LG announces 'universal' smart TV platform

(Credit: LG/Philips)

Manufacturers LG and Philips have joined forces to create a universal platform for apps on your TV, and the companies say the system has the support of Japanese manufacturers.

The newly-created Smart TV Alliance is designed to create a single platform making it easier for customers to share apps across multiple TVs and encourage more developers.

"Before today, the Smart TV industry was a very difficult market for both TV manufacturers and application developers as TV's from different brands used different platforms and technologies," said Bong-seok Kwon of LG Electronics, president of Smart TV Alliance.

The system will be a competitor to the embattled Google TV interface which is the only other cross-brand ecosystem.

The Smart TV alliance will make the tools available for free on its website for use by all manufacturers and hopes that it will help simplify the process of creating new apps across multiple brands.

Given that the tools will only be available at the end of 2012 it's unlikely there will be any TVs sporting the new interface, from brands other than Philips or LG, until 2013 and beyond.