HP confirmed yesterday that it will sell its webOS operating system (OS) to LG Electronics. The Korean-based firm says it plans to integrate the OS into its smart TVs, but not tablets or handsets.

HP, which acquired the OS as part of a $1.2 billion purchase of Palm in 2010, will transfer the webOS source code, engineering expertise and patents to LG. However, HP’s COO Bill Veghte said that the company will retain the patents and all the technology relating to the cloud service of webOS.

“As we looked at it, we saw a very compelling IP that was very unique in the marketplace,” Veghte told Reuters, adding that HP has already had a partnership with LG on webOS before the deal was announced. “As a result of this collaboration, LG offered to acquire the webOS operating system technology.”

LG Electronics president and CTO, Skott Ahn, said that the webOS technology offers a compelling user experience. “When combined with our own technology, it will pave the way for future innovations using the latest web technologies.”

The CTO confirmed that the acquisition of the webOS engineering team would bring added R&D capabilities to LG’s Silicon Valley Lab. The value of the transaction was not revealed by either company.