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WiMAX case brings 4G speed to iPhone in South Korea
South Koreans with an iPhone 4 on wireless provider KT will be able to browse the mobile internet at 4G speeds thanks to KT's new KWF-B2500 WiMAX sleeve for the iPhone. Dubbed the Egg, the sleeve contains an extended battery to boost the iPhone's juice, providing up to five hours of 4G mobile broadband usage. As with any sleeve, the Egg will add 2.4 ounces (68 g) of weight and 8 mm of extra bulk to the iPhone 4. If you prefer to keep your iPhone 4 slim, KT also released the new KM-MR100 mobile hotspot which provides 4 hours of WiMAX connectivity on a single charge. Both the iPhone 4 sleeve and the mobile hotspot are available for 128,000 South Korean Won (US$120). [Via Engadget]
WiMAX sleeve brings 4G speeds to the iPhone 4 in South Korea
This is exactly how we humans got out of the trees five million years ago. We spot a problem, like the iPhone 4's lack of 4G data, and we solve it. In fact, Korean Telecom's new Egg sleeve not only brings WiMAX to the iPhone 4 but also incorporates an extra battery to allow five hours of 4G surfing. It could make bipedalism slightly uncomfortable however, by bulking your pocket out with 2.4 ounces (68g) in added weight plus a third of an inch (8mm) in extra thickness. Primates outside of South Korea can't buy the ₩129,800 ($120) Egg right now, but problem-solving minds can always use 4G mobile hotspots instead -- like the Sprint Overdrive or Verizon's new LTE-based MiFi. That's why we're the jungle VIP.
Samsung Galaxy S II nets two additional carriers on South Korea's official launch day
Today marks South Korea's official launch of the Galaxy S II, with Samsung ensuring its home country gets plenty of superphone love before turning its attention abroad. Rival carriers SK Telecom and LG Uplus have added this Super AMOLED Plus beauty to their repertoire, joining KT, who's already begun taking pre-orders for the device which retails for approximately $790 (before subsidies, of course). Though we're left wishing this amazing slab of engineering was available everywhere and all at once, we must remind ourselves that patience is a virtue, and -- oh, forget it -- who's flying to South Korea with us? [Thanks, Amjath]
Samsung Galaxy S II on pre-order in South Korea, introduces Olleh Touch for NFC payments
When Samsung teased us with those clever Galaxy S II commercials, we could feel the growing anticipation for its early UK arrival. Coincidentally, today marks an end to Britain's exclusivity, with South Korea's KT now offering the dual-core stunner for pre-order. We've learned this Korean Galaxy S II includes NFC, coinciding with the carrier's roll-out of Olleh Touch, a payment system being implemented at local grocer Lotte Mart. Sure, NFC inclusion increases the phone's thickness to 8.9mm, but if parlor tricks are your thing, we'd imagine it'll still easily pass under doorways. [Thanks, Aditya]
Samsung Galaxy Tab goes WiBro, yo
Making fun of WiBro -- the Korean moniker for what's otherwise known as IEEE 802.16e mobile WiMAX -- never gets old. Fortunately, Samsung just gave us another reason to "pose hard" with the announcement of the WiBro- and T-DMB-equipped Galaxy Tab now available from the Korean operator KT for 900,000KRW or just a bit more than $800. Otherwise, it's pretty much the same 7-inch Android tablet that's about to get an 8.9 inch big brother on March 22nd. Hey Sprint, you seeing this? [Original image via ImSoGangsta.org]
iPhone 4 officially coming to Korea's SK Telecom on March 16
SK Telecom has now set March 16 as the date for its launch of the iPhone 4 in Korea. After revealing earlier this year that it was to finally sell the iPhone 4 in addition to rival network KT corp, Korea's largest wireless carrier confirmed in a press release that pre-registrations opened March 9. "SK Telecom is proud to offer iPhone 4 on the nation's top network," said So Jin-Woo, President of Platform Business and co-CEO of SK Telecom. "Our customers will benefit from flexible tariff plans tailored to their unique usage needs along with a high level of customer care." Rival KT corp has thus far enjoyed exclusive sales of the iPhone, starting with the 3GS in late 2009 and selling more than a million units. SK Telecom hasn't yet confirmed whether it will be offering the CDMA or GSM version of the iPhone 4, although GSM seems most likely at the moment. [via AppleInsider]
South Korea's SK Telecom to offer Apple iPhone starting in March
SK Telecom has confirmed it intends to carry the iPhone 4, ending KT's exclusivity with the popular Apple smartphone. According to the statement, SK Telecom will announce launch and pricing details at a later date. Currently, the wireless carrier leads the pack in South Korea with slight over half of the cellular market. Its current smartphone profile is peppered with Android handsets from local manufacturers LG and Samsung. With the introduction of the iPhone 4, SK will soon compete directly with its smaller rival KT which has sold various models of the iPhone since November 2009. KT has seen a boost from the iPhone and recently announced it has sold over 2 million units during this time of exclusivity. Overall, this Asia-Pacific region is a hotbed for Apple products with sales of the iPhone and Mac more than doubling year over year, according to Apple's latest earnings report. This move to bring the iPhone to SK Telecom is part of a larger plan by Apple to expand its user base and boost it sales in the Asia-Pacific region.
