The Korea Herald

Samsung to focus on handset price competitiveness next year

South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co. said Tuesday it plans to focus on beefing up price competitiveness of its handsets next year, apparently as its foothold in the global market has been challenged by new players from China.In an investors' relations meeting held in the United States, Samsung said it plans to work to bolster its price competitiveness and also reduce its number of smartphone models.Samsung Electronics took up 24.7 percent of the global smartphone market in the third quarter, pl

Nov. 18, 2014

‘Low R&D productivity to plague Korea’s growth’

Korea’s productivity from state-funded research and development projects is the lowest among advanced economies, despite high investment and budget allocation, according to data from the National Assembly and the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning.Researchers and scientists say this is because the country does not have a sound platform or infrastructure enabling transfer of technology developed through state-run R&D programs to the private sector. The low rate of technology transfer le

Nov. 17, 2014

Samsung hires more tech, science talent

Most of Samsung Group’s second-half recruits this year are science and engineering majors, reflecting the company’s push for software development, according to industry sources. Samsung Group’s affiliates have been announcing from last week the results of the recruitment for the second half of the year, which began in September.Among some 4,500 new hires at the 25 Samsung affiliates who went through weeks of tests and assessments to get into South Korea’s largest conglomerate, most were science

Nov. 17, 2014

Korean firms’ share of global DRAM market nears 70% in Q3

Samsung Electronics, the world’s top memory chipmaker, and smaller local rival SK hynix saw their combined share of the global dynamic random access memory (DRAM) market reach an all-time high of 69.7 percent in the third quarter, industry data showed Sunday.According to the data compiled by market researcher DRAMeXchange, the third-quarter market share of Samsung and SK hynix was up 1.7 percentage points from the previous quarter. It was also slightly up from the previous record of 69.6 percent

Nov. 16, 2014

[Weekender] Multitasking: No more than a mirage?

To members of modern society, swamped with chores and bombarded with distractions, the ability to do multiple tasks simultaneously has been touted as an essential skill. But recent research has challenged the idea of multitasking, even going so far as to claim that it is a myth.A popular theory, touted in the majority of these studies, is that a person’s brain has a limited capacity for attention, and can only focus on one task at a time to operate effectively. When people engage in what they be

Nov. 14, 2014

[Weekender] Multitasking: No more than a mirage?

[Weekender] Brain needs time to ‘space out’

Overuse of digital devices could hamper proper development of the brain and character, according to Sungkyunkwan University professor of psychiatry Shin Dong-won. The brain needs time to “space out” to digest information, Shin said, but the constant inflow of information through digital devices could prevent the brain from carrying out this essential task. “The brain works by alternating between concentrating and taking a break, and concentrating means focusing on outside stimuli. For 30 to 50 p

Nov. 14, 2014

[Weekender] Brain needs time to ‘space out’

[Weekender] Visual thinking pioneer stresses the power of drawing

On Eun-ju, CEO of Social Frog, a South Korean start-up, was quick to name names that could help explain her specialty: Einstein, Da Vinci, Picasso and Jobs. She told The Korea Herald that she grouped these figures together because they represent the power of drawing. Though how much drawing played a part is arguable, it is widely thought that Einstein used visualization to come up with his theory of relativity. The same is true of Leonardo Da Vinci, an artistic genius who was also an expert engi

Nov. 14, 2014

[Weekender] Visual thinking pioneer stresses the power of drawing

[Weekender] The perks of using efficiency-boosting mobile apps

While it has become common to see people walking around with their eyes pinned on their smartphone screens, experts have been warning that spending 24/7 with such digital devices can be either a boon or a bane.But according to some IT industry watchers, smartphone or desktop apps can be efficient tools for time management and keeping things in order.Although the best way to exercise self-restraint and maximize one’s ability to focus may be to put down one’s devices, a number of apps have proven

Nov. 14, 2014

[Weekender] The perks of using efficiency-boosting mobile apps

Samsung SDS makes hot stock debut

Samsung SDS, an information technology services provider, made a splash in its debut on the Korean bourse Friday with its market value becoming the sixth largest in the domestic market. The stock closed at 327,500 won ($298), bringing the market capitalization of the Samsung Group affiliate to 25.3 trillion won ($23 billion). The figure is slightly lower than that of the nation’s leading steel manufacturer POSCO at 25.6 trillion won. The head office of Samsung SDSAttending the IPO ceremony at th

Nov. 14, 2014

Samsung SDS shares nearly double IPO price on market opening

Shares of Samsung SDS, an IT services unit of South Korea's top conglomerate Samsung Group, nearly doubled in price as it debuted on the Seoul bourse on Friday, reflecting expectations over the company's role in the group's forthcoming business reshuffle. Samsung SDS was changing hands at 367,000 won ($333.30), far above the initial offering price of 190,000 won, in the first 15 minutes of trading, but slightly lower than the closing price in the over-the-counter market of 389,500 won on Thur

