[Asia Economy Reporter Seolgina Jo] LG Uplus has added new features to its mobile IPTV ‘U+tv Free,’ the first of its kind in Korea, enabling it to be used as an AI speaker by integrating Naver Clova wake words. The number of U+tv Free subscribers has increased about fourfold over the past year due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the 18th, LG Uplus announced that it enhanced user convenience for U+tv Free by integrating Naver Clova wake words and updating the ‘Dolby Atmos virtualization’ feature. U+tv Free, a tablet-shaped device combined with a set-top box, is a portable device that allows users to watch content anywhere in the home with the same wired IPTV quality. Without a separate login, users can simply turn on the power to access 241 live channels, about 220,000 VOD titles, as well as content from Netflix, YouTube, U+ Kids, and U+ Pro Baseball.
With the integration of Clova wake words, U+tv Free users can now use the device like an AI speaker. Previously, users had to launch the U+tv application to use voice recognition features, but now, even when the screen is off, saying “Hey Clova, turn on the TV” will automatically launch the U+tv app.
Channel changes and VOD searches are also possible. By saying the wake word along with a channel number or name, users can immediately switch to that channel. For example, saying “Hey Clova, find the latest movies” will open the latest movie list page, and following up with “first one” will be recognized and take the user to the purchase screen for the first VOD content.
Additionally, the Dolby Atmos virtualization feature allows users to enjoy content with richer sound. Dolby Atmos is an audio technology that precisely reproduces sounds of people, places, objects, and music, providing a lifelike experience that surrounds the listener, according to the company. This feature is activated by turning on the ‘Dolby icon’ in the U+tv Free’s screen settings. It applies to all content including Netflix, YouTube, live channels, and VOD.
This year, LG Uplus plans to strengthen the quality and user convenience of U+tv Free’s core TV viewing functions and continue updating Clova AI services through collaboration with Naver.
The number of U+tv Free subscribers has steadily increased since the product’s launch in September 2019. Especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the rise of homeschooling and remote work, the subscriber count has grown about fourfold over the past year. Geon-Young Lee, Executive Director of Media Business at LG Uplus, said, “We will enable customers to use U+tv Free not only for TV viewing at home but also as a home media-dedicated device capable of untact services such as an all-in-one AI speaker and video calls.”
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