NTT DoCoMo, China Mobile, KT form partnership, every other carrier in the world should probably be concerned
What happens when you put two of the world's most technologically advanced wireless operators -- Japan's NTT DoCoMo and South Korea's KT -- in the same room with the largest operator in the world, China Mobile? We don't know, but we're going to find out... and something tells us it's going to be awesome. DoCoMo broke the news this week that the three titans of industry have formed a "business collaboration" designed to "provide mobile customers with new experiences and greater convenience in the rapidly growing regional market of Northeast Asia." They specifically say that they'll be eying "international roaming, enterprise services, LTE and other network technologies, smartphones and common platforms" -- and whenever we hear "partnership" and "roaming" in the same sentence, we can't help but wonder whether it could be extremely good news for customers traveling among the carriers involved. Follow the break for the press release.
KT's EV-F600 Bricks phone lives up to its name
Billed as a designer device with a clean, simple interface, Korean carrier KT has introduced the rather oddly-named EV-F600 Bricks -- which, now that we think about it, really isn't that odd of a name at all considering how very brick-like the phone appears to be. The aforementioned interface seems to be a pretty clear-cut Windows Phone 7 rip, accompanied by 7.2Mbps HSDPA, WiFi, a 3.2-inch WQVGA display, and 2 megapixel camera that serve to take it just a little downmarket from your average WP7 release. Look for it in your choice of white or black for 400,000 won (about $360).
Dell Venue Thunders into Korea this month with Android 2.2 and 4.1-inch Gorilla Glass screen
Dell's keeping up its usual habit of sneaking devices out with today's announcement of the Dell Venue for launch in South Korea. Local carrier KT has revealed the details of this 4.1-inch Android 2.2 device (sans keyboard, unlike its WP7 cousin the Venue Pro), which is set to arrive by the end of this month at a price of 700,000KRW ($606). Formerly known by its codename of Thunder, this has actually been one of the most hotly anticipated Android handsets of the year, though the only other information confirmed by KT so far is that it'll have a curved Gorilla Glass screen. We're sure a US launch can't be far behind.
Korea Telecoms suffers an Identity Tab crisis
What's this? A 7-inch, aluminum-trimmed, multitouch tablet from Korea running Android? Why it could be none other than the Samsung Galaxy, er, KT Identity Tab. Think of this 1GHz tablet with TFT-LCD, 8GB of internal memory (and SD expansion), DMB TV tuner, light and gravity sensors, built-in ebook reader, and 3 megapixel camera as KT's answer to Samsung's Galaxy Tab Android 2.2 tablet expected to hit SK Telecom, South Korea's largest carrier, sometime in September. And with KT's take on the Tab priced at KRW300,000 (about $253) or free with KRW27,000 per month contract and 50G WiMax (aka, WiBro in Korea) data plan, it certainly sets the expectation for how Samsung will price its Tab later this week. More pics of this oh too familiar tablet design after the break.
