Looking for a development team?
We can help with design and development of apps for businesses and startups
Key takeaways
-
- LG smart TVs, powered by the WebOS, are a popular niche for emerging startups because of their broad audience reach, advanced features integration, and relatively easy development.
- There are many tools and frameworks like Enact, Firebase, or webOS SDK that make the LG WebOS TV creation process accessible and developer-friendly.
- Building an LG WebOS TV app involves seven stages: market research, project planning, UI/UX design, app development, testing, release, and post-launch maintenance. The goal is to guarantee that the final result is user-friendly, innovative, and market-ready.
What is WebOS
WebOS (previously known as Open webOS, HP webOS, and Palm webOS) is an advanced operating system developed by LG specifically for smart TVs. Through WebOS apps, users can access streaming services, browse content, and control connected devices.
WebOS apps support multitasking and enable users to switch between apps without losing progress, as well as built-in voice commands, AI-powered recommendations, and compatibility with smart home ecosystems.
All these features unlock a highly personalized and interactive viewing experience.
Why is webOS ideal for smart TV development
Many startups dive into the video content and streaming industry to access a wider audience and innovative features that a smart TV provides. Here are the three reasons why WebOS is a good choice for LG TV app development:
-
- Variety of devices. WebOS is compatible with a wide range of LG smart TVs. For a startup, it presents an opportunity to reach a diverse and expansive audience. This adaptability makes it an ideal TV platform for companies targeting large markets.
-
- Different screen resolutions. WebOS optimizes apps for various screen sizes and delivers a high-quality viewing experience on TV of any dimension.
-
- Multiple formats. WebOS accommodates diverse formats, from video and audio to games and interactive content. This aspect makes it perfect for creating versatile and engaging smart TV apps.
5 benefits of developing an LG Smart TV app
An LG Smart TV app can help startups connect with audiences around the world and build innovative solutions. We put together a list of five key benefits of WebOS app development to consider.
1. Wide audience reach
LG TVs are popular worldwide, with over 20 million units sold annually. By developing apps for webOS, startups can reach households across diverse regions and demographics.
2. Opportunities for user engagement
LG Smart TV apps enable interactive experiences with features like personalized recommendations, live streaming, and real-time feedback. These tools allow businesses to foster deeper connections with users and keep them engaged longer.
|
⭐️ Our experience Purrweb’s team developed a cross-platform IPTV app that converts IP playlists into a user-friendly format similar to a streaming service. User engagement and convenience were two of our main priorities, which is why we focused on the UI/UX design of the interface. We added covers, trailers, and descriptions for each movie to create useful pages with seamless navigation and keep customers browsing in the app for a longer time.
|
3. Developer-friendly tools
The LG Developer Mode App offers a set of tools that simplify the creation of webOS apps. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that someone with zero experience can create an app from scratch. However, it provides robust support and accessible documentation so developers can build apps efficiently and troubleshoot with ease.
4. Ecosystem integration
WebOS apps integrate seamlessly with the LG ecosystem, including smart home devices and voice assistants. This connectivity enhances app functionality and provides users with a cohesive, streamlined experience across their devices.
5. Diverse monetization opportunities
LG Smart TV apps support various revenue models, including subscriptions, in-app purchases, and advertising. Such flexibility allows businesses to align their monetization strategies with their specific goals, whether focusing on recurring income or ad-based growth.
For one of our clients, Journey Verse, we conducted a project discovery phase and came up with four monetization strategies that would pay off for the investment and lead to profits.
LG TV WebOS: overview of key characteristics
The LG webOS platform offers many tools to create innovative smart TV applications and make the most unique ideas come true. Here’s the run-down of WebOS development and its key characteristics everyone needs to know.
🧑💻 Multiple programming languages
WebOS supports several programming languages, including HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS. This means the developers can use tools and frameworks they have experience with. Such flexibility makes it accessible to a wide range of WebOS developers, from experienced professionals to those new to the smart TV niche.
🛠️ Developer-friendly tools
The LG TV webOS platform is very developer-friendly and provides a comprehensive Software Development Kit (SDK) and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). These tools offer pre-built functionalities that simplify app development.
With these tools, developers can focus on creativity and user experience and not worry about maintaining compatibility with LG TVs.
🌏 App localization
LG webOS supports app localization, from different language options to region-specific features. This way, startups can create apps that resonate with diverse users and reach people all over the world.
