LG to unveil 'G3 Stylus'
By Bahk Eun-ji LG Electronics said Wednesday that it would unveil its new smartphone, the G3 Stylus, within the third quarter of the year in an effort to retain its bullish position within the industry. The move comes after local brokerages revised up their estimates for the sale of LG smartphones to more than 60 million units this year, citing the steady popularity of LG's latest G3-branded smartphones in key target markets such as the United States and China, said LG officials and market analysts. Recently, the company offered a preview of the product in a lengthy promotional video. An industry source who is familiar with the matter said the launch of the Stylus was not yet official but would happen by the end of the third quarter, with slightly reduced features. "The Stylus will be the pen-pushing model with a screen size of about 5.5 inches," he said. "Overall specifications will be slightly downgraded compared with the G3, with a different battery size and screen resolution." The source, however, fell short of divulging detailed specifications. Simply put, the Stylus is a budget smartphone. Attention is shifting to the question of whether the upcoming new LG mobile will steal the limelight in the already-heated competition for smartphones, as its bitter cross-town rival Samsung Electronics confirmed earlier Korea Times reports that the Galaxy Note 4 phablet would be released Sep. 3 in Berlin, Beijing and New York. The Galaxy Note 4 is also a pen-pushing model with a 5.7-inch screen and more high-end features, such as water resistance and a fingerprint scanner to unlock the device. |
CONTACT US
Saturday, August 30, 2014
LG to unveil 'G3 Stylus'
LG, Samsung unpack new smartwatches
LG, Samsung unpack new smartwatches
By Bahk Eun-ji
The G Watch R will make its debut at the IFA consumer electronics conference in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 5. "The G Watch R is more focused on design, with a classic circular display. We hope LG can take a leading role in the wearable market with the innovative premium design," said Park Jong-seok, president of the mobile communications division at LG Electronics. The watch faces fierce competition with other smartwatches, as Samsung Electronics also unveiled the Gear S on the same day. Motorola's circular designed smartwatch, the Moto 360, will reportedly make its debut on Sept. 4. Apple is expected to unveil its iWatch on Sept. 9. LG's G Watch R has an Android Wear operating system, and comes with a 1.3-inch Plastic OLED (P-OLED) full 360-degree display. LG said the watch is the first wearable to which the P-OLED is applied. P-OLED is more suitable for thin display than other materials. The R also comes with an improved battery compared to its former square one. It has a 410mAh battery which lasts about a day and a half on a single charge in "always-on" mode. On top of its impressive circular display, the R may attract consumers who place great importance on the latest fashion and trends. Unlike other existing smartwatches, the R comes with a 22 mm interchangeable leather strap. Gear S Samsung also introduced its sixth wrist-worn device, the Gear S. It has a curved display just like Gear Fit, but the Gear S is more like full-fledged smartwatch, while the Gear Fit is focused on fitness tracker features with a few smartwatch functions. The Gear S runs Tizen OS, so it doesn't pair with other Android OS smartphones. Currently, only the Gear Live runs on Android OS. It has a curved square display with 360x480 resolution, and 3G connectivity. Both Samsung and LG didn't disclose prices. LG plans to sell the R early in the fourth quarter of this year and the price may be higher than the previous model's 269,000 won price tag. |
Apple denied Samsung sales ban
Apple denied Samsung sales banA federal U.S. judge denied Apple's request to slap a sales ban on the Galaxy S3 and older smartphones manufactured by Samsung Electronics. A court ruling by Judge Lucy H. Koh from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, said; "Apple has not established that it is entitled to the permanent injunction it seeks. Apple's motion for a permanent injunction is therefore denied." The smartphones in question were those found in May to have violated three of Apple's patents. The filing pointed out that Apple is moving based "only" on the three patents to keep Samsung from making, selling, developing or advertising its products. The U.S. judge said, "Apple has not satisfied its burden of demonstrating irreparable harm and linking that harm to Samsung's exploitation of any of Apple's three infringed patents. Apple has not shown that it suffered any of these alleged harms because Samsung infringed Apple's patents." Samsung said it welcomed the ruling. "We remain committed to providing American consumers with a wide choice of innovative products," the Korean company said. "This decision is great news not only for Samsung but also for Google, the developer of the Android mobile operating system," German-based intellectual property expert Florian Mueller said on its popular FossPatents blog. In this second California case, Apple is essentially suing Samsung as a proxy for Google, said the expert. Mueller expects Koh will "very soon" rule on the parties' other post-trial motions. Samsung is pushing for a further adjustment in its favor, especially for the invalidation of certain asserted patent claims, while Apple would ideally like a retrial because the damages award was disappointing from its point of view, Mueller said. "Apple wanted almost 20 times more money than the jury awarded," Mueller added. The ruling is expected to lay the groundwork for Samsung and Apple to drop their ongoing patent litigation in the United States. The two companies earlier agreed to drop all lawsuits, globally, other than those in the United States after Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong met with Apple CEO Tim Cook at an event with owners and CEOs at major technology companies in the Silicon Valley. "Apple's continued inability to convince U.S. courts that its patents entitle it to drastic remedies has probably increased the likelihood of a near-term settlement of the remaining litigation between them," Mueller said. |
Monday, July 28, 2014
[Graphic News] Korea seen as technology winner
Respondents in India, Vietnam and Turkey were the most favorable toward Asia’s fourth-largest economy, while those in Poland, Germany and Egypt had relatively negative impressions.
