By Kim Yoo-chul
Korea Times Correspondent
LAS VEGAS ― Yahoo Inc. will bolster its partnership with Samsung Electronics for Internet and television business, the founder of the company said Friday.
``Yahoo took a meaningful first step toward Internet-enabled TVs. But the key things are how we can take proper software and offer more tailored services,’’ Jerry Yang, the co-founder and former CEO of Yahoo, said in an exclusive interview with The Korea Times. The interview was made on the sidelines of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) under way at Las Vegas Convention Center.
``As TV technologies are available, Yahoo is interested in expanding open-source services with TV manufacturers. Samsung Electronics is our best partner,’’ the founder said, adding, ``We are committed to solidifying our partnership with Samsung.’’
The comments came a few days after Yahoo unveiled a list of partners for its plan to combine Internet and televisions into one, hoping the fusion business will be more appealing to consumers.
At the show, Yahoo said it has struck deals with companies including Samsung, LG Electronics, Sony and Vizio, which will make high-definition TVs that back Yahoo’s online service.
``Yahoo wants Samsung to introduce more innovative WiFi and Internet-based TVs, as our widget services can make third parties have enhanced visual experiences through Samsung TVs,’’ Yang said.
Samsung plans to sell some two million units of Internet television sets this year, according to its spokesman. The world’s biggest producer of flat-screens plans to sell a total of 26 million TV sets this year.
Yang has recently unveiled a new version of the giant’s popular Yahoo Mail that was rebuilt into a powerful communications hub.
It allows users to access third-party applications that will be tightly integrated with e-mail, and will reorganize in-boxes into a social platform that can, for instance, prioritize messages based on a user’s personal preferences.
That has been widely recognized as an innovation.
Ever since the dawn of the Internet age, technology companies have been seeking the convergence of online and TV segments, but efforts have failed to take off as many consumers shun such products, believing that they are difficult to use.
But at the show, Yahoo has been gaining popularity as leading a TV maker. It is exhibiting TVs equipped with Internet applications that allow more interaction with viewers.
``We are receiving feedback from widget services, which are exciting,’’ Yang said. The widgets will allow viewers to interact more with the programs that they are watching.
Yahoo, which has lagged behind its rival Google in the Web search market, plans to use the technology as means to gain new sales revenue.
On Jan. 5, Samsung and Yahoo struck a partnership over a new range of network high-definition TVs that are to be made available this spring on the back of the Yahoo Widget Engine.
The TVs, which are equipped with a built-in Ethernet port, will be able to access Internet content built on applications using Yahoo’s platforms.
``How can we be more helpful to you? I appreciate Samsung has been taking the lead in the next-generation of the flat-screen TV market,’’ Yang said.