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Nine people charged with selling Samsung's curved display tech
Prosecutors in South Korea have indicted nine people and two companies for allegedly selling Samsung's curved-edge OLED display tech (which it uses in its flagship Galaxy phones) to a company in China. The CEO of Samsung supplier Toptec Co Ltd was among three people arrested over the scheme. Prosecutors say he and eight employees received about $13.8 million for the intellectual property.
LG's 77-inch curved OLED 4K TV is every bit as expensive as it sounds
How much would you fork out for a 77-inch, curved, 4K, OLED TV? Well, LG hopes you're hovering around a couple of grand per descriptor, having announced it's launching such a gogglebox in the UK for only £20,000. It won't actually be available until October, though, so you still have a few months to fill up the piggy bank. As you'd imagine, the "world's first" curved OLED UHDTV packs a ton of branded technologies that promise a perfect picture, including the necessary upscaling engine that converts lower-res video to "near-4K," as well as LG's webOS smart TV platform. For the thrifty, there's a 65-inch model also launching in October for a mere £6,000, which you should easily be able to scrape together from the change lurking between your sofa cushions.
LG cuts the price of its curved OLED TV to a vaguely reasonable $7,000
The US price of LG's first curved OLED TV dropped from $15,000 to a slightly less stratospheric $10,000 late last year, but that five-digit sticker was still bound to scare away all but the richest buyers. It's a good thing, then, that LG has cut the 55-inch set's price a second time. You can now pick up the curved screen for $7,000 -- or rather, $8,000 plus an instant $1,000 rebate. It's not a great bargain when you can buy a larger 4K display for less, but those who insist on having an exotic-looking TV in the living room will likely appreciate the savings.
Take that Samsung: LG's got a 77-inch OLED UHD TV that bends on command (video)
Samsung's probably kicking back right now, shades on and cocktail in hand, thinking it's pretty cool with its 85-inch HDTV prototype that can transform from flat to curved on a whim. LG, however, isn't at CES to watch Samsung score touchdowns from the sidelines, announcing its own 77-inch OLED set that goes from flat to curved on command. All LG needs now is a press conference, subsequent celebrity meltdown, and the two companies are even. Update: And we just got an exclusive first look. It's (unsurprisingly) gorgeous. LG's calling it the first bendable UHD OLED TV -- now remember, Samsung's wasn't (it looked like LED) and it was a touch larger at 85 inches, but it's a more slender mechanism that does the bending on the LG version. We were told it's a combination of "motors and gears" that makes it work, but we like how it maintains the finer silhouette. It's coming to the US sometime between the second half of this year and the start of 2015. LG's been working on it for over a year and a half: it moves 7.5 cm to bend, making it eight centimeters narrower in total at full curve. You can also choose the degree of curvature -- in fact, LG told us that the tech can bend even further, but wouldn't tell us the limits here. Next up for the company: fully flexible TVs and transparent sets. Set your diaries for CES 2015 and watch the video after the break. Mat Smith contributed to this report.
Samsung's curved smartphone is the Galaxy Round, launches in Korea tomorrow (video)
Samsung's concave phone is very much real, and after being teased in leaks hours earlier, SK Telecom has announced it'll launch the Galaxy Round on its network as soon as tomorrow. The device's highlight is obviously the gently curved 1080p 5.7-inch OLED screen, and Samsung is also promising a melee of software tweaks for the smartphone, aimed at making the most of it. For example, tilting the phone to the side will offer up notifications, battery levels and more at a glance. Other specifications revealed so far include a 7.9mm profile and that it weighs less than the Note 3, at 154g. Curiously, it looks pretty different to the curved-screen prototype smartphone that Samsung displayed at CES earlier this year -- if the Galaxy Round is facing down, there's no way to peek at notifications without flipping it over. The new phone will also pack the necessary LTE radios and a 2,800mAh battery, launching initially in a 'luxury brown' color option for just over 1 million won -- that's around $1,000. We've got the official press shot and a roll notification demo video after the break.
LG's 77-inch Ultra HD curved OLED TV is the biggest, with the most buzzwords (update: eyes-on)
The never ending battle between Korean manufacturers Samsung and LG has moved to its inevitable next level, as LG has introduced an even larger super high-res OLED than its competitor's 55-inch models. The new high water mark is this 77-inch Ultra HD curved OLED it's showing off at IFA 2013, which is a step up in pretty much every way possible and even makes us recall the LCD size wars of the mid '00s. Whether or not we asked for it, it's bringing new display technology, a rare shape and of course, that truly outstanding size. It's only a concept now, but so was the $15,000 55-inch version at one point so we'd suggest keeping your black card handy. Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!
