By Kim Yoo-chul
Staff reporter
People will soon be able to rely on mobile technology to get around and see Korea on a customized tour program.
SK Telecom has teamed up with the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) to launch its "smart tour" applications.
By downloading the software programs, SKT smartphone users will get information to devise personal tour plans and be able to upload pictures to several social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
"Such applications will enable phone users to check entrance fees, and research the history and other details of a certain local tourist spot," said Cindy Kang, a spokeswoman for SK Telecom.
"If a user has personal tour plans, the mobile will provide the distance to the destination together with the locations of restaurants in the area," Kang added.
The applications will be downloaded to smartphones but use the Google-powered Android mobile operating platforms included on Samsung's Galaxy S.
Samsung will make its local debut of what it hopes to be an "iPhone killer" tuesday.
The partnership came at a time when SK Telecom is injecting more of its resources to develop customized software applications for Korean consumers.
The phone's success depends on the amount of software applications because smartphone users want various advanced functions on the single device as well as making calls and texting.
KTO said the alliance will help it draw more tourists to hidden spots, adding the government agency will further strengthen tie-ups with other mobile carriers such as KT.