roku TV, Fire OS or Tizen, television platforms with which it has many things in common, including compatibility with the most popular music and video streaming services: Netflix, YouTube, Disney Plus, Spotify, Amazon Prime Video…
All this variety of entertainment content offered by WebOS is very well complemented by the Content Store, its own online store with hundreds of applications and games to install directly on the TV that runs it.
It also has a very intuitive form of control supported by the Magic Control remote control (or Magic Remote), the artificial intelligence of Alexa, Bluetooth technology and the Screen Share function to share content through the Miracast protocol.
And if all that wasn’t enough, WebOS has incorporated AirPlay technology, Apple’s exclusive wireless transmission protocol, so if you have an iPhone, an iPad, or a Mac machine, you can screen mirror or stream content from your favorite apps to your TV.
WebOS compatibility with HomeKit
WebOS is also compatible with HomeKit, the Apple ecosystem to interconnect and control home automation accessories in the home.
In such a way that once the WebOS television is configured as a HomeKit home automation accessory, it can be controlled from outside the home through the HomeKit-enabled home accessory center, or alternatively from the Home application included in iPhone or iPad, both to turn the equipment on or off and to change the input source.
The steps to turn a WebOS TV into a HomeKit accessory are as follows.
How to turn an LG WebOS TV into a HomeKit accessory?
To get started, connect your WebOS TV (LG or any other brand) and the Apple device chosen for setup to the same Wi-Fi network.
Next, make sure your WebOS TV has received the firmware update that makes it compatible with Apple AirPlay and HomeKit technologies.
As a next step, press the Home button on the TV remote to enter the home screen. In the app bar that appears, select AirPlay. Then select AirPlay & HomeKit Settings.
Select the Home option under the HomeKit section. A QR code will immediately appear on the TV screen that will allow you to add it as a HomeKit accessory. To finish, open the Home app on your iPhone or iPad, tap Add accessory to open the camera and scan the QR code. Finally, tap on Add to Home.
From now on, you can turn your TV on and off by asking Siri. You can also switch between its input sources from the Home app on your iPhone or iPad.
What other kinds of HomeKit accessories are there on the market?
Setting up your LG WebOS TV as a home automation device can be the starting point for you to start experimenting with more useful HomeKit accessories around the home like air conditioners, smart lights, doorbells, locks, motion sensors, thermostats, security cameras, etc. security, sprinklers, smart horn, kitchen faucets, etc.
Mostly controlled by Siri from the HomeKit accessory hub that works on HomePod and HomePod mini speakers, the Apple TV device, or an iPad. And in the absence of these from the iPhone Home app.