The corresponding survey was conducted last October with an aim to devise customized regional diplomatic strategies and thus to step up Seoul’s public diplomacy in line with its growing leverage in the international community.
The list of keywords, apart from technology and Samsung, also included war and Psy or his hit song “Gangnam Style,” the survey showed.
Samsung most popular smartphone brand in emerging markets: survey
South Korea's tech giant Samsung Electronics Co. is the most popular smartphone brand in a handful of emerging markets, a survey showed Monday, outdoing rivals at home and abroad such as Apple Inc. of the United States and local competitor LG Electronics Inc.
In the poll conducted by Credit Suisse Research Institute on 15,873 users from nine emerging countries -- Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Turkey -- around 30 percent responded that given the choice, they would buy a Samsung smartphone.
Saudi Arabia held the highest preference for Samsung-made products at 57 percent, trailed by Turkey, Brazil and China at 46 percent, 42 percent and 38 percent, respectively. India and Russia held comparable figures of 31 percent and 27 percent, while that of Mexico came to 22 percent.
The world's No. 1 smartphone maker, however, posted weak results in South Africa and Indonesia, as such markets are currently dominated by Finnish Nokia Corp. and Canada-based Blackberry Ltd.
Samsung's brand penetration improved in 2013 from a year earlier in the observed markets, the poll said. Brand penetration refers to the portion of people who purchased goods made by a specific brand at least once over a given period.
While Samsung's handset brand penetration improved in most of the surveyed nations, figures also went up for its TV models in five emerging countries. Its computers also earned higher market recognition in China, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Turkey.
LG Electronics Inc. improved its market presence in Mexico, Russia and Turkey for smartphones, while its computers also tapped deeper into Brazil, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. (Yonhap)
In the poll conducted by Credit Suisse Research Institute on 15,873 users from nine emerging countries -- Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Turkey -- around 30 percent responded that given the choice, they would buy a Samsung smartphone.
Saudi Arabia held the highest preference for Samsung-made products at 57 percent, trailed by Turkey, Brazil and China at 46 percent, 42 percent and 38 percent, respectively. India and Russia held comparable figures of 31 percent and 27 percent, while that of Mexico came to 22 percent.
The world's No. 1 smartphone maker, however, posted weak results in South Africa and Indonesia, as such markets are currently dominated by Finnish Nokia Corp. and Canada-based Blackberry Ltd.
Samsung's brand penetration improved in 2013 from a year earlier in the observed markets, the poll said. Brand penetration refers to the portion of people who purchased goods made by a specific brand at least once over a given period.
While Samsung's handset brand penetration improved in most of the surveyed nations, figures also went up for its TV models in five emerging countries. Its computers also earned higher market recognition in China, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Turkey.
LG Electronics Inc. improved its market presence in Mexico, Russia and Turkey for smartphones, while its computers also tapped deeper into Brazil, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. (Yonhap)
Smartphone users expected to hit 2.5 bln in 2015: research
The global number of smartphone users is expected to reach 2.5 billion by the end of 2015, research showed Monday, as more tech players are releasing low-end models to appeal to wider markets.
Around 34.7 percent of the world's 7.2 billion population estimated for 2015 will use smartphones, an industry tracker Strategy Analytics's report showed, which had said the number surpassed the 1-billion mark in 2012.
Industry watchers attributed the rising number to the expansion of low-end smartphones released by global players, which helped them tap deeper into emerging markets, particularly in Asia.
While Strategy Analytics did not release detailed figures, it said the Asia-Pacific region held the most number of smartphone users, while Europe and North America held the highest portion of people holding the high-tech handsets among all mobile phone users.
According to a separate data compiled by Sweden-based Ericsson, the number of the world's smartphone users reached 1.9 billion at
end-2013 and is set to expand to 3.3 billion by the end of 2015, painting a brighter future for the industry.
Despite the rosy outlook for the smartphone industry, however, the world's No. 1 smartphone maker, Samsung Electronics Co., posted a dull estimate for its second-quarter earnings, citing rising challenges in its mobile business.
Analysts said Samsung likely lagged in earnings from the low-end models amid tighter battles with Chinese firms, with the South Korean firm failing to differentiate itself from its rivals.
Samsung's high-end models also suffered, as the combined shipment of the latest Galaxy S5 is estimated at 17 million units over the April-June period, compared with 20 million units for the Galaxy S4 in the three months after its launch.
LG Electronics Inc., Samsung's smaller South Korean rival, however, said last week it has been making significant strides in the global handset market with its G3 model. Its mobile division shipped a record high 14.5 million units of its smartphones in the second quarter, up 20 percent from 2013.
