LG has backtracked on its promise to update some of its pre-2019 TV models with AirPlay or HomeKit support. The company had indicated back in April that it would provide an update that would turn on the features on some of its older TV models by October of this year.
LG had indicated that it would add AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support to some 2018 smart TV models by October 2020. LCD models with “SK” or “UK” in the name and OLED models with “B8” through “Z8” in the name.
The information was included in an LG support document, but all 2018-related information was removed from the support document soon after the news broke. LG has remained silent on the subject since the initial announcement.
Then, a little over a week ago, a customer asked LG’s official UK Twitter account when the update would arrive. That’s when LG finally admitted that it will not fulfill its April promise. The comment was not received well.
https://twitter.com/mart1charron/status/1299976406311538688
This is disappointing news for LG customers that bought a 2018 LG TV based on LG’s promise to update. This definitely includes the 22,000 LG TV owners that had signed a petition calling for the company to add support and believed the petition had succeeded.
AirPlay 2 support would have allowed Apple users to beam content – including video, music, and photos – via AirPlay 2 from their iPhone, iPad, or Mac to their LG TV, just like it already does when using an Apple TV.
The update’s HomeKit support would have allowed users to control their television using Siri voice commands or via the Home app on their Mac, iPhone, or iPad. Siri commands would have allowed users to play specific shows or movies via AirPlay to the LG smart set.
Unfortunately for LG customers, that promise will go unfulfilled.
