The Korea Times

Second vendor benefits iPhone users

By Kim Yoo-chul Apple's iPhone is selling well but, as with any good business, it comes with a headache. With SK Telecom now the second vendor of the iPhone, that headache, at least from the standpoint of consumers, is easing. They are the winners. "Customers are gaining a greater edge irrespective of whether or not to change and renew their contracts with SK Telecom and KT are selling the same products. After-sales policy might be the top concern," said a senior SK executive, asking not to be identified. "Carriers used to have all the bargaining power. For them, consumers were out of focus. But Apple has changed everything. Carriers are uneasy but they have no option but to spend more for customer satisfaction," added the executive. South Korea, dominated by Samsung and LG Electronics, has been regarded as a tomb for foreign handset makers as they found difficulties in spending a lot on marketing and strengthening after-sales policies for just the Korean market. "That's the story of the so-called 'feature phone period.' Amid the smartphone era, more people are

Apr 18, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

Honam eyes large-capacity batteries

By Kim Yoo-chul Honam Petrochemical, the chemical affiliate of Lotte Group, aims to expand its business horizons to the promising rechargeable battery business as part of efforts to attain its long-term growth target. Honam said Sunday that the country's No. 2 ethylene producer has formed a strategic alliance with ZBB Energy of the United States to produce zinc-bromide flow batteries. The ultra-sized batteries could be used in energy storage systems as they capture and store electricity produced by solar panels or wind turbines. Under the agreement, the two outfits will work on sharpening related technologies in the batteries, which they hope will become a major part of Korea’s nationwide smart-grid project. Asia's fourth-largest economy plans to invest $103 billion in eco-friendly technologies including those for smart grids, the sophisticated electricity networks, over the next decades. Honam officials confirmed their goals of making energy storage businesses as one of its future growth engines in line with the government's strong initiative for green energies.

Apr 17, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

Cameron backs passive approach in 3D TVs

By Kim Yoo-chul LAS VEGAS ― James Cameroon, director of the megahit 3D film, Avatar, ended up stepping into the tough battle being waged by two Korean electronics makers over the supremacy of 3D television technology. Unexpectedly, the director, who came to Korea at the invitation of Samsung Electronics on his post-Avatar tour, ended up indirectly taking sides with the weaker party ― LG. Without mentioning the company’s name, Cameron based his view largely on the price of glasses worn when watching 3D content on television. "Instead of having a few hundred dollars a pair of active glasses, making sure they’re all charged up and are they working and are they switched on, there’ll be a bowl of disposables or recyclables," the Avatar director said in an ongoing tech exhibition in Las Vegas. "Cheap glasses that work very well in decoding the image to the left and to the right eyes. If you're having a Super Bowl party, you'll have a bowl on the coffee table, and if the kids sit on a pair of glasses there’s no major scold, just a minor scold." Cameron was quoted as say

Apr 14, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

Content-rich Sony renews brand strategy

By Kim Yoo-chul LOS ANGELES ― Sony Corp. has been lacking vigor but wants to rejuvenate. Its push for a new lease of life is Sony Store, with the first of a worldwide chain having just opened as the first in the Westfield Century City shopping mall. It is similar in concept to the Apple Store, which sells hardware as well as software. The Tokyo-based TV titan’s strong point is a wealth of content. Sony's soul-searching efforts ares well reflected as it dropped "Style," its old name. "This renewed store has similar features of the Apple Store, however, I can say that the opening gives Apple a serious run for its money by providing customers an exciting experience," said one store official, asking not to be identified because he isn't authorized to speak to the media. "I think the realignment will lift Sony more and cut the delay in reacting to the market and possibly rivals. The store in Westfield, which is the first on the planet, will play a key role towards new paths," added the official. In a rare media trip for a dozen Korean reporters, Sony officials

Apr 14, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

Samsung, LG see hurdles in 3D sales in US

By Kim Yoo-chul LOS ANGELES ― Tensions are unexpectedly high between Samsung and LG Electronics in the 3D TV market. Although each has consistently claimed its own technology has been receiving more attention outside the peninsula with the steady release of new variants, their forays don’t appear to have yielded sizable returns, at least in Los Angeles, one of the largest cities in the United States. A lack of customized content, higher TV prices and sluggish demand for 3D platforms amid an uncertain recovery in consumer spending are the key hurdles for the Korean pair. ``I’ve noticed what’s going on between Samsung and LG Electronics for 3D televisions, but this fight is out of focus at least for me since consumers are not ready to pay more to buy the sets,’’ said a 45-year-old technician, who identified himself as Jang. He told The Korea Times that Samsung and LG have increased their brand awareness in some leading U.S. cities, but he thinks it will take more time for them to see profits from 3D TVs. ``The situation has changed. What I mean is that even affluent