Nov. 14, 2014

Samsung, BlackBerry seek partnership in security solutions

Canada-based smartphone maker BlackBerry Ltd. said Friday it plans to join forces with South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co. to roll out a new security solution for mobile devices, set to be released in the first half of 2015. Under the plan, the two players will combine the BlackBerry Enterprise Server 12 mobility management solution with Samsung Electronics' KNOX security system, and aim to provide "end-to-end security for Android." "Early next year, enterprise customers will have a new ch

Nov. 14, 2014

Stroke prevention and emergency management

Cerebrovascular disease and stroke (the most well-known type of cerebrovascular disease) is one of the main causes of death in Korea. Its incidence increases with sudden cold weather and in the winter. The incidence of stroke is increasing in Korea, whereas that of Western countries and Japan is decreasing significantly. The reason for this is that Koreans have many risk factors for stroke that are often left unaddressed.Risk factors To decrease the risk of stroke, prevention is more important t

Nov. 13, 2014

Stroke prevention and emergency management

Gene study boosts interest in heart drug

Scientists have discovered gene mutations that give people naturally lower cholesterol levels and cut their risk of heart disease in half.That discovery may have a big implication: A blockbuster drug that mimics these mutations has long been sold without evidence that it cuts the chance of heart disease. Results of a large study that looked for that evidence will be revealed on Monday.The drug is Merck & Co.’s Zetia, also sold in combination with another medicine as Vytorin.When Zetia was design

Nov. 13, 2014

Gene study boosts interest in heart drug

Microsoft Korea presents futuristic model for offices

Celebrating the anniversary of its move to a new head office in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, on Thursday, Microsoft Korea introduced a range of positive changes achieved through its initiative to put mobile and cloud technology first at the workplace.The company said this would become the new norm for other companies in the future. The Korean branch of the software giant announced last year that it would transform its new Seoul headquarters into a ‘Freestyle Workplace,’ aimed at enhancing product

Nov. 13, 2014

Microsoft Korea presents futuristic model for offices

SK Planet wins PR award for Flitter program

Mobile platform developer SK Planet’s Flitter, a public relations program consisting of college and university students, won first prize at the KPRA Award 2014 on Thursday. The award event was organized by the Korean PR Association, a leading organization committed to promoting the local PR market. Launched in 2013, Flitter has been serving as an important marketing outlet for SK Planet, helping the firm to better communicate with consumers. The team of college and university students participat

Nov. 13, 2014

Samsung Gear VR to hit U.S. market next month

Samsung Gear VRTop handset maker Samsung Electronics said Thursday it plans to roll out its first virtual reality headset in the U.S. market in December, gradually expanding into other countries.The device, first showcased in August, provides 360 degree rotating view, creating a lifelike experience for users. It is currently linked to the Galaxy Note 4 through a micro-USB. “Not only will Gear VR provide a vivid entertainment experience for users, it can also be applied to automobile or aircraft

Nov. 13, 2014

Samsung Gear VR to hit U.S. market next month

Hyundai Elevator develops remote control system to summon lifts via smartphones

Hyundai Elevator Co., South Korea's No. 1 moving solutions provider, said Thursday it has developed a wireless control system that permits ordinary people to summon lifts using their smartphones.The Hyundai Real Time Service (HRTS) 2.0 system aims to enhance the convenience of people living and working in high-rise buildings, who have to wait for some time to get a ride. The system, which can easily be used by downloading a dedicated app, can also reduce construction costs and allow real-time mo

Nov. 13, 2014

Samsung Gear VR to reach U.S. market next month

Top handset maker Samsung Electronics Co. said Thursday it plans to roll out its first virtual reality headset in the U.S. market in December, gradually expanding into other countries.The device, first showcased in August, provides 360 degree rotating view, creating a life-like experience for users. It is currently linked to the Galaxy Note 4 through a micro-USB. "Not only will Gear VR provide a vivid entertainment experience for users, it can also be applied to automobile or aircraft simulation

Nov. 13, 2014

Samsung to supply AMOLED display to Russia's Yota

Samsung Display Co. will supply its active mode organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display panels to Russia-based smartphone maker Yota Devices, industry sources said Thursday, in a bid to find new sources of business to fill in the sales fall to its key buyer Samsung Electronics.According to the sources, the YotaPhone 2, set to be released next month in Russia, will be equipped with the Samsung AMOLED display panel. The YotaPhone lineup has the industry's first dual-screen design, equipped w

Nov. 13, 2014

Innovation forum talks sustainable growth

DAEJEON ― The Daejeon Global Innovation Forum, a global conference for innovation, kicked off Wednesday in Daejeon. The two-day global conference is expected to serve as a venue for 1,000 scholars, government officials and company executives to discuss innovation in the technology and science fields, and sustainable economic growth. “The forum will present practical solutions for a range of issues in pursuing innovation from how to establish better government policies through collaboration and c

Nov. 12, 2014

Innovation forum talks sustainable growth