Samsung shows off 98-, 110-inch Ultra HDTVs at IFA 2013, teases 4K OLED
At Samsung's press conference it's bringing some of those extra large Ultra HD TVs it promised at CES, and mentioned something even more tantalizing: a 4K OLED. Unfortunately that last one did not make an appearance on stage (check after the break for a couple of pictures of the 55-incher), however the company has promised it will be present in its booth for demos tomorrow. We expect that, like the ones shown by Sony and Panasonic at CES, this is just a prototype, but if it's anywhere near as beautiful as those we can't wait to see it. As far as products that are actually shipping, Samsung also showed off its 55-inch curved OLED again, as well as the 65-inch F9000 UHD TV. As far as the supersized 4K sets, Samsung is showing off 98-inch and 110-inch models that outsize the 85-inch behemoth it kicked this crazy trend off with back in January. Finally, it's trying to address the issue of high-res content, with representatives from Eutelsat and TF1 present to talk about the projects they have in the works. Update: We stopped by big blue's digs here at IFA to see the sets in action, and they're as impressive as you might think. Even at such a large size, the resolution doesn't appear to degrade when compared to their smaller brethren. Naturally, however, you'll want to stand a few feet away from these behemoths for the optimal viewing experience. Just like the other panels in the line, the TVs produce vibrant colors, strong contrast and crisp visuals. When it comes to overall design, Samsung's kept the S9 series Timeless Gallery frame, complete with speakers all around its stand -- for better or worse. Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!
Samsung's 55-inch curved OLED hits Europe this week for 7,999 euros
We guessed Samsung wouldn't be far behind LG in terms of its curved OLED's European debut, and we were right. Starting this Wednesday, if you're in Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium or Italy you'll be able to bring home a "flawless" screen for a mere €7,999 (around $10,697) -- a full grand less than LG's similarly-sized not-flat display. We've been wondering when we'd see the tech giants sparring again; thanks for not making us wait very long, Samsung.
Samsung's 55-inch Curved OLED TV ships today for a sufferable $9,000 (eyes-on)
Any way you look at it, nine thousand dollars is a heck of a lot to spend on a television. But in the case of Samsung's 55-inch Curved OLED set, it's a fair share less than the $15,000 we heard quoted just last month. Just like LG's equivalent, the Samsung KN55S9C was designed with a curved profile in order to "envelop" viewers -- your viewing experience is improved, in theory, because you're more immersed in the display. The OLED set includes the company's Multi-View feature, which lets two people watch different programming at the same time when using compatible active 3D glasses, and it's compatible with the Evolution Kit Samsung introduced at CES. The 55-inch KN55S9C is on its way to select retailers, and can be yours for the considerable sum of $9,000.%Gallery-195926% Update: The set will be available tomorrow (August 14th) on Samsung.com. Additionally, Consumer Reports has already managed to review the TV, giving the Samsung KN55S9C high marks, despite its sky-high price.
Samsung's curved OLED TV drops price by a third, LG brings cheaper 4K TVs
Korean manufacturers Samsung and LG often match each other in product introductions, but today they were together in announcing cheaper options for some of their latest TV technology. Samsung is dropping the price on its new 55-inch curved OLED (above) and LG rolled out two lower priced versions of its 55- and 65-inch 4K TVs that sacrifice a few premium features. In Samsung's case, the price is dropping by 34 percent, from 15 million won ($13,500) to 9.9 million ($8,910). While we'd heard the KN55S9 will arrive in the US mid-August for $15,000 there hasn't been an official announcement yet, but Value Electronics is promising more details on the 14th. For LG, the new LA9650 (pictured after the break) variant of its 65-inch UHDTV drops to 8.9 million won ($8,010) compared to 10.9 million ($9,810) for the original LA9700, while the 55-inch is 5.9 million won ($5,310) compared to 7.4 million ($6,660). In the US the original models sell for $7,999 and $5,999, respectively, while retailer B&H already has placeholders for the new models with US prices of $6,999 and $4,999. If the listing is accurate, we could see these versions ship in the US around October 23rd. These new models give up a few creature comforts like the bottom-mounted motorized 4.1 speaker and camera, but keep the pixel count along with fixed 2.1 speakers and 16GB of memory for DVR functions. According to the Korea Times, Samsung's price cut came as a result of improved manufacturing yield, and customers that already purchased one will be refunded the difference. Of course, these prices are hardly mass-market or challenging value priced entries from Chinese manufacturers Seiki or TCL, but is remarkable to see OLED technology dropping below $10,000 so quickly.
