IFA - Day 2 - Web browsing, apps and more on LG Smart TV

Along with a wall of 3D TVs bigger than most people's houses, LG was also showing its impressive new Smart TVs. The main model on show, the LG LW6595 is a 3D TV that is 1080p HD and also has a USB 2.0 port.

The Smart TV, like the ones on show from Panasonic and Samsung, has a web browser and games as well as a number of other 'apps'. These apps include YouTube and BBC iPlayer along with film services like LoveFilm and NetFlix.

A number of the apps and games available also work in 3D. There was a somewhat basic sports news application that displayed newspaper content alongside very small, low-resolution images. Navigating around the Smart TV was done in a similar way to using a Nintendo Wii.

The TV comes with a remote control that doubles up as a 'pointer'. When directed at the screen and moved around it can be used like a mouse-cursor to select options and navigate around the Smart TV interface. It certainly felt smooth and everything was clearly labelled.

We've seen quite a few smart TVs here at IFA, with all the main manufacturers showing off their own versions. While the offering from LG seems quite good, it will inevitably come down to how much content they can get on their respective services.

For smart TVs to work all the major broadcasters should ideally be available, offering a full catch-up TV service alongside film, web browsing and casual games. We're yet to see a company that has been able to do this.

UK details on the LG Smart TV and other similar products from companies like Samsung and Panasonic are currently thin on the ground. We hope to bring you all the details, including price, available apps and a release date soon.