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By pivotCE
Well, it’s 2024 and technology continues to advance. The TouchPad isn’t new by any means, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be slightly modernized to be more convenient today. Specifically, it is entirely possible to convert the TouchPad’s Micro USB port to USB C for charging and USB storage access. I’ll show you how.
This is a tough mod which requires micro-soldering and modifying a PCB which you will have a hard time sourcing a replacement for without buying another TouchPad. Proceed at your own peril.
Tools for the Job
To do this mod you’ll need a few things for tools and parts. Here’s a list of what I used:
– Needle nose pliers/tweezers
– USB C boards with 5.1k resistors
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– Soldering iron, solder, flux and a hot air station
– Flush cuts
– Dremel with cutting or sanding wheel
– 28 AWG wire or smaller. 30 AWG is pretty good but any wire around 0.25mm to 0.5mm should work.
– Small file and screwdriver set
– Painter’s and kapton tape
– Metal spudger Disassemble the TouchPad
This is where you’re going to want to get that metal spudger out and be very careful not to snap clips. I can’t explain it better than iFixit already did so go check out their and then come back here.
Modify the USB Connector Board by Removing the Micro Port
There are a few ways to remove the Micro USB port. I added a bunch of flux and coated all the connectors in fresh leaded solder and then used a hot air station set to 800 degrees while wiggling the port very slightly with needle nose pliers. You don’t have to be particularly careful here so if you want to cut the port off with the dremel or the flush cuts or just rip it off with the pliers, (I don’t recommend it but…) that’s fine. We’re not using the pads it’s soldered to anyway. You should STILL be careful not to crack the board. Go slow. Be patient.
Trim the USB C Board
We need to expose the USB C port a bit on this board so let’s cut it down. Grab the painter’s tape and flip the USB C board upside down. You’ll see a small trace between the front and rear anchor points on the right side, which we don’t want to cut. Mark the tape just on the other side of that trace like I did. Dremel along the tape line until you get to the port. You can then use needle nose pliers, a flat file, and/or flush cuts to remove the rest of the board from the bottom of the port.
Prepare the USB Connector Board for the USB C Port
We need to slide the port into the old space so grab the painter’s tape again and mark off the area I marked to make room for the USB C port. You can place the port up to it like I did and use that as a guide. Grab your dremel again or a similar tool and cut out what you marked off. When you’re done, the USB C port should slide easily into the groove. It will fit tighter when we add the kapton tape in a later step.
Make Room in the TouchPad for the Added Thickness of the USB C Board
The USB C board will sit underneath the USB connector board so we have to make room by trimming away the plastic underneath. For this you’ll need to use flush cuts or any other tool you have to chip away. You could use the dremel for this if you’d like. Be careful to not go beyond the first inner layer. Beyond that is the outer shell of the TouchPad. There’s no real method here, just cut out the screw posts and chip away. Use the pictures below as a guide.
Cut the USB C Hole from the Old Micro USB Hole
To open the micro USB hole enough to fit the USB C port, take a rounded file to the left and right of both sides and just file a little bit at at time. Use a small flat file to widen the top and bottom of the port. This process is just trial and error. File a little and then grab the USB C board to test. The port will need to fit inside the hole a bit so you can push it through from the outside to test the hole size if that’s easier. Note: the USB C board will likely not rest on the bottom of the TouchPad and will float a little. This is good because it makes room for your wires and a little kapton tape underneath.
Tape the USB C Board
Since we hacked away at the USB connector board it’s possible we’ve provided the perfect environment for creating shorts! Oh no! So get out the kapton tape because we’re going to add a layer on both sides. You’ll see how I did it on one side below. Do it on both sides. You’ll also notice how I did not cover those two small square contacts just at the bottom of the tape. That’s because we need them.
Where To Get Power and Data
You’ll see the diagrams below which I’ve marked with VBUS (power), data in, data out, and ground. Obviously the old port is gone and most if its pads, but I wanted to show that both sides of the board have the connections. You could possibly do this mod differently, and if you so choose, hopefully these help.
A quick note: this mod can be done with a 4-pin USB C port. That would give you power and data just like with the USB C board I’m using in this guide, however, a 4-pin USB C board will not charge with a USB C charger (ie USB 3.1). The board I’m using in this guide provides the ability to use any charger because it comes pre-built with 5.1k resistors wired to CC1 and CC2 to ground. This is the trick that tells the USB C chargers to send power to the device.
