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Samsung drops display lawsuit against LG

By Kim Yoo-chulSamsung Display has dropped a lawsuit against LG Display that sought a ban on the latter for infringements concerning organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology, Samsung said Tuesday.The long-standing legal battle between the two started in 2011, when Samsung alleged that 11 of its researchers had leaked details of its OLED technology to LG.“We sent a letter to the Seoul Central District Court late Tuesday to cancel the lawsuit against LG Display,’’ said Samsung spokesman Kim Ho-jeong.The cancellation came after chief executives from the companies agreed to resolve their dispute through talks, at a meeting arranged by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy.LG Display welcomed the decision.``LG Display welcomes Samsung Display’s decision to withdraw its injunction request. An official statement will be forthcoming shortly as LG reopens following the Korean Lunar New Year holiday,'' LG said in a statement to The Korea Times.The OLED technology is currently being used in premium smartphones, tablets and televisions.LG Display, an affiliate of LG Gro

Feb 12, 2013By Kim Yoo-chul
Tech & Science

Samsung closes 'image' gap with Apple

Apple co-founder says Samsung 'big competitor'Steve WozniakApple’s co-founderBy Kim Yoo-chulSamsung Electronics is successfully closing the image gap with Apple thanks to competitive pricing and stabling distribution channels. Some impressive features and sleek smartphone designs on have also made the Korean firm’s mobile devices popular choices.This led Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak to praise Samsung and criticize Apple for being “nothing new” during a recent interview with German magazine Wirtschaftswoche.Wozniak said he feels Apple is “somewhat behind with features in the smartphone business.’’ Rather, he praised Samsung by saying it “is a big competitor because they are currently making great products.”Hyundai Securities analyst Bae Sung-young said, “This is very rare for the co-founder to criticize Apple and praise the Korean company. Apple is urged to change its business strategies to prevent it from falling further.”Samsung overtook Apple as the world’s top smartphone maker in the third quarter of 20

Feb 8, 2013By Kim Yoo-chul
Samsung closes 'image' gap with Apple
Tech & Science

Microsoft unveils new application

By Kim Yoo-chulMicrosoft has unveiled a new application for Korea’s state-run rail firm Korail, which can be easily activated on its latest Windows 8 operating system, the company said Thursday.The software will enable users of notebooks and tablets to make reservations and pay for tickets via the “Glory KORAIL” app.“The app is composed of five menus ― ticketing, confirmation, discounted tickets, reservation status and my information. By using the app, you can check information from train schedules to refunds very easily,” said company spokeswoman Lee Seung-yeon.She said Microsoft is releasing customized applications that work on Windows 8 and added the company is trying to entice more corporate clients to use the new software.Since Windows 8 was released 10 weeks ago, the company has sold 60 million copies and some 1,700 mobile devices are using it. The number of downloads form Windows Store, the application market for the software, has reached over 100 million.

Feb 7, 2013By Kim Yoo-chul
Tech & Science

LG Chem top in energy efficiency

By Kim Yoo-chulLG Chem said Thursday that its naphtha cracking center (NCC) facilities were ranked first in energy efficiency in an evaluation by global market researcher Solomon Associates.LG came top among 115 NCC facilities of global firms in the U.S. firm’s recent analysis to find out which facilities are most-advanced in energy efficiency.``The result means LG Chem’s NCC facilities are far advanced and more highly-qualified at a technology level and efficiency in operation,’’ said company spokesman C.S. Song.NCC mainly produces propylene and ethylene, two key raw materials to make plastics and other petrochemical products.The survey showed LG’s NCC facility in the southwestern industrial city of Yeosu consumes 4,100 kilocalories to produce 1 kilogram of ethylene. Song said that level is 40 percent better than its key rivals. ``LG can save some 300 billion won in energy consumption annually on an annual production basis of 1 million tons,’’ the spokesman added.

Feb 7, 2013By Kim Yoo-chul
Tech & Science

Exclusive Intel processors to be used in Genesis

By Kim Yoo-chulHyundai Motor has signed a deal with Intel, the world’s biggest semiconductor producer, to buy more advanced processors for its car infotainment systems, a source said Thursday.The contract demonstrates Intel’s strategy of diversifying its business portfolio amid stalling growth of its traditionally-strong computer chip business.“Under the deal, Intel’s Atom processor, currently being used in Hyundai’s Genesis and Equus sedans produced in China, will also be used for the same models made in Korea. Intel is very interested in boosting its car infotainment business,’’ an Intel official said. The official declined to unveil further details, such as contract terms citing the sensitivity of the issue. Senior spokesman at Intel Korea W.H. Choi also refused to confirm the deal. Hyundai Motor officials also declined to comment.   Other Intel officials said the U.S.-based firm is seeking new cash-generators as its business structure is heavily dependent on the fluctuating PC business.“Because Intel’s processors are