Samsung Galaxy U and Galaxy K add to the alphabet soup in South Korea
SK Telecom already offers a version of the Galaxy S -- but it's often the case that two or all three of Korea's top wireless players want in on the same hot handsets, so it's no surprise to hear that rivals LG U+ and KT are both working on flavors of their own. Confusingly, they'll be called the Galaxy U and the Galaxy K -- apparently in tribute to their carriers' names -- but they'll both be a touch smaller than the original S, clocking in at 3.7 inches (see the U pictured next to an S above). Word on the street is that they'll both be hitting between August and September, so the wait's a mercifully short one. Ironically, it's the supply of Samsung's 3.7-inch AMOLED displays that forced HTC's hand on moving into SLCD -- so we guess this is where part of that supply's being diverted. Check another picture of the U after the break. [Thanks, Pete]
LG Optimus Z now available in South Korea
Announced back in April, LG has now launched its so-called Optimus Z Android handset on a pair of South Korea carriers -- SK Telecom and KT -- bearing model numbers SU950 and KU9500, respectively. You've got the usual range of features like a 3.5-inch WVGA display, 5 megapixel cam, DivX compatibility, and support for LG's neat Air Sync service, but what really sets these bad boys apart is something LG is aptly calling "On Screen Phone": using Bluetooth, you'll be able to see and interact with the Optimus Z's screen from your PC, which is awesome when you're too lazy to extract the thing from your pocket. It also offers something called "Drag & Shake," which will let you transfer files between devices with a mere shake of the phone -- something that conjures visions of Seoul residents meeting on the street and executing a series of odd gestures to exchange information. Paired with the announcement (which you can read after the break) is an affirmation of LG's plans to launch an Android tablet as part of the Optimus series in the fourth quarter, which should be an interesting foil for the so-called Galaxy Tab. We'll happily take one of each, of course.
KT brings the Nexus One to South Korea, complete with Froyo
The Nexus One may have taken a little while to reach South Korea, but it looks like KT is doing its best to make up for lost time -- the carrier has just announced that it will not only be offering the Nexus One, but that it will come complete with Android 2.2 (a.k.a. Froyo). True to Nexus One form, you'll be able to snag the phone off-contract for 699,600 won (or about $576), but you'll also be able to get it for just 150,000 won (or $125) on a two-year contract. Not many surprises beyond that, but it looks like supplies will be limited to just 4,000 units for the June 21st launch -- although KT promises it will be readily available at stores across the country in July. [Thanks, Tom]
Android goes Korean: Samsung debuts Galaxy A, LG intros LG-SU950
As Google quietly continues to take over the smartphone space, along with just about every other crevice in the technology realm, a trio of handsets have popped up over in Asia with its Android operating system loaded on. LG has seen fit to make official a pair of Snapdragon-based handsets -- the LG-LU2300 that we spotted earlier in the month, as well as a newfangled LG-SU950 -- the latter of which will go by KU9500 on KT. Both of these will sport a 3.5-inch WVGA display, DivX playback, 3.5mm headphone jack, DMB mobile TV, multimedia playback and a May / June release on Korean soil. Over in Samsung's court, it has just announced its first Android-powered smartphone for the Korean market: the Galaxy A. Otherwise known as the SHW-M100S, this bad Larry will ship with Android 2.1, a 3.7-inch WVGA AMOLED display, 720MHz CPU, mobile TV onboard, DivX playback, a 5 megapixel camera, HD video recording, A-GPS, Bluetooth and WiFi, with availability on SK Telecom scheduled by the end of this month. Pricing seems to be absent for each of these, but plenty more details can be found in the links sitting just below.
iPhone slated for South Korean debut on November 28
Look, South Korea, we know it's been about four decades since a handset without an integrated DMB tuner or two launched in your neck of the woods -- and no, there isn't an app for that -- but just how badly do you want in on this Apple mojo? Following government clearance a couple months back, South Korean operator KT says that it's now ready to offer the iPhone to customers next Saturday, November 28 for prices ranging from 396,000 won ($343) on a 45,000 won plan ($39) for a 32GB 3GS all the way down to absolutely free for an 8GB 3G on a 95,000 won plan ($82). Given that KT and its competitors typically rival Japanese carriers for sheer technological insanity, it'll be interesting to see how the average Korean consumer responds to the late launch.
