OnePlus to foray into smart TV segment, CEO Pete Lau wants users to name it

OnePlus will start making smart TVs. The company on Monday announced that it had taken first steps to launch its first smart TV, dubbed as OnePlus TV. The new smart TV division will be spearheaded by CEO and founder Pete Lau.

OnePlus hinted that will be implementing its smartphone formula for its smart TVs - affordable price tag with top-of-the-line specifications. The company said users can expect "premium flagship design, image quality and audio experience" from its new device. OnePlus is also betting big on Artificial Intelligence and next-generation 5G connectivity to drive its new portfolio.

OnePlus said it is taking feedback from its users on what should be included in its new smart TV.

Crowd-sourced name
OnePlus is tentatively calling its new smart TV as OnePlus TV. But the company has invited users to suggest name of the new device. You can propose name for OnePlus TV here before October 17. OnePlus will announce the top 10 names on October 31. The company will be giving away free OnePlus Bullets Wireless to the finalists. Name of the winner will be announced before December 31.

It will not be the first time a technology company has crowd-sourced the name of its new product. Back in 2016 Google invited users to name its new iteration of Android operating system. Later, Android Nougat was finalised.

New venture
"It is a natural extension for OnePlus to address gaps in the television industry, which it tackled in the smartphone market - balancing high-quality hardware with the latest in technology, developing a seamless user experience, and crafting hardware that is minimalistic and timeliness in design," said the company in a release.

"For most of us, there are four major environments we experience each day: the home, the workplace, the commute, and being on-the-move. The home - perhaps the most important environment experience - is just starting to enjoy the benefits of intelligent connectivity. Something that seems as simple as displaying the photos from your mobile phone to a television is still difficult to achieve. With the development of AI technology, our imagination is endless - and we are looking forward to the future," said Pete Lau.

Currently, there's no word on whether OnePlus will roll out its smart TV portfolio in India or not. Considering India being one of its top markets, the company is most likely to launch its affordable smart TV in the country.

India's smart TV is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 30.2 percent during 2018-24. According to a Research and Markets report, big investments from over the top (OTT) players like Netflix, Amazon and Hydrate have played a big role in growth of smart TVs in India. It also points out that penetration of smart TV vendors has increased in the country.

It is worth noting that the likes of Xiaomi, Thomson and Kodak are already selling low-cost smart TVs in India. While Kodak is already an established player, companies like Xiaomi and Micromax have extended their portfolios from phones to TVs, a new segment OnePlus is aiming to tap.