Pantech Co., the country's smallest player, was placed under a debt workout program in March after suffering financial difficulties, and is seeking help from creditors and local mobile carriers, holding a limited leeway to seek its market expansion. (Yonhap)
Around 34.7 percent of the world's 7.2 billion population estimated for 2015 will use smartphones, an industry tracker Strategy Analytics's report showed, which had said the number surpassed the 1-billion mark in 2012.
Industry watchers attributed the rising number to the expansion of low-end smartphones released by global players, which helped them tap deeper into emerging markets, particularly in Asia.
While Strategy Analytics did not release detailed figures, it said the Asia-Pacific region held the most number of smartphone users, while Europe and North America held the highest portion of people holding the high-tech handsets among all mobile phone users.
According to a separate data compiled by Sweden-based Ericsson, the number of the world's smartphone users reached 1.9 billion at
end-2013 and is set to expand to 3.3 billion by the end of 2015, painting a brighter future for the industry.
Despite the rosy outlook for the smartphone industry, however, the world's No. 1 smartphone maker, Samsung Electronics Co., posted a dull estimate for its second-quarter earnings, citing rising challenges in its mobile business.
Analysts said Samsung likely lagged in earnings from the low-end models amid tighter battles with Chinese firms, with the South Korean firm failing to differentiate itself from its rivals.
Samsung's high-end models also suffered, as the combined shipment of the latest Galaxy S5 is estimated at 17 million units over the April-June period, compared with 20 million units for the Galaxy S4 in the three months after its launch.
LG Electronics Inc., Samsung's smaller South Korean rival, however, said last week it has been making significant strides in the global handset market with its G3 model. Its mobile division shipped a record high 14.5 million units of its smartphones in the second quarter, up 20 percent from 2013.
Pantech Co., the country's smallest player, was placed under a debt workout program in March after suffering financial difficulties, and is seeking help from creditors and local mobile carriers, holding a limited leeway to seek its market expansion. (Yonhap)
Friday, July 25, 2014
U.S. Chamber of Commerce chief urges FTA implementation
The head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Thursday called for the faithful implementation of the free trade agreement between South Korea and the United States to improve the global competitiveness of both countries and their business communities.
“The headline numbers for U.S. exports to Korea are less impressive,” said Thomas Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, during an American Chamber of Commerce General Membership Meeting here.
“For Korea to be truly recognized as an FTA leader ― and a good and reliable FTA partner ― it needs to put higher priority and more effort into full implementation of these agreements.”
While admitting that Koreans are buying more U.S. services and a wider range of agricultural products, Donohue noted specific sectors that need more work.
He said in some cases ― mainly in sectors such as autos, rules of origin, financial services, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and digital commerce ― “things are moving too slowly.”
Other sectors in which nontariff barriers are restricting trade, or in which new rules or guidelines are required to meet the requirements of the Korea-U.S. FTA are also showing sluggish improvement, Donohue said.
“Why (is it that) Korean safety tests to evaluate certain automotive components are not used anywhere elsewhere in the world? Why are the methodologies used to determine reimbursement rates for medical devices not used in any other major market?”
Donohue said local business practices should be in line with those of other major economies to help build confidence among U.S. and other foreign investors.
On a positive note, he forecast that Korea would face relatively lower hurdles in joining the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, owing to its existing FTA with the U.S.
“It makes abundant sense for Korea to join the TPP at the appropriate time,” he said. “I’m confident that the American business community and our political leaders would support Korea’s entry into the TPP.”
By Park Han-na (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)
“The headline numbers for U.S. exports to Korea are less impressive,” said Thomas Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, during an American Chamber of Commerce General Membership Meeting here.
“For Korea to be truly recognized as an FTA leader ― and a good and reliable FTA partner ― it needs to put higher priority and more effort into full implementation of these agreements.”
 |
| Thomas Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, speaks during a general membership meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea held in Seoul on Thursday. (AMCHAM) |
While admitting that Koreans are buying more U.S. services and a wider range of agricultural products, Donohue noted specific sectors that need more work.
He said in some cases ― mainly in sectors such as autos, rules of origin, financial services, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and digital commerce ― “things are moving too slowly.”
Other sectors in which nontariff barriers are restricting trade, or in which new rules or guidelines are required to meet the requirements of the Korea-U.S. FTA are also showing sluggish improvement, Donohue said.
“Why (is it that) Korean safety tests to evaluate certain automotive components are not used anywhere elsewhere in the world? Why are the methodologies used to determine reimbursement rates for medical devices not used in any other major market?”
Donohue said local business practices should be in line with those of other major economies to help build confidence among U.S. and other foreign investors.
On a positive note, he forecast that Korea would face relatively lower hurdles in joining the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, owing to its existing FTA with the U.S.
“It makes abundant sense for Korea to join the TPP at the appropriate time,” he said. “I’m confident that the American business community and our political leaders would support Korea’s entry into the TPP.”
By Park Han-na (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)