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LG Smart TVs get an upgrade you might not like

LG Smart TVs get an upgrade you might not like

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Credit: Future / Mike Lowe

Quick Summary

LG appears to be rolling out front-screen, full-screen ads to TVs including the top-of-the-line LG G4. The advertising platform is promoted to third parties such as automobile companies and other major brands.

When you drop thousands of pounds on one of these best OLED TVs for example LG G4You don’t expect it to bother you with unwanted ads. But a new report backed by the company’s press release says some LG TVs do exactly that.

News is coming Flat PanelsHDWhile reviewing the high-end LG G4, he found that the TV showed full-screen ads before the regular screensaver kicked in. Some of the ads were aimed at LG’s own services, such as its free, ad-supported TV service. . But LG is also opening up TVs to third-party advertisers like car companies.

FlatpanelsHD says ads are currently muted by default, but “it’s unclear if this will continue to be the case.”

Will any screen remain ad-free?

Activate the gadget He looked into the matter further and found that LG was excited about the advertising spots. LG Advertising Solutions website. The firm tells advertisers that “screensaver ads deliver an average 2.5x increase in brand awareness…challenging the assumption that a viewer’s attention span is limited when the television screen is idle.”

Ads can be disabled in your TV’s settings, but they are on by default. And as Engadget suggests, LG may be taking advantage of inertia here: Given that many people don’t turn off motion smoothing to get rid of the “soap opera effect,” it’s likely people won’t turn off ads either.

You may see interest from advertisers. But this seems like a customer-friendly shift in a market that increasingly sees TV viewers as ad fodder: TV broadcasters are increasingly encouraging us to turn to ad-supported tiers and some free services over ad-free tiers. they are so filled with ads that they are virtually unusable without ad blocking or a premium subscription.

But even in this context, this seems like a step too far to me: I’m telling you to “put up with these and save £££!” Advertising is not offered. deal as promised by broadcasters; LG takes a product you thought you had and makes it worse. And the tech industry has a tendency to eliminate opt-ins over time, so I’m not optimistic this feature will remain optional for long. However, you can always opt for a set-top box instead. Maybe not an Amazon as it concerns Adding more ads to your TV experience more.