The months-long legal dispute between two South Korean electric vehicle battery makers over alleged poaching of employees with trade secrets is unfolding as an intellectual property battle with LG Chem preparing to file a countersuit against SK Innovation in the United States, according to industry sources Tuesday. LG Chem is currently mulling a lawsuit against its rival accusing it of infringing its patents related to EV batteries. This follows SK Innovation’s recent patent lawsuit agains

Technology Sept. 10, 2019

Samsung SDI said it showcased a slew of innovative battery solutions at the International Motor Show that kicked off in Frankfurt on Tuesday. The battery affiliate of Samsung exhibited its core materials for high-nickel batteries and silicon-based anodes. It also introduced a battery cell, module and pack for electric vehicles that enables a driving range of 600 to 700 kilometers on a single charge.  Samsung held the exhibition under the theme of “Charged for Auto 2.0,” which ca

Technology Sept. 10, 2019

Samsung Electronics’ limited edition strategy for the Galaxy Fold is turning out to be working effectively by accurately targeting consumers’ penchant for rarity, according to industry sources Monday. After the first batch of the world’s first 7.3-inch foldable device was sold out on Thursday and Friday, there are an increasing number of Koreans who are seeking ways to get the limited phone online. On online communities where people trade second-hand products, there were posts

Technology Sept. 9, 2019

LG Electronics said Friday it is taking part in the annual design festival in Gwangju by showcasing two of its latest robots. The company will showcase LG CLOi CareBot and GestureBot at a pop-up booth at the Gwangju Biennale festival that will kick off Saturday for a two-day run. The CLOi CareBot is built to exchange emotions with users. For example, it can change its eyes, body postures and voice tone in accordance with the users’ hand gestures.  The CLOi GestureBot teaches users sig

Technology Sept. 6, 2019

Samsung Electronics said Friday the first batch of Galaxy Fold, the world’s first foldable smartphone, was sold out as soon as it hit the market here.While did not disclose the number of phones it sold on the first day, industry sources estimate that the first round of preorders could be around 1,000, all through the country’s three mobile carriers.The figure doesn’t include the number of devices purchased on Samsung’s online and offline shops.  Some early adopters w

Technology Sept. 6, 2019

At first look, the unfolded 7.3-inch display of Samsung Galaxy Fold -- which was finally unveiled at a media event held in Seoul on Thursday -- looks neither like a smartphone nor a tablet PC. Samsung Electronics offered tech reporters here a chance to test the redesigned Galaxy Fold after working on defects found in April. The tech giant’s first and the world’s first commercial foldable smartphone will be officially launched Friday. Feeling unsure about how to identify the

Technology Sept. 5, 2019

South Korea’s No.1 mobile carrier SK Telecom said Wednesday it has joined hands with global IT software giant Microsoft to build a cloud gaming platform supported by the 5G network.Starting next month, a pilot version of Project xCloud will be available for LTE and 5G subscribers of SKT. Users can experience various games stored in the cloud without downloading them to their devices. At the core of the latest partnership lies the Xbox game console technology of Microsoft, according to SKT.

Technology Sept. 4, 2019

Samsung Electronics has added a 5G modem-integrated chip edition to its mobile processor lineup Exynos, with the aim of popularizing 5G mobile devices, the tech giant announced Wednesday. Dubbed “Exynos 980,” it is the first artificial intelligence mobile processor with an integrated 5G modem in a single chip. The newest chip is being provided for customers this month and is scheduled to be mass-produced within the year.  Compared to previous chips that are separated from commun

Technology Sept. 4, 2019

Samsung Electronics said Wednesday it has opened an “experience center” at King’s Cross in London, UK, with the aim of offering a new space where customers can check its future technologies. The South Korean tech giant has built the Samsung KX center in an area measuring 1,858 square meters on the top floor of the Coal Drops Yard shopping complex, where visitors can attend various cultural events and workshops organized by local educational institutions and experience the lates

Technology Sept. 4, 2019

Samsung Electronics is making last-minute efforts to release the world’s first foldable display smartphone this week, according to industry sources Tuesday. It is highly likely that the South Korean tech giant will roll out an initial volume of between 20,000 and 30,000 units of the Galaxy Fold in the Korean market this Friday. The timing seems to be in line with the company’s plan to publicly exhibit hands-on versions of the foldable gadget for the first time at IFA 2019, the larges

Technology Sept. 3, 2019

LG Chem on Tuesday released its second statement in response to SK Innovation’s announcement to file a countersuit against the company and its affiliate LG Electronics, emphasizing again the nature of the legal dispute lies with “unfair practices.”“The essence of the lawsuit against SK lies in the company’s unfair scouting practices,” LG Chem said. “It’s neither about the national interest nor negative publicity.” In a statement released in r

Technology Sept. 3, 2019

LG Electronics said Monday it will expand sales of its artificial intelligence-powered washers in 30 European countries this year. The South Korean tech giant has applied AI tech to the core component of its washing machines for smarter, more convenient management of clothes. LG said it will launch front-loading washing machines equipped with the firm’s flagship Direct Drive motor in 30 European countries, including the Netherlands, Switzerland and Finland, by the end of the year. The DD m

Technology Sept. 2, 2019

World Semiconductor Trade Statistics has again lowered its global sales forecasts for 2019 and 2020, indicating a longer-than-expected downturn in the chipmaking market, according to the industry on Sunday. In its latest report, WSTS predicted that the global semiconductor industry would post annual sales of $406.5 billion this year, down 13.3 percent from last year. Compared with the previous WSTS report, released in June, the estimates are also lower.  Memory sales are forecast to plunge

Technology Sept. 1, 2019

Samsung Electronics along with 15 other partners have specified global standards to define the key performance attributes of 8K televisions with an aim to expand the ecosystem, the South Korean tech giant said Sunday. The 8K Association, a global nonprofit organization of TV and panel manufacturers, system-on chipmakers and content businesses, has announced the standards and performance specifications. The association has 16 member companies, including Samsung Electronics, AUO, Panasonic, Hisens

Technology Sept. 1, 2019

As South Korea’s top court on Thursday ordered a review of the second ruling on the bribery case involving Lee Jae-yong, Samsung Electronics is again put at risk of losing its de facto leader at a critical time for the tech giant to push forward with new investments in technologies and jobs, amid harsh global trade and market conditions.  　The Supreme Court dismissed the appeals court’s ruling that had cut Samsung heir Lee’s sentence from five years to 2 1/2 years and susp

Industry Aug. 29, 2019