iPhone launching in South Korea this week
Just days after receiving final approval from regulators, the iPhone will go on sale this week in South Korea. KT Corp, the country's second largest mobile carrier, began taking orders for the iPhone today, with plans to launch the phone on Saturday, November 28. Apple has confirmed the KT announcement, though it's offered no other comment. KT, on the other hand, is playing the announcement up. In a press release, Kim Woo-sik, CEO of KT's personal customer group, said, "We are thrilled to bring iPhone to South Korea. Our customers will enjoy the power and benefits of using the revolutionary iPhone on KT's 3G network." Residents of South Korea will have access to the same array of iPhones available in the states. KT is offering the 8GB iPhone 3G as well as the 16GB and 32GB iPhone 3GS. [via Associated Press, Bloomberg]
South Korea clears iPhone for sale
What, you didn't know you couldn't buy the iPhone from at least one carrier in all 193 widely-recognized sovereign nations of the world? It's true; one need look no further than South Korea, one of the most technologically-advanced wireless societies, where much of the growth over the past several years has occurred in a self-imposed bubble thanks to the existence of policies requiring the presence of a custom software layer for connecting to data services -- a layer that gave local players like Samsung and LG an almost impenetrable advantage over foreign competition. Local authorities have been loosening those restrictions in recent months, and the Wall Street Journal is reporting this evening that they've just signed off on a waiver that would allow the iPhone to be sold despite a "technical ban" that had been keeping it off shelves. Local carrier KT had been saying for a while that it intended to carry the phone, so this step seems like little more than a formality -- but in a market accustomed to T-DMB tuners, limitless color choices, and wide VGA AMOLED displays, it'll be interesting to see whether there's profit to be had.
Samsung's SCH-W830 is like a window to your soul, if your soul is a circular dot-matrix display
If you spell happiness T-W-E-L-V-E M-E-G-A-P-I-X-E-L-S, you're looking in the wrong place. Samsung's SCH-W830 -- along with its SPH-W8300 and SPH-W8350 cousins for other networks -- finds inner peace through the simplicity and beauty of a scintillating light show set around an ultra-low res display. You've only got two megapixels to work with around back, but seriously, who has time to snap pictures when you're being dazzled by a seemingly endless array of colored lights? Between that and the spring-loaded opening mechanism, this is a flip fit for the fiddler / fidgeter in all of us, and it's available now on South Korea's LGT, SKT, and KTF. [Via mobile-review]
Oh, by the way: August 7, 2009
Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of mobile for Friday, August 7th, 2009: In addition to the BL40 and BL42, it looks like LG's upcoming Chocolate series is also going to include a lower-end BL20 according to a newly-uncovered user agent profile. Whatever it is, it's got a QVGA display -- a far cry from the epic 21:9 unit on the BL40. [Via PhoneArena] Motorola's W562 candybar for China has broken cover, and needless to say, you won't find any Android here. CDMA and a 2 megapixel camera, yes, but no Android. More baby steps are being taken in states' fights to jam phone signals in and around prisons. This time around, a Senate subcommittee has sent a bill to the full Senate that would allow individual states to plead their jamming case to the FCC, which -- as of right now, anyway -- seems pretty lukewarm to the idea in general. [Via Phone Scoop] Acer -- like Apple, Microsoft, Nokia, RIM, Palm, Google, LG, Samsung, and your cousin Ralph -- is opening an app store. It expects the store to be ready in the next few months as it ramps up the barrage of new WinMo devices it's been pimping over the course of the year. [Via PHONE Magazine] South Korea's KT has confirmed that it'll carry the iPhone at some point, though it's refusing to spill details on exactly when or how that'll go down. SKT's apparently still in the mix, too, so we could end up without carrier exclusivity here. [Via Unwired View]
