Lenovo LeTV
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Consumer electronics |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founder | Lenovo |
| Headquarters | China |
| Products | Smart TVs |
| Parent | Lenovo |
Lenovo smart TVs operate on the Android platform and are branded as "LeTV" within Mainland China.
Launch
In November 2011, Lenovo revealed intentions to release a smart television named LeTV, aiming for an early 2012 launch. Liu Jun, who leads Lenovo's mobile Internet and digital home business unit, emphasized the industry's evolution toward unified smart devices integrating hardware, software, and cloud capabilities. The company showcased its inaugural smart TV at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas, with commercial availability beginning in Mainland China by April 2012. At CES, Liu Jun demonstrated the K91 model, which officially debuted in China on 8 May 2012. Lenovo focused on the Chinese market primarily due to more straightforward content licensing arrangements.
Hardware
The LeTV series from Lenovo utilizes Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and includes support for 3D media, facial recognition technology for parental controls, and voice command functionality. It comes in two sizes: 42 inches and 55 inches. Users can operate the TV using compatible smartphones or tablets as remote controls. The Android-powered K91 model offers access to hundreds of applications downloadable through a specialized app marketplace.
Key specifications of the LeTV include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8060 dual-core processor clocked at 1.5 GHz, 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of internal memory, and a five-megapixel camera embedded within its frame. The remote control features a built-in microphone for voice input and a trackpad; an additional game controller incorporates both a trackpad and motion sensing technology.
In March 2014, Lenovo launched the S9 smart TV, nicknamed "Terminator," equipped with NVIDIA’s Tegra K1 processor. This 50-inch 4K television runs a customized version of Android 4.2 and incorporates a detachable Smart Card module containing the CPU, micro-USB port, microSD card slot, and a proprietary connector designed for upgrades and accessories. Control is managed via a Bluetooth remote that combines physical buttons with gesture-based inputs linked directly to the Smart Card.
Content
To deliver high-definition streaming content for LeTV devices, Lenovo established a joint venture named iSmarTV alongside SMG's BesTV. This partnership provides access to over 300,000 hours of television programs and films, including some available in 3D format. By May 2012, Lenovo's app store hosted more than 1,000 applications tailored for LeTV users, with approximately 40 apps preloaded—such as web browsing tools, cooking guides, and social networking utilities.
Partnership with Sharp
Lenovo partners with Sharp, the Japanese electronics company well-known for its flat-panel display technology, in developing its television products.
Name
Devices in the "Le" product line—such as LePhone, LePad, and LeTV—are marketed internationally under the "idea" brand name. The prefix "Le," meaning "happy" in Mandarin Chinese, is exclusively used within Mainland China.