Solder the USB C Board into the USB Connector Board
This isn’t a “how to solder tutorial” so hit up youtube and find a good tutorial that works for you. In general though, use flux, pre-tin the VBUS, Ground, D-, and D+ pads on the USB C board as well as the points on the bottom of the USB connector board.
Now for the tricky part, I didn’t list it in the Tools section above, but it would really help to have magnification or a digital microscope for this. I have these things and I used both. You might have steadier hands and better eyes than me. The picture below was my first attempt of the three TouchPads I modded, and it’s not my best soldering work, but fundamentally, this is what yours should look like.
Put the Pieces Together
You can use a bit of kapton tape to secure the wires in place a bit more if you’d like but it’s not required. It won’t short since it’s only plastic underneath. This is all press fit into place, but if you’re uncomfortable with that, you can add a little hot glue under the board as you put it back into the TouchPad. You don’t have to put the metal shield back into place if you don’t want to. It’s all a pretty tightly fit and if you find the TouchPad screen isn’t as flush as you want, just leave the metal shield off. A little kapton tape right on top would be fine instead.
Congrats, You Now Have USB C
I did this mod on three TouchPads and each one works fine with any USB charger I could find, including USB C port having USB 3.1 chargers. I can also confirm the data connection works just like it should to connect via USB mode on PC. Sadly, this doesn’t do anything to stop webOS from telling you the charger you’re using isn’t the original TouchPad barrel charger, but you can make a custom cable to stop that which I’ll cover in a future article on pivotCE.
#webOS4ever
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By News Reporter
Companies to Jointly Develop Total Solutions for Virtual Production and XR Studios
SEOUL, Sep. 9, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) announces it has acquired a stake in
link hidden, please login to view (Mo-Sys), a market leading developer of virtual production solutions and camera robotics. The strategic seed investment and partnership will expand LG’s capabilities in the virtual production and broadcasting technology segments, enabling it to deliver a more comprehensive lineup of sophisticated hardware- and software-based solutions. Formerly the exclusive province of the movie industry, virtual production studios are becoming increasingly popular with TV broadcasters, and with corporations and educational institutions seeking to create their own content in house. Employing a wide array of advanced technologies, including large-scale LED screens, camera tracking, LED controllers and media servers, virtual production stages have brought a new dimension – and a raft of new possibilities – to the art of visual storytelling.
Renowned for its industry-leading display technology, LG has already established itself in this growing segment, providing its Micro LED and LED screens for both virtual reality (VR) studios and extended reality (XR) stages. Through its newly-signed strategic partnership with Mo-Sys, LG will be able to offer a fuller range of solutions for virtual production and XR studios. As part of the agreement, the two companies will be able to seamlessly support customers who choose to combine LG’s LED displays and controllers with Mo-Sys’s XR products and systems to create a total solution for XR.
“We’re excited by this new partnership, and by the unique value we’ll be able to deliver to customers through combining LG’s mastery of display technology with Mo-Sys’s expertise in virtual production solutions,” said Paik Ki-mun, senior vice president and head of the Information Display business unit of LG Business Solutions Company. “LG will continue to pursue collaboration with partners to strengthen its capabilities as a provider of B2B solutions and innovative experiences.”
Michael Geissler, CEO of Mo-Sys Engineering, commented, “We are delighted to have LG’s support as we continue to innovate in the field of next-generation virtual production technology. Their investment will enable us to enhance our R&D efforts, drive sustainability, and create more efficient production solutions.”
LG virtual production solutions will be on show at the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) 2024 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (September 13-16). For more information, visit .
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By News Reporter
Since CEO William Cho
link hidden, please login to view of becoming a ‘Smart Life Solutions’ company, LG has made significant changes to various parts of its business and expanded new areas. To celebrate one year since this bold move, the company has launched an advertising campaign showcasing the remarkable progress it has made so far.
Titled ‘Connecting Spaces and Future,’ the campaign highlights this vision and demonstrates a strong dedication to innovation, aiming to strengthen its reputation as a leading innovator across various sectors. The campaign features videos showcasing LG’s ongoing transformation into a ‘Smart Life Solutions’ company through an ever-evolving product portfolio. Starting July 27, three videos will be released focusing on its mobility solutions, air solutions and more.
