The Korea Times

Samsung unveils much-anticipated 4G smartphone

By Kim Yoo-chul Samsung Electronics Monday unveiled its much-anticipated smartphone for fourth-generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, claiming it is the world’s fastest handset in terms of data capability. The company hopes that the Galaxy S II LTE, which is powered by the latest version of the Google-backed Android operating system, will prove to be an effective weapon as it looks to challenge Apple’s supremacy in consumer smartphones here and abroad. Meanwhile Samsung is entangled in an ugly legal battle with Apple, which accused the Korean tech giant of copying the look and feel of its immensely popular iPhones and iPads in its own smartphones and touch-screen tablets. Establishing an early lead in 4G mobile-phones would be a start to counter such accusations. In theory, 4G networks based on LTE technology could provide downlink data speeds at a maximum 100 megabits per second, which is about 10 times quicker than the fastest 3G networks. But realistically, the Galaxy S II LTE will allow users to download mobile data at five times faster rates th

Sep 26, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

Design guru to meet Samsung executives

By Kim Yoo-chul Chris Bangle, the former chief of design at BMW, is planning to meet Samsung Electronics’ top decision makers to discuss a partnership details with the group. It is the second time for the world-renowned designer to hold strategic business meetings with high ranking Samsung executives since they sealed contracts in March. ``Bangle will visit Samsung’s headquarters in Seocho-dong, downtown Seoul, on October 4 and discuss expanded tie-ups with Samsung’s top management,’’ said a Samsung official, Friday. The official added Bangle will meet Samsung Electronics chief operating officer (COO) and President Lee Jae-yong, who is also heir-apparent of the nation’s most powerful industrial conglomerate. ``Because this is Bangle’s second visit, the meeting will be more intense and tangible results are expected,’’ he said. A Samsung spokesman confirmed the meeting itself but declined to comment whether or not the American will meet with Lee. Since March this year, Bangle has been designing Samsung’s future laptops and smartphones ― two businesses that have t

Sep 23, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

HTC says it will prevail over Apple

2 smartphone makers entangled in patent suits By Kim Yoo-chul HTC, Asia’s No. 2 smartphone maker, is confident of defeating Apple in an ongoing patent fight, a senior HTC executive said. The Taiwan-based phone maker has sued Apple in a federal court in Delaware, claiming infringements of four of the patents obtained from Google and originally issued to Motorola before it split into Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions. HTC’s hard-line stance against Apple has drawn attention as the Taiwanese handset maker is a member of the so-called ``Google alliance’’ with Samsung Electronics, which is also fighting Apple over patents in Europe and Asia. ``We have no question that HTC will definitely win,’’ said Jack Tong, president of HTC North Asia in a press conference with South Korean reporters at an event to unveil its advanced LTE-based smartphone at a Seoul hotel, Wednesday. ``HTC is waiting for a final ruling from the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) and the ruling will be on our side,’’ the senior company executive said. It is the first time for HTC t

Sep 21, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

LG Hausys renews global focus

By Kim Yoo-chul LG Hausys, an LG Group-affiliate that manufactures quartz and acrylic surfaces, is seeking to find new business momentum in international markets amid stalled local business growth. Profit and revenue are steadily falling as the sales of the company’s main products including floor tiles and sheet products are dependent upon the housing market. Weak consumption and tightening loan conditions mean real estate transactions have maintained sluggish, threatening the firm’s bottom line. ``That’s why LG Hausys is spending cash for the satisfaction of our target customers in international markets. We are increasing our marketing skills to seek international customers,’’ said Lee Dong-joo, a chief of LG’s public relations office, Tuesday. LG Hausys said the firm has opened what it claims is a customized website (www.lginterior.com) to widen its presence in business-to-consumer (B2C) sectors in China. In a statement, the company also added its integrated site (www.lghausys.com) will play a significant role in attracting more international customers. ``By th

Sep 20, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Companies

STX drops bid for Hynix Semiconductor

By Kim Yoo-chul STX Corp., the holding arm of the shipbuilding conglomerate of STX Group, has decided to drop its bid for Hynix Semiconductor. SK Telecom is now the sole bidder for a controlling 20 percent stake in the world’s second-biggest memory chipmaker, which is worth about 3 trillion won. ``Economic uncertainties spiked by the debt-crisis in Europe will continue, and steady investment to help Hynix keep its competitive edge in chip-making technology would have pressed us financially,’’ STX said in a statement, late Monday. STX added strategic talks with a Middle Eastern sovereign wealth fund for the funding needed to acquire Hynix stalled without a breakthrough due to big differences over conditions. At least 2 trillion won is needed just for technology upgrades and maintenance. As of the end of last year, STX had secured 3.5 trillion won in cash-equivalent assets, however, its corporate borrowing reached over 11 trillion won, pushing it to sell key corporate assets and to seek significant funding from a Middle Eastern fund. Creditors-turned-shareholders

