Long ago in the land of nod, regular TV’s existed, they had one function to play TV or video feeds. Anything else required consoles or players connected to the TV.
Then along came Smart TV’s, something many of us only started looking at when it was time to replace our existing TVs.
Warning 1: Not all Smart TV’s are created equally
What makes a TV smart? The ability to browse the web? Being able to connect wireless speakers, streaming content from Netflix, Hulu, HBO? How about checking the weather.
If we really break it down, ultimately we’re talking of a TV that has an OS and this OS has Apps.
That’s what makes it SMART.
As I learnt the hard way though, what LG are offering is less than satisfactory. In a frustrating kind of way.
Yes, it’s smart, just not smart enough.
The web browser
The web browser that comes with LG Web OS 3 is not customizable. You cannot install plugins and you cannot replace it. It does not support Flash. This might be less of an issue in 2017, but it’s still an issue because many sites still use flash. Most likely including your favorite porn sites.
It’s also not Chrome, so you can’t install an Adblocker. Other extensions such as custom subtitles in Netflix – forget about this.
The browser is ok for most things, but you will find yourself wishing it was Chrome. And there’s nothing you can do about this.
The app store
The LG app store consists mostly of crap you’ll never use. There’s not here to talk about but the few apps that are present are mostly Russian scam apps, and aquarium apps that require mini purchases.
The term FREE here is misused a lot in the app store, out of the few apps that are free, many actually require an initial purchase to get working. EG: The so-called free radio app. That costs a few dollars before you can even use it.
So what you’re ultimately left with is Youtube, Netflix and a weather app – that’s about it.
You’ll be begging for Play Store but you’re shit out of luck.
Casting
Unfortunately the casting app is another one of those Russian scam apps. Too many ads to take seriously. So you’re left with some limited casting options. Basically you can only cast Youtube videos from Chrome browser – that’s it! Forget about trying to cast your desktop – you’re shit out of luck.
The remote
Fuck me if this isn’t one of the biggest scams LG ever pulled. They bring out a remote that’s purposely designed to be difficult to use, then market a LG magic remote to you, so you can purchase a remote that actually works.
Ok so what can be done?
Firstly, go buy yourself a TV that runs Android. I should have gotten one that did, but the reviews I was reading said Web OS was roughly the same – It’s not
Next, if you’re like me stuck with an LG, you’ll most likely want to buy an Android TV dongle or smart box, with it’s own remote and interact through your TV via this box.
So here’s the kicker – LG’s smart functionality then cannot live up to Android or Google Play services, so you’re basically having to buy that extra hardware nullifying the built in smart functionality completely.
That means you might as well have bought a regular ass TV!
Michael's Techbox 
I agree do not buy LG TV no good only last 1 year an LG will not fix it so my advice to you don’t buy LG I would never purchase anything with LG name on it again..
Sad observation, since the one thing LG makes well are screens, everything else, not so much.
Which mainstream manufacturers (besides Sony) make Android TV sets, especially smaller sizes?
Philips.
Philips reaction latency: 0.120s
LG reaction latency: 0.020s
I do not recommend philips if you also want to use that screen for PC/console gaming and streaming.
I am so disappointed with my lg smart TV always been a fan of lg stuff but the bad sound and no browser have made feel cheated and I will never buy another lg item.
This is sooo true!! My LG “Smart” TV is basically a regular tv with Netflix. I’m so disapppinted in it, I really should have bought a Samsung Smart TV.
Hi, I too unfortunatly bought an LG Smart TV and it sucks as far as smart goes. At the time I did not see any android smart tv’s. So I’m stuck with it unless it breaks down and then my extended warrenty will replace it, I hope. And yes I have bought a box for android tv. It does kill the purpose of having a smart tv. I was gutted when I saw a Sony tv and it said android os. Does mean one thing though if you watch kodi as an example they can’t take your box away if they try to stop you.
Yeah me too I bought a not so LG Smart TV in 2016. I’ve always had LG since moving over to a flat screen TV. So I chose a LG Smart TV. I’m techi but was not aware that all smart tv’s were not equal. I felt let down and when I saw it was webos and read that webos was not supported like other OS’s and that it was a past OS of the company who made the Palm series mobiles, I gave a big sigh. At the time Android was not an option. Each manafacturer had its own OS.