This marks the first LG video campaign to focus on the company as a whole since ‘Digitally Yours’ in 2000. The new video content seeks to underscore LG’s mobility solutions and the unique experiences they offer, as well as AI smart home solutions that provide personalized environments, webOS solutions that connect various devices on a single platform, and the core technologies including HVAC solutions that will drive future industries.
The mobility solutions video illustrates LG’s efforts to expand home experiences onto the road and deliver unique customer experiences based on three main themes: Transformable, Explorable and Relaxable. It also features the company’s emerging electric vehicle (EV) charging business. The video on its air solutions highlights excellent HVAC technology, including chillers and heat pumps, and a commitment to innovating global solutions that enhance customers’ lives in every space, from residential to commercial.
This event is in line with LG’s desire to showcase its innovative efforts beyond the home appliance space. By highlighting other categories and sectors it pioneers, LG aims to resonate with younger audiences and establish a youthful, dynamic brand image.
On the first anniversary of the announcement of its ‘Smart Life Solutions’ transformation, LG is expanding its achievements across three new pillars of growth: accelerating B2B (including vehicle components and HVAC), pursuing platform-based services (subscriptions, webOS-based advertising and content, etc.) and exploring new business areas such as EV charging.
Notably, after surpassing KRW 10 trillion in sales last year, LG’s vehicle components business carried on in the same form this year by achieving a record-high performance in the second quarter. The company’s commercial HVAC business, which is also growing rapidly, is further diversifying its business portfolio. LG is continuously leveraging its globally competitive HVAC solutions across the entire value chain, from products, technology, production and services, while actively targeting backend industries supporting AI infrastructure, such as data centers.
Starting this year, LG launched its , integrating AI and digital transformation with the company’s manufacturing and production data. This business undertakes production consulting, develops production methods, equipment and operation systems, and trains production technology personnel. Furthermore, the company expects to secure orders worth approximately KRW 300 billion in supplying smart factory solutions to business clients. Meanwhile, the company is actively expanding its webOS-based advertising and content business from TVs to automotive infotainment, with sales set to exceed KRW 1 trillion this year.
LG is accelerating its shift from a traditional product-centric business model to a recurring model that continuously generates revenue through intangible, non-hardware businesses such as subscriptions, content and services.
Stay tuned to to discover LG’s vision in greater detail and get the latest updates on the company’s ongoing transformation into a Smart Life Solutions company.
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By News Reporter
Company to Leverage Lighthouse Factory Expertise
to Develop Future-Oriented Business Models
SEOUL, July 18, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) is advancing its smart factory solutions business by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation (DX) with its extensive 66-year history of manufacturing and production expertise.
The Ultimate Fusion of AI and Manufacturing Capabilities
Earlier this year, LG officially entered the smart factory solutions market. The Production engineering Research Institute (PRI), which has been enhancing production and manufacturing competitiveness for LG Group affiliates, is now extending its expertise to external clients. Services offered include production consulting, development of equipment and operation systems and training for technology personnel.
Despite being in its inaugural year, the business has already achieved significant milestones. PRI anticipates securing orders worth approximately KRW 200 billion from external clients for its smart factory solutions.
Major clients include secondary battery manufacturers, automotive parts manufacturers and logistics companies. LG plans to aggressively expand into industries with rapidly growing factory demand, such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and food and beverage. The goal is to develop the smart factory solutions business into a multi-trillion KRW enterprise by 2030, excluding revenue generated within the LG Group.
According to market research firm
link hidden, please login to view, the global smart factory market is projected to grow from USD 155.61 billion this year to USD 268.46 billion by 2030. 770TB of Manufacturing Data and Over 1,000 Patents
LG has accumulated vast amounts of manufacturing data and know-how through 66 years of factory design, construction and operation. In the past decade alone, the company has amassed 770 terabytes (TB) of manufacturing and production data, equivalent to storing approximately 197,000 high-definition movies (assuming each movie is 4GB). The company’s competitive edge also lies in its various core production technologies essential for smart factory configuration, with PRI filing over 1,000 patents related to smart factory solutions. LG aims to set its smart factory solutions apart by integrating its extensive manufacturing data and expertise with AI and DX, leveraging world-class production technologies. These smart factory solutions encompass production system design, monitoring and operation through Digital Twin technology; big data and generative AI-based management of quality, industrial safety and equipment; and the provision of various industrial robots.
