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Samsung reportedly working on a SIM-equipped watchphone
The Gear 2 isn't even out, but we're already seeing rumors about something else that's lurking in Samsung's R&D labs. The Korea Herald is reporting that the company is working on a SIM-enabled watchphone that'll make calls without the aid of a smartphone, just like LG's old Watch Phone and Samsung's own SPH-WP10. Of course, if a model does exist, it's likely to be an exclusive for Korean network SK Telecom in the same way that local users get first dibs on Samsung's Exynos-powered Galaxy phones. Considering the power needs of such hardware, however, it's likely going to gain a few pounds like the hefty Neptune Pine and chunky XS-3, so maybe we're better off waiting for version two... or three.
Korea Times quotes Mercedes Lackey calling City of Heroes closure 'unethical'
NCsoft's recent closure of City of Heroes didn't win the company any fans in the US market, but it looks like the effects are being felt even over in the company's home of Korea. A new article in the Korea Times quotes fantasy author Mercedes Lackey regarding the game's shutdown. Her words on the matter were unambiguous: "I think canceling a game that is making a profit, along with destroying jobs and an online community, is entirely unethical." The article covers several of the pieces of confusion regarding NCsoft's management of the shutdown and the perceived ambiguity about the financial side of the decision. Lackey also emphasizes in her quotes that she and other City of Heroes fans will not stop until they have exhausted every option to resurrect the game. NCsoft is clearly feeling the pinch considering the news of recent layoffs, but it looks as if the company is losing the image war on several fronts as well.
Samsung: "Never tried to cut supply" to Apple
Samsung denied a recent report that it was no longer supplying LCD panels to Apple. The original report in the Korea Times cited senior industry officials and claimed Samsung was severing its relationship with the Cupertino company. A Samsung representative told CNET that this report was 100 percent false and said "Samsung Display has never tried to cut the supply for LCD panels to Apple." Samsung has reportedly asked the Korea Times to revise its story.
Samsung planning Galaxy S IV launch for March 2013?
Galaxy S 4 or Galaxy S IV? Disagreements over the naming convention are likely to rage on now that Samsung's dropped hints that it's planning to replace the Galaxy S III in the spring of next year. A company official reportedly told Korea Times that "the new device is expected to hit shelves globally in March at the latest" following an initial announcement at MWC in February -- and while it would retain the "inspired by nature" design language of its predecessor, the screen might get a bump from 4.8 to 5-inches. It may seem odd for a company to talk up its next product so soon after the last one, but perhaps it's a deliberate marketing move in light of a certain new contender.
Report: HP's South Korean offices raided over alleged price fixing
Korea Times is a publication that isn't shy of the odd bold statement and today it's claiming that HP's South Korean offices were raided on suspicion of price-fixing deals made with IBM and Oracle. The country's Fair Trade Commission seized documents, computer records and questioned employees over alleged price-rigging on public-sector contracts. A company spokesperson said that the visit was routine, while FTC officers refused to comment about ongoing matters, but what is clear is that if any wrong-doing is found, the case will be turned over to prosecutors with the aim of commencing criminal proceedings for those responsible.
Samsung official claims Apple's releasing a 7.85-inch iPad
Just six days have elapsed since the unveiling of Apple's third-generation iPad, and the rumor mill is already wildly speculating about what's in store for the next one. Korea Times has quoted an unnamed (yeah) Samsung official who has said that we can expect a 7.85-inch version of the tablet to arrive by the end of the year. As usual, it's fair to point out that the company is famous for producing a wide variety of prototypes, so we won't be delaying that pre-order. On firmer ground, they mentioned that as a key component supplier to the iPad, the Korean giant will earn around $10 billion manufacturing Cupertino's NAND flash chips, displays, mobile DRAM and processors -- so no matter who wins the tablet wars, the manufacturing conglomerate will probably do quite well.
Worlds.com vs NCsoft: Not yet served?
Just to update you all on the progress of the Worlds.com vs NCsoft lawsuit (a patent suit that is pitched to spread to other MMOG and virtual environment developers/operators), the Korea Times reports on 31 December 2008, that NCsoft had yet to be served with notice of the suit. There are essentially only two ways in which the notice can be legally served to NCsoft in the Republic of Korea to establish jurisdiction over NCsoft as a defendant. One is through formal diplomatic channels, and the other is via the Hague Service Convention. The HSC was established because of the enormous delays in using the formal diplomatic channels. There's a time-limit on the serving of notice, and formal diplomatic channels for civil suits often take quite a bit longer.
Korea Times: Starcraft 2 'expected' this year, LOTRO coming to Korea
When using the words "Korea" and "StarCraft" in the same sentence, it's no time to make jokes. So, when The Korea Times says Starcraft II is "expected to begin service this year," we wonder if it knows something the rest of us don't. The idea of StarCraft II coming out this year is possible, but Blizzard hasn't given the slightest indication for us to assume such a thing. We're glad The Korea Times thinks Starcraft II is on its way (and we hope its right!), but if there's anything we've learned its that Blizzard uses BlizzCon or its World Wide Invitational later in the year for big announcements.The Korea Times' actual story isn't about a Starcraft II release, but about foreign titles cutting into the "long-run popularity of locally made games." The piece says Lord of the Rings Online plans to start in Korea this year and games like World of Warcraft and Hellgate:London are already incredibly popular. It's interesting to note -- although completely logical given the way StarCraft is played in Korea -- that The Korea Times treats Starcraft II as more of an MMO than a single-player game with multiplayer component.[Thanks Akela]
