March Launch for LG’s OLED

LG beefs up Ultra HD 4K series, adds “smarts” to all lines

LG used its 2013 CES press conference to announce that it will introduce a 55-inch OLED TV (55EM9700) to the U.S. market in March for an MSRP for between $10,000 and $12,000. The new OLEDs will launch in Korea this month. The company will also add two new screen sizes - 55 and 65 inch - to its Ultra HD 4K TV line, a new suite of smart appliances, additional Google TV models and a 100-inch laser TV.

The company is marketing its entire 2013 lineup under the slogan "Touch the Smart Life" in response to what LG CTO Dr. Scott Ahn said is a failure of other CE manufacturers to deliver smarter products that customers actually want. "For several years companies have been striving to make products smarter," he said. "But have they really changed anyone's life? LG is delivering the products that make life smarter."

That means LG's core product lines - including appliances, TVs and smartphones - will feature improved connectivity and more intuitive interfaces, Ahn said.  In one example, LG showed off its "One Touch Connection" button, which is designed to easily connect mobile devices to smart TVs and appliances for wireless control and connectivity.

Here are some highlights of LG's new lineup:

TVs

-        LG's new Ultra HD TVs feature passive Cinema 3D, a 2.2 sound system with two 10W speakers and two 15W woofers, and a Smart TV ecosystem. Pricing and availability was not announced.  The 100-inch Laser TV (Model: HECTO) features smart TV and digital TV capabilities. It includes a screen and an Ultra Short Throw (UST) projector that reproduces a full HD 1080p image. Besides the home theater market, it's also aimed at small- to medium-sized businesses. The OLED TV measures 4 millimeters and about 22 pounds. All of LG's smart TVs include an updated Magic Remote, which has been redesigned to fine-tune content, menu navigation and voice control.

LG is also expanding its 2013 Google TV lineup to seven models in five screen sizes: 42-, 47-, 50-, 55- and 60-inch. The premium GA7900 series (47- and 55-inch sizes) feature the CINEMA SCREEN design for a sleek, more modern look.

APPLIANCES

- The new appliance line features Smart Control, which allows users to manage and monitor appliances with voice commands via smartphone. To register and control their refrigerator, washing machine, robotic vacuum cleaner or range oven, users scan their smartphone with the NFC Tag on the smart appliance.

 Smart Control features include the Smart Manager, which helps users manage food in the Smart Refrigerator (based on the Linear Compressor line). Freshness Tracker tracks expiration dates and recommends meals based on the ingredients in the refrigerator. The Smart Access feature lets users check the status of their appliances via smartphone, while Smart Diagnosis notifies users of problems their appliances may have.

LG also launched a new five-door French Door and side-by-side model refrigerators. Some models include a new Door-in-Door technology, which is a magnetically sealed section of the right refrigerator door that allows consumers access to the door bin without opening the entire refrigerator.

On the laundry front, LG's new Mega-Capacity TurboWash 5.1-cubic-foot Front-Load Washer is designed with 18 percent more space when compared to a standard 4.3-cubic-foot unit.  Revolutionary TurboWash technology combines the spin and rinse cycles to save consumers 20 minutes per load, according to the company.