Production Efficiency Directly Linked to Business Profitability
Smart factory solutions focus on minimizing even the briefest delays or minute errors between processes. Since efficiency in production is directly linked to the overall profitability of the business, enhancing it is crucial. For example, at LG’s refrigerator production line in Changwon, a refrigerator is produced every 13 seconds. A 10-minute delay in the production line would result in a production shortfall of 50 refrigerators. Assuming the price of one refrigerator is KRW 2 million, a 10-minute delay translates to a loss of KRW 100 million.
This impact is even more significant for products with faster production speeds.* Therefore, solutions that minimize delays across processes – from the seamless supply of multiple components to assembly, packaging and inspection – are essential.
Comprehensive Production Solutions Covering the Entire Journey
LG approaches the smart factory business not just as unit solutions for specific areas but as comprehensive solutions covering the entire journey for clients, from factory planning to design, construction and operation. Considering the client’s environment and industry characteristics, the company diagnoses existing factories and identifies areas for improvement, establishing a step-by-step roadmap from automation, informationization and intelligence perspectives to maximize investment effectiveness.
Digital Twin Solution for All Value Chain
The production system design and operation solutions leverage real-time simulations using Digital Twin technology. Before the factory is built, a virtual replica identical to the real factory is created, allowing clients to preview the production and logistics flow. This enables optimal efficiency in factory design.
During the operational phase, analyzing real-time data helps detect bottlenecks, defects and malfunctions in the production line in advance, thereby contributing to productivity improvement.
Autonomous Mobile Robots and Collaborative Robots
LG’s various industrial robot solutions for factory automation offer significant advantages. The Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) is equipped with cameras, radar and LiDAR sensors to recognize its surroundings and supply parts and materials. It navigates effectively, avoiding workers and obstacles through autonomous driving.
The Mobile Manipulator (MM), which combines a multi-joint robotic arm with an AMR, can automate a range of tasks seamlessly. It is capable of diverse actions such as assembly, defect inspection and transporting parts and materials. Additionally, it can replace the batteries of nearby AMRs when they run low.
Generative AI Solutions for Easy Anomaly Diagnosis
Solutions that assist in managing yield rates and ensuring the smooth operation of equipment are also highly beneficial. Sensors installed throughout the factory detect abnormal signals such as vibrations and noise caused by equipment aging or lack of lubrication. Big data is then used to determine the causes and recommend corrective actions.
Generative AI based on large language models allows for easy use through voice commands. For example, saying “abnormal vibration in equipment A at 2 p.m.” records the abnormal signal on the server. A command like “show recent abnormal vibrations and corrective actions” provides a list of defect types and previous corrective actions in order of likelihood.
Additionally, LG has developed a real-time detection system powered by Vision AI. This system learns the factory’s normal operating conditions and detects anomalies such as temperature fluctuations and defects. It also enhances factory safety management by identifying workers who are not properly wearing safety helmets or work vests.
Expediting the Development of a Future-Oriented Business Model by Harnessing Lighthouse Factory Expertise
LG’s intelligent autonomous factories in Changwon, South Korea, and Tennessee, USA, have been recognized as Lighthouse Factories by the World Economic Forum. Following the implementation of smart factory solutions, productivity at the Changwon plant increased by 17 percent, energy efficiency improved by 30 percent, and quality costs due to defects were reduced by 70 percent. Within the LG Group, production facilities at over 60 locations in 40 regions worldwide are applying solutions from PRI.
Leveraging this internally and externally validated smart factory expertise for business ventures holds significant meaning in terms of commercializing intangible assets. LG is driving a transformation of its business portfolio, which has traditionally focused on production of hardware, by integrating software and solutions into a future-oriented structure. This approach is expected to significantly contribute to the rapid growth of the company’s B2B sector, one of the three key growth drivers in LG’s 2030 Future Vision, especially as it targets numerous external corporate clients.
“We will offer optimal smart factory solutions at every stage – from planning and design to construction and operation – becoming the ideal partner that supports our clients throughout their entire production journey,” said Jeong Dae-hwa, head of LG PRI.
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* Unit for production speed is parts per million (PPM).