Feb 7, 2013By Kim Yoo-chul
Tech & Science

NHN to attract 300 mil. LINE users

By Kim Yoo-chulNHN aims to attract 300 million users for its chat application Line by the end of this year, according to industry sources.It reached 100 million users last year and said that the new goal sounds implausible but it is within reach given the explosive growth over the past 12 months.“It’s no exaggeration to say that the Line has become a major application on mobile devices, just like Facebook for PCs. Although the target looks quite challenging, we will try hard to write another chapter in the history of our chat application business,” said a senior industry executive by telephone, Tuesday.The chat application was initially made by NHN Japan and launched in June 2011.If NHN makes it to 300 million users this year, it would reach a level only a few social networking service giants have reached before. Only Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Sina Weibo are currently at that level.The executive said NHN has been accelerating its efforts for various promotional campaigns for the service inspired by the steady uprising momentum. So far, Line is available in some

Feb 6, 2013By Kim Yoo-chul
Tech & Science

SKT posts record revenue in Q4

By Kim Yoo-chulSK Telecom, the nation’s top mobile carrier, reported record revenue for 2012 as its drive to entice customers to long-term evolution (LTE) mobile devices strengthened its bottom line.In a regulatory filing to the Korea Exchange (KRX), the company posted 16.30 trillion won in revenue last year, up 2.3 percent from 2011. Its operating profit, however, fell by 23.3 percent to 1.76 trillion won due to heavy spending on LTE. It posted a net profit of 1.11 trillion won, down 29 percent from the year before.``Despite mobile rate cuts and cutthroat competition, we fared well backed by our strengthened leadership in LTE, growth of the firm’s B2B business and strong performance of affiliates including SK Broadband and SK Planet,’’ the company said in a statement, Tuesday.The nation’s three carriers ― KT and LG Uplus are the other two ― are competing for a bigger stake in the growing LTE market. SK Telecom is currently Korea’s biggest LTE operator in terms of subscriber base. As of the end of December 12, it had 7.53 million for the

Feb 5, 2013By Kim Yoo-chul
Tech & Science

LG Chem normalizes US battery plant

By Kim Yoo-chulPark Jin-sooLG Chem CEOLG Chem CEO Park Jin-soo said Tuesday that its car battery making plant in the United States is getting back to normal after a brief suspension of operation.The world’s biggest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries had halted production due to suppressed demand.“We are normalizing our battery plant in Holland, Michigan. The factory is in the process of ramping up production after experiencing some troubles,” Park told reporters at a restaurant in Seoul, Tuesday.The chief executive said foreign media reports about the situation at the U.S. plant were “exaggerated.”“We are training our employees in the United States in preparation for more demand,” he said.The U.S. government provided $150 million for the battery plant. The facility was initially intended to produce batteries for the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.The facility opened in July 2010 with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by U.S. President Barack Obama but has yet to produce a single battery for the Volt, the troubled electric

Feb 5, 2013By Kim Yoo-chul
LG Chem normalizes US battery plant
Tech & Science

Doosan to raise W1 tril. for construction arm

By Kim Yoo-chulDoosan Group said Monday that it will inject a total of 1 trillion won into its troubled construction subsidiary Doosan Engineering and Construction (E&C) through a capital increase and the sale of real estate assets.The group said that under the emergency measure, the construction firm will sell shares worth some 450 billion won and sell some of its core assets to raise 550 billion won. Doosan Heavy’s profitable turbine division will be moved to Doosan E&C as another step to help the group’s construction unit stabilize its financial soundness, the statement read. Doosan Heavy owns 72.74 percent of Doosan E&C. The announcement came after approval for the move from a board meeting.Market analysts say the plan is aimed at easing liquidity problems at the company as it struggles with real estate project financing investment amid ongoing weakness in the local construction market.``Doosan E&C will find new business momentum by running the turbine business. The group won’t see any liquidity-related problems,’’ said group spokesma

Feb 4, 2013By Kim Yoo-chul
Tech & Science

Samsung, LG to end display patent battle

By Kim Yoo-chulCEOs of Samsung Display and LG Display have agreed to end their battle over patents. The truce comes through the mediation of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy.``Samsung and LG reached a broad consensus to end the ongoing legal battle. Working-level discussions aimed at signing a peace treaty will start very soon,’’ said Kim Jae-hong, a ministry official after a three-way meeting.``We will go one step further,’’ said Samsung Display CEO Kim Ki-nam in a separate meeting with reporters.``The general mood for the luncheon meeting was good. After having discussions, we will decide whether or not to pay for using some of Samsung’s in-house patents,’’ said LG CEO Han Sang-beom.Peace between the two would mean that Samsung will sign a cross-licensing deal with LG over several key display-making patents. If this happens, it will be the first time that the rivals will use each other’s patents for strategic reasons. The latest move to seek a compromise comes after Korea’s leadership in the global display-making industry is in

Feb 4, 2013By Kim Yoo-chul
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