The operator of South Korea’s top mobile messenger KakaoTalk is testing a new solution specifying intra-office communication, according to sources Monday. Kakao has been developing the platform since May and it is likely to be launched in September. The company’s artificial intelligence subsidiary Kakao Enterprise is currently testing the messenger service, and will be distributed to affiliates to carry out additional pilot tests. Kakao co-CEO Yeo Min-soo first hinted at the lau

Samsung Electro-Mechanics, an electronic parts supplier affiliated with Samsung Electronics, has developed five new types of multi-layer ceramic capacitors for automobiles, expanding its automotive MLCC lineup to further penetrate into the global market, the company said Sunday. MLCC is an essential part for electronics, which controls electric currents to flow at stable levels, supply needed amounts of power for chips, and remove noise inside products. The capacitor, known as the tiniest

LG Electronics said Sunday it has developed an electronic mask using its air purifier technology and donated 2,000 units to the Severance Hospital in Seoul. The company utilized its know-how on air purifying machines to develop the electronic mask. The mask has two H13 HEPA filters that are replaceable and a user can inhale air through the filters. Under the filters, there is a tiny fan that can control the amount of air. The fan is applied with an algorithm that raises the fan speed to le

South Korea’s top mobile messenger application KakaoTalk has more users than that of Naver, the nation’s biggest portal, data showed. According to the data from mobile big data platform IGAWORKS, KakaoTalk and Naver recorded 35,590,000 and 30,160,000 monthly active user (MAU), respectively, last month. KakaoTalk exceeded Naver in both monthly average time and days spent on the platforms per single user. People spent a monthly average of 11.7 hours/24.6 days on KakaoTalk, and 10.2

Google's video-sharing platform YouTube will cooperate with South Korea to closely monitor and prevent the spread of fake news and illegal content, South Korea's telecommunications regulator said Friday, citing a Google executive. Google's Senior Vice President Neal Mohan made the comments during a videoconference with Han Sang-hyuk, chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, according to the regulator's statement. The remarks came after Han requested such cooperation, considering fake

ICT Minister Choi Ki-young will meet with the leaders of the nation‘s three major telecommunications firms to discuss details of the current administration‘s New Deal programs and increase cooperation, according to industry sources on Friday. The minister will hold a closed meeting with SK Telecom CEO Park Jung-ho, KT CEO Koo Hyun-mo and LG Uplus Vice Chairman Ha Hyun-hwoi on Wednesday next week, the sources said. ICT Minister Choi is expected to share details of the government&

Samsung Electronics Co., South Korea's leading tech firm, said Thursday it has selected 12 research projects to help the country's efforts to secure future science technologies. Samsung said it will provide 12.35 billion won ($10.3 million) to 12 research projects in six areas. Since 2014, the company has been naming research themes that require more research for South Korea's technological competitive edge. This year, the selected research fields include disruptive semiconductor technologie

Samsung Electronics on Wednesday unveiled an ultraviolet sterilizer with wireless charging for mobile gadgets like smartphones as hygiene awareness is growing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The portable UV sterilizer, manufactured by Samsung C&T, can disinfect smartphones, earbuds and even glasses in 10 minutes, according to the company. It kills up to 99 percent of bacteria and germs, including E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, according to tests done by two independen

LG Electronics has supplied its first autonomous driving-based serve bot for Seoul National University Hospital, announcing the robot’s commercialization Wednesday. The LG CLOi serve bot was installed at the outpatient unit of the hospital on Tuesday, which started carrying devices, treatment kits and other necessities for treating patients through the corridors of the hospital building. It features autonomous driving technology that can detect and avoid obstacles. The serve bot is

South Korea's two major electronics firms on Wednesday released their new soundbar products as they aim to expand their presences in the home audio market. Samsung Electronics Co. announced the global launch of its two new premium soundbars, the HW-Q950T and the HW-Q900T, which completes its full 2020 Q-series soundbar lineup. The new soundbars will be sold in major markets in stages, starting with Australia. In South Korea, both products will be launched next Tuesday, with the HW-Q950T pric

Samsung Electronics will throw its signature Unpacked show for new Galaxy products online for the first time on Aug. 5, according to the company’s invitation sent to global media and partners on Wednesday. The invitation displayed an image of a bronze-colored crown, which might be the signature color for the upcoming Galaxy Note 20 series. The event will be broadcast live on Samsung’s corporate homepage and its newsroom website. The South Korean tech giant is expected to pres

Samsung Electronics Co. on Wednesday said it will launch an ultraviolet (UV) light sterilizer for smartphones to meet a growing need for mobile device sanitization amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Samsung said its new UV sterilizer with wireless charging will be sold in South Korea with a price tag of 49,500 won ($40). The latest device was manufactured by Samsung C&T, a partner of Samsung Mobile Accessory Partnership Program (SMAPP), the tech giant added. Samsung said its portable

LG Electronics on Tuesday announced its preliminary earnings for the second quarter of this year, beating forecasts by market watchers over concerns about sales falls during the COVID-19 outbreak. According to the earnings guidance, LG is expected to have posted 12.8 trillion won ($10.7 billion) in revenue and 493.1 billion won in operating profit for the April-June period. The figures were down 17.9 percent and 24.4 percent, respectively, from a year earlier. The second-quarter operating

The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, a state-funded research body under the ICT Ministry, announced Tuesday that it has rolled out an educational program designed to nurture experts in artificial intelligence. The new educational program has been launched jointly by AWS and Nvidia’s regional offices, which provided assistance to develop the curriculum, according to ETRI. ETRI’s new curriculum includes platforms that allow students to get hands-on training i

Tech giant to see W8.1tr in operating profit despite COVID-19 woes