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By News Reporter
Headlined by Next-Gen Micro LED Display, Company’s Exhibit Boasts an Array of
Cutting-Edge Displays and Management Solutions for Diverse Sectors
SEOUL, June 12, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) is participating in InfoComm 2024, North America’s largest professional audiovisual tradeshow, taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada, from June 12-14. Inside a vast, 225-square-meter exhibition booth, the company is showcasing its latest AI-enhanced digital display solutions for B2B environments, including retail, corporate and education.
Among the highlights of LG’s InfoComm 2024 exhibit is a next-generation Micro LED display which is being unveiled to the public for the first time. Scheduled to launch by the end of this year, the newly-announced model employs AI technology to enhance picture quality and all-around performance.
LG’s Micro LED display utilizes tiny LED chips, measuring approximately 16 micrometers wide by 27 micrometers long – to deliver high contrast, bold colors and exceptional detail. The company’s sophisticated AI technology is used to produce and precisely evaluate the chips, 25 million of which are integrated into the 136-inch model. Additionally, the display itself leverages LG’s AI processor to analyze the brightness and tone of the LED chips in real time, automatically calibrating them to achieve the best picture quality possible.
Visitors to LG’s booth can also explore the convenience-enhancing signage display software available through
link hidden, please login to view, the company’s exclusive B2B online software platform. These include the LG DOOH Ads commercial display advertising solution, LG SuperSign Cloud content management solution, and the LG ConnectedCare real-time monitoring and remote-control solution. Each suite of software helps to maximize the efficient usage of LG’s commercial display solutions and expand the customer experience. In addition, LG is demonstrating its security system, LG Shield, at InfoComm 2024. The ideal tool for an era in which security has become more important than ever, the system is able to protect central servers, apps and operating systems from a broad spectrum of cyber threats. LG Shield has attained several international security certifications, including Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level 2 (CC EAL2) certification and the OpenChain security assurance specification (ISO/IEC 18974:2023).
Also on show is an advanced AI advertising solution, presented by LG in collaboration with its partners, which can display ads tailored to various audiences.
Furthermore, the LG booth features a comprehensive lineup of display solutions optimized for corporate environments. These include the LG MAGNIT, which now features a 144Hz variable refresh rate (VRR). Courtesy of this new upgrade, users can enjoy high-quality video content without the distraction of screen-tearing or stuttering. As certified by TÜV Rheinland, the LG MAGNIT delivers excellent low-grayscale performance, boasting outstanding image clarity and enabling users to see more vividly what’s happening during the darkest scenes. The display is also certified for color consistency over a wide viewing angle.
LG MAGNIT also has earned certifications regarding product- and user-safety in the installation environment. LG’s display complies with the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) regulatory standards for electromagnetic compatibility and has earned a Class-1 rating in the British Standards Institution (BSI) Surface Spread of Flame Test (BS476 Part7). It also comes with Eye Comfort certification from TÜV Rheinland for its low blue-light emissions.
The LG MAGNIT All-in-One, a 136-inch display equipped with a built-in controller and speakers, is ideal for use in offices and conference rooms. With its sleek, user-friendly design, the display has received prestigious industrial design accolades, such as a 2024 Red Dot Design Award and a 2024 iF Design Award.
Other impressive products presented by LG at this year’s InfoComm include 171-inch LED signage and 105-inch digital signage display featuring a 21:9 aspect ratio. Suitable for video conference calls, the super-sized screens enable users to display multiple pieces of visual information simultaneously, making it possible to share a wealth of data or video feeds from a large number of conference participants. Additional displays include LG CreateBoard, a digital whiteboard that promotes interactive learning and collaboration in both classrooms and workplaces. Google Mobile Services-certified, LG CreateBoard enables users to seamlessly integrate with the Google ecosystem by connecting their Google accounts.
Visitors can also see LG’s solutions for the digitalized retail environment, including digital menu boards and standing displays designed for drive-through restaurants and stores. The company’s solutions provide excellent visibility outdoors thanks to their high-brightness displays, and increased durability due to the implementation of technology that protects against screen-yellowing from prolonged exposure to sunlight.
“Featuring an array of AI-powered digital display solutions for B2B customers, LG’s showcase at InfoComm 2024 reveals a strong commitment to advancing the technology, and to meeting the unique display needs of diverse sectors,” said Paik Ki-mun, head of the Information Display business unit at LG Business Solutions Company.
To learn more about LG’s B2B digital displays, visit .
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