Industry

OnePlus CEO Pete Lau Announces Entry into Smart TV Market with OnePlus TV

OnePlus officially unveiled their next big project after the soon-to-be-released OnePlus 6T on Sept. 17. The smartphone manufacturer will be entering the television industry with the introduction of the smart OnePlus TV.

The decision comes after five years of laser sharp focus on the smartphone industry, where the company became the number one premium smartphone brand in countries such as India. OnePlus has produced eight flagship smartphones and one operating system to date, and is loved by millions of users around the world since its founding in 2013.

According to OnePlus founder and CEO, Pete Lau, the decision to make a smart TV is a natural extension in the application of OnePlus’s mission to use technology and innovation to enhance our living experience.

SEE ALSO: OnePlus 6T Confirmed to Launch in October with In-display Fingerprint Unlocking

“For most of us, there are four major environments we come across each day: the home, the workplace, commuting, and being on-the-move. The home – perhaps the most important environment experience – is just starting to enjoy the benefits of intelligent connectivity,” wrote Lau in an open letter to the community. “We would like to bring the latest technology in intelligent connectivity to homes.”

Lau is confident that the experience gained through the making of the OnePlus smartphones in the areas of software, hardware, design and so on will enable the OnePlus team to deliver the “best possible user experience” with the OnePlus TV.

The announcement did not give a forecast as to when the new product will be released, nor is anything known about the specs, appearance or price of the OnePlus TV.

Below is the full letter from Pete Lau, OnePlus founder and CEO:

Intelligent Connectivity: Our Next Step Forward

Hi everyone,

Today, I am so excited to share the latest from us here at OnePlus.

Here, we have always been a team of dreamers, united in mission to share the best technology with the world.

Over the past five years together, we have built eight flagship smartphones and an operating system embraced by millions of users around the world. These past five years have also been a constant exploration of how technology and innovation can improve the human experience through simplicity, efficiency, and intelligent functionality.

Over the next five years, developments in 5G and Artificial Intelligence will offer an even greater canvas to brainstorm how to improve life as we know it. In continuing our relentless exploration of improving the world around us, we would like to take the first step in building a connected human experience. Allow me to explain.

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.

We want to bring the home environment to the next level of intelligent connectivity. To do this, we are building a new product of OnePlus’ premium flagship design, image quality and audio experience to more seamlessly connect the home.

We call it: OnePlus TV.

We believe your TV has the potential to be so much more than a device where you watch your favorite shows.

Since 2013, we have focused on building the best smartphone possible. In the process, our team and community have learned a tremendous amount about software, hardware, design, product development, and delivering on the best possible user experience. These efforts — all of those long nights and weekends in the office contributed by this team and community have paved an excellent foundation on which to build the OnePlus TV experience.

Before the OnePlus One launched, our community grew from a few dozen to tens of thousands of friends from around the world. Everyone was united by the possibility of building a product that would change the game. Today, there are over 5 million OnePlus community members from 196 countries and regions from around the world. We hope each of you can join us again in building something truly special together.

This is a huge step in the OnePlus journey, but like each step along the way, one that we have taken with intense consideration and deliberation. There is great challenge in pushing new boundaries in technology and innovation, but even greater fulfillment in meeting people around the world impacted by our products every day. Here’s to taking the next step together.

Never Settle

Pete Lau


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