Apr 12, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

Count Sony in for 3 dimension TV war

Rich content separates ex-Japanese champ from rest of the field By Kim Yoo-chul LAS VEGAS ― Don’t dismiss Sony Corp. The Japanese multinational is making a comeback through 3D television-related technologies, taking advantage of its competitive edge in content, brand awareness and product variants. Samsung and LG are putting more emphasis on hardware-oriented 3D applications in the nascent but rapidly growing television segment. Sony is not one to be left behind. ``Sony is not just a TV-making company since we have been providing 3D solutions. High-definition (HD) is also popular with consumers,’’ said Masahiro Soga, a senior general manager of Sony’s Consumer, Professional and Devices Group, Monday. In a news conference at a hotel in Las Vegas, the Sony executive said the Tokyo-based consumer electronics giant will expand 3D-embedded product lineups for balanced and sustainable business growth in the next “it’’ market. ``Sony is ideally positioned to take up a big share in many 3D-embedded fields, taking advantage of its rich content. Sony’s massive transiti

Apr 11, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Economy

Hynix back in shape

Kwon in balancing act for debt reduction with growth By Kim Yoo-chul How big a difference can 10 years make? In point is Hynix Semiconductor, which was forced into a creditor-led debt rescheduling 2001. Ten years later, the world’s second largest supplier of computer memory chips has just had its best year and is ready to get leaner and nimbler under the leadership of chief executive officer (CEO) Kwon Oh-chul. Kwon is engaged in a balancing act of a sorts ― reducing debts, while ensuring sustained growth, coming in the context of the creditors-turned shareholders' move to unwind their stake. According to Kwon’s script, the advancement in market share and rebounding demand for technology products will help Hynix to reduce its current 5.9 trillion won debt to a manageable level of 4 trillion won (about $3.68 billion) by the end of 2013. A committee of several creditors-turned shareholders, led by the Korea Finance Corp., the Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) and Woori Bank, has restarted discussions about selling their shares of Hynix. The sale was derailed last

Apr 10, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

LG Chem opens largest battery factory

Annual output set to power 100,000 electric cars By Kim Yoo-chul OCHANG, North Chungcheong Province ― LG Chem has completed the world’s largest electric-car battery plant, which is capable of powering 100,000 vehicles per year. The affiliate of LG Group also said that it will be the world’s No. 1 car battery maker by 2015. ``Japan leads the way in patents and materials but Korea is ahead in lithium-ion batteries. LG Chem is leading the way,’’ said CEO Kim Bahn-suk during a ceremony to mark the completion of the Ochang facility. President Lee Myung-bak, GM Vice Chairman Stephen J. Girsky and LG Group Chairman Koo Bon-moo were among those on hand to celebrate. The LG Chem CEO is playing a leading role in guiding LG Chem’s battery business through strategic alliances with top carmakers. Kim is one of top performers in the LG stable of affiliates under the control of group Chairman Koo Bon-moo. He has played a key role in winning a major deal to provide Volt vehicles of General Motors (GM) with batteries. ``LG Chem is planning to build a second overseas

Apr 6, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Companies

LSIS exhibits in Hanover

By Kim Yoo-chul LSIS has begun to raise its international awareness by unveiling its strategic products at famed international technology exhibition, the Hannover Messe, after it recently changed its English corporate name from LS Industrial Systems to the current one. LSIS, which produces industrial electronic machinery and related systems, has displayed 26 items including ``green business’’ solutions amid governments’ initiatives for the so-called ``green growth,’’ it said in a press release, Wednesday. ``The ongoing Hannover Messe will help us raise our brand recognition to potential European customers,’’ said a company spokesman Kim Bong-kyu, adding LSIS is near to add more European companies as new customers. ``In Europe LSIS plans to put more resources on sharpening our green business solutions,’’ added the spokesman. But he declined to unveil the name of the new clients citing the sensitivity of the issue. LSIS held a global conference for distributors in Europe, Asia and North America during the exhibition, which is the firms’ first under its new English co

Apr 6, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

Africa emerges as new key market for Samsung, LG

Wider range of products to be made available; familiarization efforts to be launched By Kim Yoo-chul The world's second-largest and second most-populous continent after Asia, Africa is the place to be for both Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics. As they target Africa the two companies have been offering consumers there a broader range of home appliances conveniently available at a one-stop store. Although they don’t openly talk about their objectives, sources say Samsung aims to boost its African sales by double digits. ``North America and Europe are still Samsung’s top concerns, but the firm is finding it imperative to pay attention to the African market and increase its market share,’’ a Samsung executive said. In preparation to attain a bigger presence, LG has doubled the number of its affiliates in Africa. Although long ignored by Korea Inc., Africa is now turning into a market that can’t be neglected because of its remarkable growth on top of its wealth of natural resources. Africa is growing at an annual rate of 5 percent. Reflecting this ro

Apr 6, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Kim Yoo-chul

Read more

Second vendor benefits iPhone users

Honam eyes large-capacity batteries

Cameron backs passive approach in 3D TVs

Content-rich Sony renews brand strategy

Samsung, LG see hurdles in 3D sales in US

Count Sony in for 3 dimension TV war

Hynix back in shape

LG Chem opens largest battery factory

LSIS exhibits in Hanover

Africa emerges as new key market for Samsung, LG

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