Lenovo smart televisions use the

Android operating system Android is a mobile operating system based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open-source software, designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Android is developed by a consortium of deve ...

and are marketed as the "LeTV" in Mainland China.

Launch

In November 2011

Lenovo Lenovo Group Limited, often shortened to Lenovo ( , ), is a Chinese Multinational corporation, multinational technology company specializing in designing, manufacturing, and marketing consumer electronics, Personal computer, personal computers, ...

said it would soon unveil a

smart television A smart TV, also known as a connected TV (CTV), is a traditional television set with integrated Internet and interactive Web 2.0 features, which allows users to stream music and videos, browse the internet, and view photos. Smart TVs are a techno ...

product called LeTV, expected for release in the first quarter of 2012. "The PC, communications and TV industries are currently undergoing a 'smart' transformation. In the future, users will have many smart devices and will desire an integrated experience of hardware, software and cloud services." Liu Jun, president of Lenovo's mobile-Internet and digital-home-business division. Lenovo unveiled its first smart TV at the 2012

Consumer Electronics Show CES (; formerly an initialism for Consumer Electronics Show) is an annual trade show organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). Held in January at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Winchester, Nevada, United States, the event typi ...

in Las Vegas. The company said the set would be available for sale in Mainland China in April 2012. During a keynote speech at the

, Paul Jacobs of

Qualcomm Qualcomm () is an American multinational corporation headquartered in San Diego, California, and incorporated in Delaware. It creates semiconductors, software, and services related to wireless technology. It owns patents critical to the 5G, 4 ...

asked Liu Jun, head of mobile products for Lenovo, to demonstrate the K91. Lenovo released the K91 in Mainland China on 8 May 2012. Lenovo opted to release its first smart television in China because it would be easier to negotiate deals for content in its home market.

Hardware

Lenovo's first smart TV, the LeTV, used the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. The LeTV features the ability to display 3D content, a face-recognition feature designed to help parents limit the time their children spend watching TV, and voice recognition. The LeTV will be offered in 42-inch and 55-inch screen sizes. The LeTV also allows smart phones and tablets to be used as remote controls. As the K91 is an Android-based device, it is capable of running hundreds of applications available for download online. Lenovo has created an app store dedicated specifically to the K91. The LeTV uses a

8060 Snapdragon dual-core processor running at 1.5 GHz, 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of flash storage, and Android 4 ICS. The LeTV has a five-megapixel webcam built into its bezel. It has a remote and game controllers. The LeTV's remote features a microphone necessary for the TV's voice recognition functions and a track pad. The game controller has track pad, and embedded motion sensor. In March 2014 Lenovo announced the S9 smart television. Nicknamed the "Terminator", the S9 is based on NVIDIA's powerful Tegra K1 chip. The 50-inch set has 4K resolution and runs a customised version of Android 4.2. The S9 makes use of a small removable module called a Smart Card. The Smart Card is about the size of a deck of cards, has a micro-USB port, a micro SD slot, and a proprietary 70-pin connector that plugs into the TV. The USB port and SD card slot are used for adding storage and accessories. The K1 processor resides in the Smart Card, allowing for future upgrades. The TV is controlled via a Bluetooth remote that connects to the Smart Card and works via two buttons and gesture control.

Content

Lenovo has established a joint venture called iSmarTV with SMG's BesTV to offer high-definition video for streaming to the LeTV. The service currently offers more than 300,000 hours of television shows and movies. Some iSmarTV content is available in 3D. As of May 2012, more than 1,000 apps have been developed for the LeTV and are available from Lenovo's app store. 40 apps come pre-installed on the LeTV. Apps demoed at the time of the LeTV's release include a web browser, a directory of recipes, and social media tools.

Partnership with Sharp

Lenovo develops its televisions with Sharp, the Japanese electronics manufacturer known for its flat screen displays.

Name

The "Le" series of devices, including the

LePhone Lenovo smartphones are marketed as the "LePhone" in Mainland China and the "IdeaPhone" overseas. Motorola Mobility, ZUK Mobile and Medion, divisions of Lenovo, sell smartphones under their own brands. As of September 2015, Lenovo is in the proce ...

LePad The IdeaPad tablets from Lenovo were a brand of consumer-oriented tablet computers designed for home use or entertainment, as opposed to the business-focused ThinkPad Tablet series. Devices sold in certain countries, such as China, India and Ne ...

, and the LeTV are sold under the "idea" brand outside of China. The "Le" pre-fix means "happy" in Mandarin Chinese and this branding is only used in Mainland China.

References