So I have had to hook up an extenal Android box defeting the purpose of the TV. There is no customisation and the lack of apps is poor. The only support seems to be webos updates and they don’t offer anything new other than tweeks. And as someone else mentioned most of the apps there are require a one off payment before you can can use them so free goes out the window.
If Android Smart TV’s had been around 2 years ago out the box I would have gone straight there. Unfortunatlly they were not. Lesson learn’t.
I agree, this LG WebOS is crap! It’s like whoever developed the interface has never used a smart tv before or bothered to use their own product for a little while. Also the lack of apps is truly disappointing. It’s all garbage, almost like a proof of concept rather than a final product that people are expected to pay for. I hope they are able to turn it around, but something tells me that they aren’t throwing many resources at this. Sad!
Hi there. WebOS was not devoloped by LG. LG have adopted it from those who bought Palm. Palm mobile back in the day used WebOS. But it seems to me that LG are not bothered about its smart TV side of things as it’s poorly supported. Free apps go out the window, when a one of fee is required to access the app. Also I think it is still flash based as you cannot load the bbc iPlayer from the web browser it say’s not supported. And there is no suport for Chrome either. Most web browsers now support HTML 5.
sorry I haveto disagree with you I have a lg webos 3 tv it has quantum display and dolby vision hdr.
netflix amazon prime and hulu work great (even though I am not in usa little hack) I get more usable apps than apple tv witch I own so I know there there is no amazon prime but one thing never buy a tv because it has netflix or is smart you are always better off with a box like apple tv roku or android tv box they are exchangeble not the tv buy a tv with as good picture quality you can get for the money thats what I did I know I wont use my tv for those things more than two year or so I will get a box
All of the above is true,webos is rubbish,buy a regular TV or a proper android TV, avoid webos like the plague
I am more than satisfied with the Webos…you all are dinosaurs…do you need someone to hold your hand to operate a good TV.? I have a 2015 Sony 4K, a 2016 4K Sharp, and now a 2017 4K LG. The LG is far better in the Smart TV area and its picture is equal to the Sony….my first LG and I am now sold it.
Hi all my friends!
I also bought lg smart tv 49″ from argos uk and have got the same issue as yours and i am not satisfied!!
I just wonder how they could have added google play movies but not google play?!!!!!!!!?
I must notice that i’m still paying towards my debt to argos😠😤😤😤
I think what LG are doing is this. A TV as we know is for viewing TV programmes and video etc. And so they have focused on the media only side. I don’t personally want netflicks etc. I wanted regular apps too and with LG this is not going to happen anytime soon.
I 100% agree, I am now stuck with a LG tv, and yes most of the apps are a scam. LG wtf ??
I own a 65 inch LG 4K webos 3 and I love it. In fact I am using it right now as I type. Yes no flash support or outside 2nd and third party down load or change screen saver ( cause virus ). I can stream web content , Facebook etc.
It was Palm those who madd the palm series mobile phones.
Bought LG 4k 43″ smart tv. Picture is good enough. The LG content store is embarassing. The web browser crashes constantly and is a pain in the arse to use. Sometimes decides not to connect to network without a manual fix. Smart tv more of a “tryer” than smart. Remote pointless. Should charge a bit extra and include magic remote. Magic? The tv is smart but not, I’m guessing the remote can juggle and hide the sausage but that’s about it.
I have noticed people are saying webOS is not flash based. Its actually the other way around. WebOS does no support HTML it still uses Flash and flash based websites are all but redundant as these have been repalced by HTML. So that is why a lot of sites are not supported when going online.
I, eventually got my Humax BT Youview STB working in conjunction with LG 55 SJ810V TV ‘magic’ remote, but I can only get one remote control working with my STB at a time. So my wife and I have to ask each other to press the buttons on the remote control that is working. Instead we can both use the un-universal remote control (i.e. not the LG Magic Remote) to control the TV.
DO NOT BUY AN LG TV.
