LG Electronics plans to launch a new smart TV with the WebOS platform at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that kicks off Jan. 6, 2015, in Las Vegas, reports Mashable.

WebOS is the mobile operating system designed by Palm to power LG's early smartphones. Hewlett-Packard acquired the platform in 2010 for about $1.2 billion before shutting it down the next year. The platform made a comeback in 2013 when LG resurrected it to power the company's evolving lineup of smart televisions.

LG says the new and improved version of WebOS gives viewers access to a wider range of 4k ultraHD streaming options. The enhanced platform is also faster.

"By updating WebOS with new and smarter features, users will experience a next-generation Smart TV platform that's simpler, easier and more intuitive than ever before," LG Vice President In-kyu Lee said in a statement. "The WebOS 2.0 platform is another example of LG's commitment to taking a leadership role in the next generation TV market with an innovative Smart TV solution."

CNET reports that the platform's loading times have been reduced by 60 percent, and converting apps take significantly less time, too. For example, the new version of WebOS will load the YouTube app 70 percent faster compared to the original version.

External Input and Settings menus have been added to WebOS 2.0 as well. Plus, users can now save their favorite cable or set-top box channels on the home screen's My Channel menu.

In February 2013, LG acquired the WebOS source code, development infrastructure and related materials from Hewlett-Packard. Since the South Korea tech giant introduced WebOS at last year's CES, it has sold more than 5 million televisions powered by the mobile operating system.

WebOS for smart TVs competes directly with archrival Samsung's smart television powered by Tizen, which will also be on display at the 2015 CES.

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