Netflix offers region-specific movies and shows and a wide selection of languages for its video content
🎨 App design
LG TVs focus on intuitive, user-friendly interfaces. Developers can use the platform’s design guidelines and UI components to create visually appealing and easy-to-navigate apps that enhance user engagement.
📈 Performance analytics
LG webOS integrates app analytics tools and provides valuable insights into user behavior and app performance. These metrics help startups optimize their apps, improve user retention, and make data-driven decisions to maximize their success.
7 steps to create your own LG WebOS TV app
Regardless of what team you decide to hire for the smart TV app development, the process will consist of roughly the same seven steps.
1. Analysis and market research
The first thing before the app development process is to analyze the market thoroughly. When we work with a client, they either already come to us with this information or ask us to help conduct a product discovery phase.
The goal of project discovery is to research and collect information about the market, user needs, and industry standards
High-quality market research combines several methods
Product discovery shows if there is an interest in the product from the target audience, highlights market gaps, and helps define the app’s unique value proposition.
| ⭐️ Our experience
Anton, a professional taxi driver from New York, came to us with the idea of an app that focuses on long-distance rides with familiar, trusted drivers. The hypothesis was traditional platforms like Uber can be inconsistent with safety, comfort, and reliability. The Purrweb team offers project discovery to validate the idea. We used methods, such as impact mapping, qualitative and quantitative research, and unit economic analysis to check market demand and refine the business model.
|
2. Project planning
Once the market research is complete and the idea is finalized, project planning begins. This stage includes outlining the app’s core features, deciding on a tech stack, and creating a realistic timeline. Proper resource allocation — whether it’s budget, tools, or manpower — is essential to keep the project organized and on track.
3. UI/UX design
The design phase focuses on creating an engaging and intuitive interface. For LG webOS TV apps, this means optimizing for larger screens and remote navigation. The goal is to ensure ease of use while maintaining a visually appealing design that aligns with a startup’s brand identity.
During the design stage, the teams make sure that all elements are visible to the user regardless of how far the couch is
4. App development
After the design is approved, webOS developers begin building the app. The available tools — LG’s Developer Mode App, APIs, and SDK — simplify this process and enable the integration of advanced features. At Purrweb, we use agile-based frameworks and split app development into two-week sprints to set up an efficient and iterative process.
5. QA testing
Quality assurance is a critical step in making sure the app functions flawlessly. Testing is conducted on various LG TV models to check compatibility, fix bugs, and evaluate performance under different conditions.
At Purrweb, we start testing smart TV apps in parallel with development to catch bugs early on and fix them before they turn into big issues at the end of the process. It’s much easier to manage them one by one compared to the whole thing at once.
6. Release
After the app passes the tests, it’s ready to be submitted to the LG content store. To get approval, the product needs to comply with the store’s standards and have visuals that will draw user attention, like clear descriptions, screenshots, and catchy promo videos.
| ⭐️ Our experience
We designed the unique Dosis streaming platform for a Spanish client without speaking Spanish. The app integrates features like cryptocurrency wallets, donations, and a marketplace to support independent creators and connect them directly with their audience. Despite language barriers, our team translated project materials, clarified the concept, and delivered a user-friendly MVP design within two months.
|
7. Post-launch maintenance
App development doesn’t end at release. Regular maintenance of LG TV platforms is essential to fix bugs, update features, and adapt to user feedback. Post-launch support ensures the app stays relevant and continues to perform well in the dynamic smart TV market.
Many apps collect feedback from users and use it to improve the product continuously
Technologies used in LG WebOS app development
LG WebOS app development leverages versatile technologies for efficiency. Developers use programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for core functionality.
Frameworks such as Enact and Firebase streamline app creation, while REST web services enable seamless data exchange.
Debugging is simplified with the webOS SDK, providing tools for testing and refining applications to ensure optimal performance on LG smart TVs.
At Purrweb, we use a combination of various technologies and frameworks for faster and better development
About us
At Purrweb, we provide development services with user-centered and simple UI/UX to elevate interactions with our software. We helped over 550 entrepreneurs build an MVP and test a business idea with real-world customers.
If you want to build an LG TV app, fill out the form. We will dive deeper into your idea and offer possible options for development plan, duration, and cost.
[wpim]