LG's 55-inch curved OLED TV hits Best Buy for $14,999
Remember that curved OLED HDTV that LG was teasing way back at CES? Well, it's just begun shipping here in the US. A Best Buy store in Richfield, Minnesota is the first retailer to stock the 55-inch set, which is available beginning today for just shy of 15 grand. It's due to hit Magnolia stores at select Best Buys in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle and San Antonio over the next few weeks. The curved design is intended to provide a more immersive experience for viewers, though $14,999 is a bit too steep any way you look at it. Samsung, meanwhile, has a curved 55-incher of its own -- that OLED screen arrived in Korea late last month, and is rolling out to (very) select US retailers this week, too.
Samsung launches 55-inch 'flawless' curved OLED TV in Korea
Just as the rumors foretold, Samsung has announced Korean availability of a 55-inch curved OLED HDTV. Priced at 15 million Korean won (around $13,000) Samsung claims its "Timeless Arena" design eliminates potential for defective OLED pixels. It also reiterates the claim LG made when it launched its own curved OLED model earlier this year that keeping all parts of the screen an equal distance from the viewer makes for a better viewing experience. It also supports features found in other Samsung TVs like multi-view that lets two people watch different things at the same time thanks to 3D glasses, and the Evolution Kit CPU upgrade. There's no word on US availability for its flat OLED HDTVs, but the company also launched its new 65- and 55-inch 4K TVs at the same event. Update: According to Reuters, Samsung says it has no plans to offer a flat OLED HDTV in 2013, and this curved model will ship outside Korea in July.
Samsung reportedly shipping 55-inch OLED TV to South Korea next week
Samsung told us to expect its 55-inch OLED TV sometime in July, but there's now a chance that South Koreans will get an early look. Yonhap News Agency hears through tipsters that the premium set could ship to Samsung's homeland next week, with a price somewhere north of 10 million won ($8,840). It might not be alone, either -- those same sources also claim that the company's curved OLED TV may arrive at the same time. Samsung hasn't confirmed anything, but such moves would line up with the firm's tendency to debut products in its home country. Besides, Samsung rarely lets any of LG's salvos go unanswered.
LG shows off a production model 55-inch curved OLED TV, starts shipping soon
LG announced in April that it's bringing a 55-inch curved OLED HDTV to market, and it appears that time is almost here. According to the machine translated press release, shipments of the 15 million won ($13,500) display will start in a few days. Plant staff are pictured around one of the first mass produced 55EA9800 TVs, which weigh just 17kg and have a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) frame. We first got our eyes on the screens at CES, with their unusual shape that LG says helps keep all parts of the screen an equal distance from the viewer -- check out a few more pics in the gallery below.
LG's curved OLED displays to arrive in the second half of 2013
Alongside its wafer-thin 4K TVs, LG's curved OLED display was another product that occupies a special place in our CES memories. Fortunate, then, that the product has taken a step away from vaporware, with the company's Vice President of Home Entertainment Europe, Thomas Lee, confirming that its "world-first" curved OLED TVs will launch in the second half of this year. Given the Korean firm's tendency to test new models closer to home, we'd suspect this would be a native launch, but given that the company's 55-inch OLED display made it into at least one store outside of Korea, we wouldn't count out seeing an overseas retail appearance soon after.
Mitsubishi creates giant OLED globe for Tokyo's museum-goers, cloud gazers
This year, Tokyo's National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation is celebrating its 10th anniversary -- a milestone that Mitsubishi is commemorating with a giant OLED globe. Comprised of over 10,000 Diamond Vision OLEDs (each measuring 96 x 96mm), the six-meter 'Geo-Cosmos' installation will hang about 18 feet above the museum floor, where it will beam clouds and other satellite images at a resolution of 10 million pixels. It may not be the first curved OLED we've seen from Mitsubishi, but it's the first that could double as a pretty sick disco ball. The globe will be unveiled on June 11th, but you can head past the break for the full PR, as well as an image of the beast while it was under construction.