Totally correct, nothing makes me more angry than using this pathetic operating system. Do the coders ever actually use the crap they design try rewinding a program and see how long the controls stay on screen why would you keep making them disappear while your trying to use them and as for the remote even the so called magic remote is utter crap why would you make the main button a scroll wheel every time you press it the damn thing scrolls. Programmed by morons.
This TV is not that bad, the only downfall is the crappy web browser because I want to watch pirated movie and this crap dont even playback the video or doesnt even have a damn ad blocker to stop stupid ads poppin up every click
It would be nice to watch free stuff like on pc, i don want to spend money on stupid Netflix or wahtever the streaming shit is named
I have had nothing but trouble with LG’s web browser. I am NOT impressed by webOS. They should use the BASE Google Android operating system with the Chrome browser and allow other browsers to be installed. I will NOT be buying another LG TV due to it’s brain dead operating system, its terrible browser and it VERY POOR USB flash drive support (WAY to many restrictions). ALL USB devices plugged in should be supported. It could not handle my greater than 32GB Flash drive. I could also NOT access https://vimeo.com/ . It gave me some bizarre SSL message.
… and I currently own 3 LG TVs. So unless they get base Android I will NOT get another one. Will probably have to go with Sony which seems to be the ONLY TV company that uses Android?
This suxxx so hard,spending on a promise that is canceled Worth less a chrome cast or Firetv stick. Can’t say any good bout that policy. K the box is running cable etc. .. success
The title is correct, WebOS sucks!! Can even stream NBC for crying out load. Every other platform can.
I am not techie at all, but the biggest problem I have with LG is its app scam. They bait you with apps that are included, and within 2 1/2 years the apps aren’t available (like HULU, Pandora, Facebook, is gone and in the process of eliminating Amazon Prime (Since those warming notices that app is not supported by this device keep coming up every other time I access the app the last few days, same with VUDU. HULU and other companies have said LG sets up their devices and gets the licensing on the apps in a very limited way that does not support any upgrades or it only supports limited upgrades, and all apps upgrade every so often. It’s a scam, and the expectation is you will purchase another LG TV once you’re tapped put on the apps.
The next Smart TV I buy won’t be running WebOS. After owning this LG for a while now, and having a good general idea of WebOS, I would say it’s hardly a Smart TV. Sure it can run Netflix and literally only a handful of other streaming services but that’s about it.
The so called App store is total trash, mostly totally useless amatuer titles. The games virtually non existent. Virtually no Google integration, nothing like maps or a calendar or anything like this. Nothing like Alexa or anything. It’s basically a TV that supports some streaming services. Yeah same thing can be achieved with a super cheap stand alone box running Android and even that would be better.
you’re absolutely right, this article is 3 years old, why does this problem still exist? i am in complete shock, LG should discontinue this webOShit or be charged for consumer scam, this unfunny joke has gone on for way too long.
If you are going to buy a non OLED TV then purchasing an LG tv is definitely a no go and this article is on point. It is true that the LG content store is abysmal and offers a very limited amount of apps. Of all the popular apps, the only ones I saw was Netflix, You tube, Amazon Prime video, Hulu, Plex, Showtime, Starz and that’s about it. (No HBO! A travesty!).
But if you are looking at purchasing an OLED tv but want to eschew the high price tag, then LG may be the way to go. keep in mind that LG invented OLED and even Sony TVs have LG OLED screens. So it is possible to find an OLED tv of the same size from LG and it being nearly half the cost of a Sony. Maybe 66% of the cost. So what if you have to buy a $40 dongle of Android TV or Roku to enjoy the other missing apps? Big deal compared to the money you save! Now if you are big daddy money bags then by all means, buy a Sony OLED. It will have Android built in.
I would also like to point out as a side note that the Wi-Fi card in my LG OLED (55inch 2018 model) is a piece of junk. It works but could be a hell of a lot better.
I will never buy an lg product as long ad i live. The connection to modem cuts out whether LAN plugged in or wireless seems thousands of ppl have this problem i just threw my remote through the screen and dont care im so sick of this shit. Just want to reach as many ppl as possible and save some pain. DO NOT BUY LG TVS companies like this need to be driven out of business