Apple recently announced that it has sold over 1 million Apple TV 2G devices in just 2 and a half months since its official launch. The figure is impressive considering that the old model did not have anywhere near the same success, on the contrary, it was categorized by many as a big failure. Anyway, today we learn that next month at CES 2011 LG will present the Smart TV Upgrader, a device almost identical to Apple TV 2G but with some additional functions.
Smart TV Upgrader - a very interesting name that needs to be changed, I say, it will have an integrated browser to allow web browsing, but in essence it will perform the same functions as the Apple TV 2G, that is, it will allow you to watch media content on televisions. This new LG product will also come with several applications specially developed for it, and in the coming months it is quite possible that LG will open a small AppStore.
"The market for Smart TVs is set to take off this year, and the ST600 offers a perfect entry point," said Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Home Entertainment Company. "With the LG Smart TV Upgrader, we're taking the excitement and convenience of Smart TV and adding in LG's trademark ease-of-use because we see a significant audience who are interested but not interested enough to buy a whole new TV."
In terms of hardware configuration, Smart TV Upgrader has a big disadvantage compared to Apple TV 2G because the internal memory of only 1GB will prove to be insufficient for almost any kind of HD content, so users will have to stream online for this kind of movies . Here is the hardware configuration of the new device:
CPU: BCM7615 – DDR 384MB, 1GB Flash – LG Add-on Architecture + Web Browser – AC 100-240V, 50/60 Hz – Wi-Fi, Ethernet, DLNA (DMP) – USB: 1EA (USB mouse, external storage) – Input Devices: Finger Touch RCU – Premium Content – LG Apps – Size: 11cm x 11cm.
The price of the new device is not yet known, but I assume that it will not exceed $99, which is what an Apple TV 2G costs now.
LG SMART TV UPGRADER MAKES EVERY TV SMARTER ST600 Smart TV Upgrader Lets Users Enjoy Web Browser and Premium Content on Their Regular TV Sets SEOUL, Dec. 30, 2010 – At this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, LG Electronics (LG) will be unveiling the Smart TV Upgrader (ST600) that makes it easy for viewers to transform their regular TVs into Smart TVs at an affordable price . Embracing all the benefits of internet connectivity, the Upgrader gives regular TV owners access to all of LG's Smart TV functions including premium online content, Smart Share and the full range of LG Apps. "The market for Smart TVs is set to take off this year, and the ST600 offers a perfect entry point," said Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Home Entertainment Company. "With the LG Smart TV Upgrader, we're taking the excitement and convenience of Smart TV and adding in LG's trademark ease-of-use because we see a significant audience who are interested but not interested enough to buy a whole new TV." By connecting the ST600 to a regular TV set, users can access a vast range of premium content from global providers, as well as the best locally sourced shows and movies to cater to different tastes around the world. The ST600 also connects users to the growing range of LG Apps, which are custom designed for use on TVs and offer everything from language classes to games. LG makes the viewing experience more compelling still with its superb compatibility, which lets users simply and wirelessly transfer content from their Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)-compatible PCs and other compatible devices for viewing on the big screen. LG's Smart TV Upgrader will be unveiled at CES 2011 in Las Vegas and rolled-out to TV owners in the second quarter of 2011. Specifications: – Main CPU: BCM7615 – DDR 384MB, 1GB Flash – LG Add-on Architecture + Web Browser – AC 100-240V, 50/60 Hz – Wi-Fi, Ethernet, DLNA (DMP) – USB: 1EA (USB mouse, external storage) – Input Devices: Finger Touch RCU – Premium Content – LG Apps – Size: 11cm x 11cm
