In a move that appears to indicate that major TV makers are finally accepting the reality that consumers don’t want 3D TVs, Samsung and LG are said to be limiting or eliminating the feature from future TV models. Some may say, ‘What took you so long?’ But the reality is that the industry invested billions of dollars developing the technology and has been slow to eliminate it – saying that there are still some enthusiasts that love 3D content.
Samsung
CES – From Real Biz to Future Biz to Virtual Biz; This is Progress?
CES is back and its bigger than ever. According to the CTA (formerly CEA), the show spans 2.3 million sq.ft. of exhibit space, in which more than 3,600 exhibitors of all sizes and types have set up booths to hawk their wares. The show is expected to draw more than 150,000 attendees and 6,000 member of the press. It is impossible to cover the entire event…it has just gotten too large.
Luckily, with the industry stuck in several well-worn trends, we in the media can focus our attention beyond these usual suspects – automotive tech (autonomous vehicles and related technologies), drones, 4K UHD TV, Internet of Things (IoT), wearables – to new areas (such as Virtual Reality), and iterative updates from current companies.
See our CES overview… [Read more…] about CES – From Real Biz to Future Biz to Virtual Biz; This is Progress?
OLED Adoption Tipping Point: Apple iPhone
Several reports have emerged saying that Apple, Inc. has told suppliers that it is committed to upgrading the displays on its popular iPhone from the current LCD-based touchscreen to an OLED display, starting in 2018. This decision has industry-wide ramifications and has suppliers scrambling to increase the capacity of their OLED factories. There are also competitive ramifications from this decision that is bound to rattle competitors.
Seen more on the dramatic implications of Apple’s decision… [Read more…] about OLED Adoption Tipping Point: Apple iPhone
Samsung Shifts Product Strategy – Targets Drone & IoT Biz
Korean media is reporting that Samsung Electronics has re-prioritized its product development plans – now setting its sights on the Internet-Of-Things (IoT) and drone product categories as its targeted growth categories. The company had also been considering pursuing 3D printing, but has put that initiative on the back-burner as it is believed to have a longer horizon to achieve profitability.
See more on Samsung’s thinking behind these new priorities… [Read more…] about Samsung Shifts Product Strategy – Targets Drone & IoT Biz
LG Relents, Will Reduce Height of New HQ to Preserve Historic Palisades
See more on LG’s decision to finally become a responsible corporate citizen… [Read more…] about LG Relents, Will Reduce Height of New HQ to Preserve Historic Palisades
Hot Time in the City, It’s CE Week Again
New York City in June sees temperatures rise in response to the onset of summer and also, hopefully, in response to the launch of the hottest new technologies being shown at CE Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion and Altman Building exposition spaces in Manhattan. We awaited this year’s edition with great anticipation as it occurs in the wake of a major change in the show’s backers – and is the follow-up to the surprisingly meaningful show last year.
What were the changes, and how did the show go? You’ll have to read on… [Read more…] about Hot Time in the City, It’s CE Week Again
Samsung Display Launches New Transparent & Mirror OLED Displays
See more on Samsung’s new mirror and transparent digital signage displays… [Read more…] about Samsung Display Launches New Transparent & Mirror OLED Displays
Samsung Removes Its Brand Name From Smartphones Sold in Japan
Samsung Electronics has taken the unusual step of selling smartphones in Japan that do not bear the Samsung brand name. We’ve never heard of this before, but if you want a Samsung smartphone in Japan, you have to purchase a “Galaxy” smartphone.
Why has Samsung removed their brand name from smartphones sold in Japan? See more… [Read more…] about Samsung Removes Its Brand Name From Smartphones Sold in Japan
Sony’s Tightened Partnership with Best Buy Credited for Biz Turnaround
Newly Spun-Off TV Division May Show a Profit for 1st Time in 10 Years
In a new report out of Japan, Sony’s TV business is said to be expected to report an operating profit this fiscal year – its first after ten years of losing money. Due to an improved situation in the U.S. market, the report credits the turnaround in Sony’s U.S. results largely as a function of its tightened partnership with retailer Best Buy.
But the report featured the subheading ‘Outlook Remains Unclear’… [Read more…] about Sony’s Tightened Partnership with Best Buy Credited for Biz Turnaround
S. Korea Stakes Claim as World’s #1 TV Supplier
New market data confirms what you probably already suspected, South Korea is the #1 supplier of TV products to the world. Home to both Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, S. Korean media is calling itself the ‘Country of TV.’