Sep 19, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

iPhone takes on new role as mobile wallet

By Kim Yoo-chul The popular iPhone is being transformed into a “mobile wallet” after KT added wireless payments functions to the iPhone 4. On Monday KT, Korea’s No. 2 mobile carrier, said it has released a new iPhone 4 case incorporating near-field communication (NFC) technology, which the company claims is an industry first. It allows iPhone customers to pay for public transportation including the subway by passing the devices over an electronic reader, said a KT spokeswoman Kim Yoon-jeong. ``Other functions called `mobile stamps,’ and `Olleh my wallet’ will be included, to help our iPhone users receive more distinctive services.’’ NFC is regarded as critical technology needed to connect the physical and virtual environments. It offers secure wireless two-way communication between a mobile phone and reception devices such as other mobile phones, payment terminals or identification readers. The iPhone 4 doesn’t support the NFC payment system, so KT formed an alliance with Canada-based Wireless Dynamics for the NFC-enabled case. But Apple is mulling the possibi

Sep 19, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

LG Electronics to restructure storage business

By Kim Yoo-chul LG Electronics plans to transfer its money-losing storage business as part of company-wide initiatives to streamline business operations, a company official said Sunday. The restructuring comes as the company looks to slim down its local mobile division by cutting marketing staff to improve its struggling business. ``LG Electronics is planning to transfer the loss-making digital storage division to Hitachi-LG Data Storage (HL-DS) to improve the profitability of its business,’’ the official said requesting anonymity. The digital storage division, which has been under the direct control of LG Electronics CEO Koo Bon-joon, makes optical devices such as CDs and DVDs. The official said the integration of the business will help LG cut costs and boost sales. An LG Electronics spokesman said the company has been seeking to improve profits amid slowing business growth, adding that some technical matters still remain unresolved. HL-DS is a joint venture between Japan’s Hitachi and LG, the world’s second-biggest television manufacturer. HL-DS started operat

Sep 18, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

Samsung seeks sales ban on Apple’s next iPhone

Tech giant seeks sales ban on Apple's next iPhone as patent fight intensifies By Kim Yoo-chul Samsung Electronics is seeking a complete ban on the sales of the upcoming Apple iPhone 5 in Korea, in apparent retaliation to its U.S. rival’s continual patent suits against it in global markets. Sources closely involved with the thorny issue including Samsung insiders made the comments Sunday as the two technology firms’ patent war is set to spread from Europe to the rest of the world. At least 23 lawsuits are pending between Apple and Samsung in such countries as France, Japan, Germany, Korea and the United States and more are expected in an increasing number of states. ``Just after the arrival of the iPhone 5 here, Samsung plans to take Apple to court here for its violation of Samsung’s wireless technology related patents,’’ said a senior executive from Samsung Electronics, asking not to be identified. ``For as long as Apple does not drop mobile telecommunications functions, it would be impossible for it to sell its i-branded products without using our patents. We wi

Sep 18, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

LG pursues balanced growth initiative in Poland

By Kim Yoo-chul WROCLAW, Poland — While the debate continues in the Korean government concerning the well-being of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), LG is planning to further accelerate its years-long initiatives for balanced growth with Korean SMEs in Poland. “LG Chairman Koo Bon-moo has always emphasized the importance of cooperation and mutual growth between LG and South Korean SMEs that have been supplying key parts here since 2006, ”said Seong Jun-myeon, president of LG Electronics Wroclaw, in a recent interview. “Koo asked us to increase the partnership between LG and parts-suppliers upon his recent visit in May, this year. He also requested enhanced risk-management, more cost-cuts, improved product quality and increased productivity.” Continued healthy partnerships with eight Korean suppliers with LG’s technology support and financial help at the LG Cluster in Poland’s fourth-biggest city since 2006 has helped LG and the SMEs save on tariffs, logistics, boost on-time product delivery systems and strengthen inventory control, said the LG executive.

Sep 13, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

LG considers LCD deal with Sharp

By Kim Yoo-chul LG Electronics, the world’s second-largest maker of flat-screen television, is in advanced talks with Sharp over buying liquid crystal displays (LCDs) from its Japanese rival to use in its large-sized TVs, according to industry sources. LG Electronics has relied on LG Group affiliate LG Display and a number of Taiwanese makers for LCD supplies, but buying parts from Sharp is a new option that the company is considering as it strengthens its efforts to cut costs. LG Electronics believes that buying LCD screens from Sharp could allow it to make cheaper large-sized TVs with 60-inch or bigger screens. ``LG has been in talks with Sharp to use its LCDs for its strategic models. The two companies are still talking over price,’’ a top-ranking LG Electronics official said on condition of anonymity. He said that Sharp has been offering competitive panel prices to LG Electronics, which recently sent executives to the Japanese company’s new 10th generation LCD manufacturing plant. ``It was the first time Sharp opened the highly advanced manufacturing line to

Sep 9, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Kim Yoo-chul

Read more

Samsung unveils much-anticipated 4G smartphone

Design guru to meet Samsung executives

HTC says it will prevail over Apple

LG Hausys renews global focus

STX drops bid for Hynix Semiconductor

iPhone takes on new role as mobile wallet

LG Electronics to restructure storage business

Samsung seeks sales ban on Apple’s next iPhone

LG pursues balanced growth initiative in Poland

LG considers LCD deal with Sharp

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