LG, Bang & Olufsen to launch new OLED TVs in 2017

LG Electronics has teamed up with Danish luxury audio and TV maker Bang & Olufsen to develop new organic light-emitting diode TVs, with the first set to be launched next year.The Korean tech giant said Sunday that the strategic partnership will take effect from next year and last for five years. The deal comes at a crucial time for both companies which are struggling to gain traction amid sluggish sales.  LG is making an all-out effort to elevate OLED TV sales. The company has poured resources i

March 20, 2016

[Photo News] LG G5 experience zone

LG G5 EXPERIENCE ZONE -- KT will operate customer experience zones for LG Electronics’ latest flagship smartphone G5 at its retail stores nationwide from Monday before its official launch later this month. The world’s first modular phone has an accessory slot on the bottom for users to swap different modules for better camera and sound functions. (LG Electronics)

March 20, 2016

GCCEI attracts global leaders and high-ranking officials

Chinese Premier Li Kequiang (center) visits the GCCEI in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province, in November. (Yonhap)“Wait a minute. I have a question. What is in it for the big companies? What do they get from this collaboration? Do they participate in this for CSR (corporate social responsibility)?” The session was not meant to be a debate, and yet it happened to become one in a very spontaneous manner. A minister of a country said he would stay in our center for 40 minutes, but he stayed for 1 hour and 4

March 17, 2016

LG bets big on G5, Friends smart products

LG Electronics has been making all-out marketing efforts for its upcoming marquee smartphone G5 and a smart device lineup, dubbed Friends, ahead of their official release in the coming days.After having suffered lackluster sales of the G4 smartphone last year, LG took a bold move by introducing its first modular smartphone G5 and a group of smart devices -- including a 360-degree camera, a virtual reality headset, a ball-shape home monitoring robot, and a toy drone -- which can be controlled by

March 17, 2016

Samsung still skeptical about OLED TV

Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest TV maker, appears to be skeptical about producing its own version of organic light-emitting diode display TVs largely due to the nascent market. Its sister firm Samsung Display CEO Park Dong-gun on Wednesday reaffirmed that the company was working on larger OLED but had no immediate plans to produce the panels.  Samsung’s latest SUHD TV with a quantum dot display“We do not think larger OLED has enough potential although it is attracting a lot of attention

March 17, 2016

LGD to invest in new production line for OLED lights

Korea’s leading display manufacturer LG Display said Thursday that it would invest in building a new production line for organic light-emitting diodes for lighting products. LG Group’s display business arm said the new production line for its fifth-generation OLED panel, a square sheet measuring 100 cm by 120 cm, will boast production capacity that is 30 times higher than an existing line for OLED panels that are 100 cm by 100 cm.  LG Display’s OLED lightsThe new OLED facility, to be built in Gu

March 17, 2016

Samsung Galaxy S7 preorders exceed 10m in China

Preorders for Samsung Electronics’ latest flagship smartphone Galaxy S7 and its Edge variant have exceeded the 10 million mark in China over the past week, SamMobile, an online website specializing in Samsung news, said Thursday. According to SamMobile China, the figure is expected to reach some 15 million on Friday when the week-long preorder period ends.  Samsung Galaxy S7 (Yonhap)Samsung started receiving preorders for its latest phones from March 11 through eight retailers in China. JD.com,

March 17, 2016

[Photo News] SKT releases standalone smartwatch

SKT RELEASES STANDALONE SMARTWATCH -- Mobile carrier SK Telecom released a budget standalone smartwatch, dubbed Luna Watch, featuring 1 gigabyte of RAM, a 1.6-inch (4-centimeter) display and a 350mAh battery in Seoul on Thursday. The smartwatch, priced at 198,000 won ($169), is the latest product of the firm’s Luna brand, which includes budget smartphones. (SKT)

March 17, 2016

[Photo News] Samsung Gear in style

SAMSUNG GEAR IN STYLE -- Samsung Electronics unveiled a limited edition of the Gear S2 smartwatch at the ongoing Baselworld watch and jewelry trade show in Switzerland on Wednesday. The limited smartwatch model, a collaborative work with luxury jewelry brand de GRISOGONO, is decorated with more than 100 black and white diamonds on the side rim of its screen and features a high-end leather strap. (Samsung)

March 17, 2016

[Photo News] Samsung Gear S2 by de Grisogono

SAMSUNG GEAR S2 BY DE GRISOGONO – Samsung Electronics on Wednesday unveiled the Galaxy Gear S2 by de Grisogono, a limited-edition timepiece in collaboration with Swiss luxury jeweler de Grisogno, at the Baselworld fair. The smartwatch comes with de Grisogno’s signature bold leather band, while its face is covered with more than 100 black and white diamonds. (Samsung Electronics)

