Seoul: LG Electronics Inc. on Thursday introduced its latest innovation, a new television model designed specifically to cater to senior users who struggle with the complexities of modern smart TVs. The LG Easy TV aims to provide a simpler, more accessible interface along with integrated health care features.
According to Yonhap News Agency, nearly 70 percent of the inquiries from seniors to LG's service centers relate to basic operational issues, underscoring the need for televisions with more intuitive interfaces. This prompted LG to develop a product that addresses these challenges and reflects the growing demographic of seniors, who are expected to make up about 20 percent of South Korea's population by the end of 2024.
Baik Seon-pill, head of LG's home electronics product planning division, emphasized that the new TV not only targets seniors but also their children, who frequently receive requests for assistance from their parents. "We believe seniors and their children will each account for half of the sales," he stated.
The LG Easy TV simplifies user interaction by featuring a home screen with only five applications and larger text, making navigation easier for seniors. It also comes with a customized remote control equipped with a "help" button, which allows users to revert to the original video when other functions are mistakenly activated.
Additionally, the TV includes features to assist seniors with daily routines, such as alarms for medication intake. Through a collaboration with KakaoTalk, a leading mobile messenger in South Korea, the TV will offer an LG Buddy feature, enabling seniors to contact family members by pressing a remote control button three times in emergencies.
Park Hyoung-sei, head of LG's media entertainment division, stated, "The company will continue to pioneer into new markets by expanding the lifestyle TVs lineup, including the LG Easy TV for seniors and families, along with the portable screen, the StandByMe."
Set to be released in South Korea next week, the LG Easy TV will be available at a price of 2.76 million won (US$1,970).