An investigation by Gamers Nexus, working with Level1Techs and independent security researchers, found that LG OLED TVs continually scan local Wi-Fi networks for nearby devices, log location and network details, and send this data to LG Ad Solutions. The TVs were also found capable of capturing microphone audio during standby, storing it locally when disconnected from the internet and uploading it once reconnected, alongside using Automatic Content Recognition to identify what owners watch through apps and HDMI inputs.
A GamersNexus investigation into LG smart TVs found system logs storing sensitive spoken data, including credit card numbers and Social Security numbers, captured during voice search queries. The same testing also suggested the TVs could access webcam and microphone functions while appearing off or disconnected from the network, and that a compromised TV could scan the local network to discover other connected devices.
An investigation by Gamers Nexus, working with Level1Techs and independent security researchers, found that LG OLED TVs including the G5 actively scan home networks to identify phones, smartwatches and other nearby devices, while also capturing microphone audio even when the display appears off. The collected data, including Wi-Fi network names, signal strength and location details, is later uploaded once the TV reconnects to the internet and feeds into LG's advertising arm, LG Ad Solutions.
Microsoft is partnering with TCL to add its Xbox app to select smart TVs in the coming months, enabling access to Xbox Cloud Gaming without a console. The rollout coincides with a new pay-as-you-go cloud gaming option launching in November, which lets users stream games without an active Game Pass subscription.
OLED screens use self-emitting pixels that dim gradually with use, and because sub-pixels for red, green and blue age at different rates, uneven wear can create visible ghosting known as burn-in. Static content such as news tickers, channel logos, or long gaming sessions with fixed HUD elements accelerates this uneven degradation in specific screen regions.
Roku has entered the OLED television market with two new lines: the Pro Series, sold exclusively on Amazon starting at $999, and the pricier Pro Series LX arriving in October. Both run Roku's own OS and include 120Hz-or-higher panels, HDMI 2.1 ports, Dolby Vision and HDR10 Plus support, and gaming features like VRR and auto low latency mode.
An investigation into a budget-priced 75-inch LG smart TV found that agreeing to install the display's basic driver software also forces users to accept a bundle of additional bloatware apps they never explicitly consented to. The report argues this practice, combined with built-in microphones and tracking-capable operating systems, effectively turns purchased hardware into a surveillance and advertising platform controlled by the manufacturer rather than the buyer.
Sony has introduced the Bravia 6, a lower-cost OLED television line built to compete directly with entry-level OLED sets like the LG B6. Pricing starts at $1,300, with the 65-inch model at $2,000, well below the $2,800 Bravia 8 II. The set uses a 4K OLED panel with Sony's Triluminos Pro processing, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X support, and runs Google TV with Gemini integration.
Sony has officially unveiled the Bravia 6 OLED, a more affordable model positioned beneath its Bravia 8, 8 II, 9 II and 7 II lines. It ranges from 48 to 83 inches, runs Google TV with Gemini support, and includes a 120Hz panel, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and four HDMI 2.1 ports. Prices span $1,300 for the smallest size to $4,000 for the 83-inch model.
Costco has launched an early round of Labor Day 2026 promotions covering televisions, smartwatches, Apple devices and other electronics. The deals are being aggregated and vetted by outlets like ZDNET, which test and compare pricing across retailers before recommending items to shoppers.
GuliKit has released an updated travel dock for the Switch 2 that doubles as a stand, filling the gap left after Nintendo's software changes broke compatibility with Genki's Covert Dock. The plastic dock mimics an aluminum finish, weighs little, and includes a magnetic cover to protect its USB-C port, all at less than half the price of Genki's alternative.
Reports found that some LG monitors have been quietly installing an app called LG Monitor App Installer onto connected PCs through Windows Update, disguised as a driver update. That app has been used to surface pop-up ads for third-party software like McAfee, prompting Microsoft to force LG to remove the ads. LG says the installer is meant to enable monitor-specific features, but the covert delivery method has raised alarm.