March 17, 2016

IBM’s Watson chief: No need to fear AIs

Google has sparked a great deal of interest in artificial intelligence in Korea, with the recent match between Go master Lee Se-dol and AI program AlphaGo ending with a final score of 4-1 in favor of the software.Some critics have called the five-game match a mere marketing gimmick, but whatever it may be, the California-based Internet firm has drawn the public’s attention toward AI.  Robert H. High, the chief technology officer of IBM, speaks about cognitive computing at a conference in Seoul o

March 16, 2016

[Photo News] LG releases new OLED TV

LG RELEASES NEW OLED TV -- LG Electronics said Wednesday that it has released new organic light-emitting diode TV products -- a 55-inch curved-display ultra OLED TV, dubbed C6, and 55-inch flat screen ultra OLED TVs, B6 and E6. (LGE)

March 16, 2016

Foxconn delays Sharp deal to get results clarity

Sharp shares fell in Tokyo as Foxconn Technology Group is said to delay finalizing a takeover agreement amid questions over the Japanese electronics maker’s performance in the current quarter.Foxconn, which agreed to pay more than 600 billion yen ($5.3 billion) for control of Sharp, has asked the Osaka-based company and its auditor for the latest financial results, said people with knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be identified because the matter is private. Sharp dropped as much as 11

March 16, 2016

Sony’s Playstation VR headset to arrive in October for $399

Sony said its virtual reality headset, the Playstation VR, will go on sale in October for $399 -- significantly less than the $600 Oculus Rift or the $800 Vive made by HTC and Valve. The lower price further cements a prediction already held by game developers and analysts: While Sony’s rivals have inspired greater excitement, more people will actually buy the Playstation headset, at least in the short term. Sony’s Playstation VR headsetWith the full details of all the major VR headsets now publi

March 16, 2016

[Photo News] Play it cool

PLAY IT COOL – Samsung Electronics participates in Mostra Convegno Expocomfort 2016, an international exhibition in the heating and air-conditioning sectors that kicked off in Milan, Italy, Tuesday. (Samsung Electronics)

March 16, 2016

LG CNS to build bus management system in Malaysia

LG CNS, an information technology solutions unit of LG Group, said Wednesday it has won a new deal in Malaysia to build a bus management system in Penang, the country’s third largest city. The 20 billion won ($16 million) project aims to incorporate the company’s own fleet management and auto fare collection solutions into some 400 buses that will start operating in August 2017. LG CNS has been expanding its presence in Malaysia with its smart transportation solutions. The company has participat

March 16, 2016

AlphaGo wins match against Go champ Lee Se-dol 4-1

Go-playing artificial intelligence program AlphaGo won a historic match against Korean Go grandmaster Lee Se-dol with a final score of 4-1.　Although Lee put up a good fight, he resigned after 280 moves in the final showdown, which lasted around five hours -- the longest in the five-game match.    “It is regrettable that I could not wrap up the match by winning the final round.” said Lee, attending a press conference after the final game at Four Seasons Hotel in Gwanghwamun

March 15, 2016

KT receives W10b funding for video coding tech

Korea’s No. 2 telecom carrier KT said Tuesday that KDB Infra IP Capital Fund, an investment arm of KDB Financial Group, has decided to invest 10 billion won ($8.4 million) into its video coding technology patent. KT has been trying to obtain patents for telecommunications and next-generation media technologies in recent years. The latest funding will be made for the company’s highly efficient video coding technology, called H.265, which is used for data transmission for IPTV and mobile services.

March 15, 2016

Samsung loses more market share in China

Chinese handset makers are fast gobbling up Samsung Electronics’ market share on their home turf.According to market research firm Counterpoint Technology Research, Samsung’s market share in the all-important Chinese smartphone market was 7.7 percent last year, down from 12.8 percent a year ago. Galaxy S7 EdgeThe previously No. 2 player in the market barely secured the sixth position. During the same period, Chinese companies have greatly increased their presence. Xiaomi topped the list with 14.

March 15, 2016

Samsung named best employer in Latin America

Samsung Electronics said Tuesday it has been named the best employer in Latin America by Top Employers Institute, a global HR certification agency based in the Netherlands. Samsung Electronics Brazil has won the award every year since it received the honor for the first time in 2014.Last year, four branches in Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Colombia were named the best employer. This year, two more branches in Panama and Mexico joined to win the industry’s top honor.Top Employers Institute picks “

March 15, 2016