Google Stadia & GeForce Now Coming to LG TVs

During its CES presentation, LG dedicated a significant portion of time to detailing its 2021 television collection. Consumers can anticipate televisions that are larger, more streamlined, and offer increased brightness. While a comprehensive list of new model specifications will not be provided, several noteworthy features deserve attention.

LG utilizes its proprietary webOS as the operating system for its smart TVs, rather than adopting Android TV. This necessitates app developers to create dedicated versions of their applications for LG televisions. The company announced the availability of Google Stadia and Nvidia GeForce Now on LG 2021 TVs.

Google’s cloud gaming platform is scheduled to launch later in 2021. However, its accessibility will be limited to select countries currently supported by Stadia. For those residing in a compatible region, Stadia can be accessed directly on LG TVs, eliminating the need for a Chromecast.

Stadia functions similarly to a gaming console operating via the cloud. Users can purchase games that are executed on servers in close proximity. The resulting video is streamed directly to the television screen, while gamepad inputs are transmitted to the server.

Nvidia’s cloud gaming service is also planned for release later this year. This service distinguishes itself by allowing users to leverage existing game libraries from platforms like Steam, Epic Games, GOG, and Ubisoft Connect.

Previously, Nvidia prioritized its own set-top box, offering a GeForce Now app on the Nvidia Shield TV. Recent updates to the Android app have expanded device compatibility, and this expansion now includes support for webOS.

LG also revealed an updated webOS interface for this year. The previous bottom-of-screen overlay menu has been replaced with a full-screen presentation. This new menu provides access to preferred applications, live television, and content suggestions – and will also include advertisements.

Gamers will benefit from a dedicated game menu offering quick access to relevant settings. This menu will allow users to switch between TV profiles optimized for different game genres (such as FPS or racing games). However, the practical benefit of this feature seems limited, as minimizing latency is generally the priority regardless of the game type. Users will also be able to enable G-Sync and FreeSync when using compatible hardware.

The new OLED TV range includes the entry-level A1 models, equipped with older processors, and the C1 models, which support modern gaming consoles through features like variable refresh rate and reduced input lag. The flagship G1 models are available in three screen sizes: 77 inches, 65 inches, and 55 inches.