Apple and LG have partnered to fix hotel TV’s biggest problem

Holidays are great. They promise to be a time away from the stresses of life and an opportunity to explore a city or country you’ve never seen before. But sometimes, the weather just doesn’t allow for hanging out all day, or you’re just in the mood to order room service, relax, and binge-watch your favorite show.

Too: WWDC 2023: How to update every Apple device (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and more)

When this happens, there’s usually something in the way: TVs in many hotels mostly display ads for hotels or local attractions, don’t have any apps or streaming services, and you can’t find your favorites (or least favorites). ) have to pay to watch. Movies and Shows.

This situation is not because hotels are not aware of the lack of in-room entertainment. Hotel companies sign large contracts with technology companies for Ethernet access and have to obtain usage rights from streaming providers.

These partnerships can be difficult to manage, leaving guests watching YouTube or a streaming service on their phone, tablet or laptop, rendering hospitality TV virtually useless.

Apple announced a solution to this problem earlier this month at its annual WWDC conference. The company announced AirPlay for hotels, which allows users to connect their iPhone or iPad to their hotel TV via QR code.

Too: Best Netflix Alternatives of 2023

Once a device is connected to the hotel TV, users can project streaming services, YouTube videos, photos, music, presentations and more to the in-room TV. LG is the first company to produce a line of commercial TVs compatible with AirPlay for hotels.

LG’s Pro:Centric Smart Hotel TVs will be available later this year in select hotels equipped with AirPlay. AirPlay allows hotels to bypass the need to license popular streaming services, as users with subscriptions can access their preferred streaming services.

As LG executives have acknowledged, the new LG hospitality TVs may encourage Apple enthusiasts to stay at properties with TVs.

Too: Best Live TV Streaming Services of 2023

“Hoteliers who offer this feature will instantly connect with travelers using an Apple device, providing a real differentiator from local competition,” Michael Kosla, vice president of Hospitality, LG Business Solutions USA, said in a statement. Satisfaction will increase. Press release,

It’s unclear which hotels will have LG’s new TVs or whether TVs with AirPlay capabilities will only be available in more expensive properties.