Samsung teases 5G, Ai,IoT and new technologies for the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy F foldable smartphones.

Samsung on todays 2Q 2018 earnings report is expressing clearly about innovative and NEW  technologies that will benefit NEW FORM FACTORS for connected devices.

We asume Samsung the next Galaxy S10 and Galaxy F foldable (new form factor) will come with 5G, Ai and IoT and many more new technologies in,  thanks to the slow sales of the GalaxyS9/S9+ and according to the following quotes of the company press release:

Over the mid- and long-term, Samsung expects new opportunities in the component business from the ongoing transformation in the industry, led by the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G technologies. The set businesses will also benefit from the introduction of new form factors and innovative technologies to support growing demand for connected devices. 

Amid the sluggish premium smartphone market and intensifying competition, Samsung’s smartphone shipments and revenue declined QoQ due to the slow sales of Galaxy S9 and S9+ as well as the phasing out of older low-end models.  

Demand for smartphones and tablets is forecast to increase in the second half as the market enters a period of strong seasonality, but competition is seen intensifying as new smartphone models are released. In response, Samsung will seek to expand sales by introducing a new Galaxy Note earlier than usual, which offers exceptional performance for a reasonable price. Also, Samsung plans to strengthen price competitiveness and adopt advanced technology in the mass models.  

Looking to the future, the Company will continue to reinforce product competitiveness based on hardware leadership, by adopting cutting-edge technology and new form factors and gaining leadership in 5G. Furthermore, based on the ever-evolving Bixby ecosystem which connects smartphones, TVs, refrigerators and other IoT devices, Samsung aims to offer personalized service to customers and create synergy with other services such as Samsung Pay.  

The Galaxy S10 is expected to arrive at CES 2019 and the Galaxy F at MWC 2019 or viceversa, but they are coming anyhow and very loaded with new innovative things.

Press Release:

Samsung Electronics Announces Second Quarter 2018 Results.

Reports operating profit of KRW 14.87 trillion on sales of KRW 58.48 trillion.

2Q consolidated net profit at KRW 11.04 trillion.

Expects 2H improvement on memory market strength, flexible OLED sales.

Samsung Electronics reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018. The Company posted KRW 58.48 trillion in consolidated quarterly revenue, down 4 percent from a year earlier, and KRW 14.87 trillion in quarterly operating profit, up 6 percent. 

Second quarter revenue fell due to softer sales of smartphones and display panels, despite robust demand for memory chips. The continued strength of the Company’s memory business contributed to the higher operating profit. Net profit was little changed from a year earlier due to higher income tax. 

Both revenue and operating profit decreased from the previous quarter. The Korean won weakened against the US dollar but rose against the euro and several other key currencies, resulting in a negative impact of net KRW 400 billion on the quarterly operating profit compared with the previous quarter. 

By business unit, the Semiconductor Business continued to deliver strong earnings, driven by demand for DRAM chips used in data centers and NAND flash memory for high-capacity storage, amid a softening of NAND prices. Samsung solidified its competitive positioning by focusing on value-added products, including 64GB and higher-density server DRAM based on the 1X nanometer technology and 128GB and higher for NAND mobile storage. 

In the Display Business, the Company saw weak demand for flexible OLED panels in the second quarter while the shipment and price for LCD panels also fell. 

Amid the stagnant high-end smartphone market, the IT & Mobile Communications Division reported a drop in earnings, both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter, over slow sales of the Galaxy S9. The network business, however, achieved solid growth led by investments in LTE networks by key global customers. 

Stronger sales of premium TVs such as the QLED models, helped by a major global soccer event, lifted profits from the Consumer Electronics Division, although the Digital Appliances Business saw earnings decline due to weak demand for air conditioners. 

Looking ahead, Samsung expects sustained strength in the memory market and growing demand for flexible OLED panels to drive earnings higher in the second half. 

The outlook for the memory chip business remains strong across all applications thanks to demand for server and PC memory as well as new mobile product launches. Samsung will proactively address demand for differentiated products such as high-density server memory and High Bandwidth Memory. The Company will also strengthen its technological leadership by increasing the portion of 10 nanometer-class products and expanding mass production of 5th generation V-NAND. 

The System LSI and Foundry businesses are set to benefit from higher demand for mobile APs and image sensors. Flexible OLED shipments are expected to rise, even as competition is seen intensifying over rigid products. 

The mobile market condition will likely remain challenging in the second half amid pricing competition and new product launches. The Company will respond through the early introduction of the Galaxy Note and competitive mid- and low-end models with new features. Earnings from the TV business will continue to improve as Samsung expands sales of new innovative premium models including QLED and 8K TVs. 

Over the mid- and long-term, Samsung expects new opportunities in the component business from the ongoing transformation in the industry, led by the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G technologies. The set businesses will also benefit from the introduction of new form factors and innovative technologies to support growing demand for connected devices. 

In the component business, Samsung will use its cutting-edge semiconductor technology to capitalize on new demand for chipsets used in automotive and AI applications. The Company will also leverage its strength in OLED panels to take advantage of wider applications in the IT and automotive industries. 

The Company’s capital expenditure in the second quarter was KRW 8.0 trillion, including KRW 6.1 trillion for the Semiconductor Business and KRW 1.1 trillion for the Display Business. It brings the total spent in the first half of 2018 to KRW 16.6 trillion.

Semiconductor to see Continued Strong Demand in Second Half.

The Semiconductor Business posted consolidated revenue of KRW 21.99 trillion and operating profit of KRW 11.61 trillion for the quarter. The memory business achieved strong results despite weak seasonality, as overall demand growth was solid, driven by servers for data centers.

For NAND, demand remained robust on the back of the continuing trend toward higher density for smartphones and the increase in demand for server SSD due to expansion of cloud infrastructure. Samsung posted solid earnings by responding to new mobile device launches and demand for higher density products. The Company also focused on value-added and high-density SSD for servers. 

For DRAM, server demand stayed strong owing to the ongoing shift to higher density and expansion of data center infrastructure. PC demand remained robust, driven by increasing demand from large OEMs, while strong gaming demand helped the graphics segment. In the mobile market, despite concerns over a slowdown in smartphone growth, increase in memory content per device continued. 

For the second half outlook for NAND, adoption of SSD is expected to expand into more sectors and all product segments are projected to use more high-density eStorage. For servers, demand for SSD for data centers is forecast to remain strong, while for enterprise, adoption of high-density server SSD over 8TB is expected to continue. 

In mobile, demand for high-density storage for new smartphones and high-end models is likely to remain robust. Samsung will increase server SSD supply and respond to high-density eStorage demand based on 64-layer 3D NAND products and competitiveness of high-density solutions. 

As for the second half DRAM outlook, strong demand from all applications is expected to continue. For servers, demand growth is forecast to persist due to expansion of data center demand from the US and Chinese markets, while high-performance cloud services are also projected to launch. 

In mobile, in addition to new flagship smartphone launches, memory content is projected to increase in mid-range models as they begin to support high-specification mobile games, on-device AI and dual camera features. In addition, PC demand will be driven by back to school sales, while graphics demand will be led by the buildup for game consoles. Samsung will focus on strengthening product competitiveness via continuous expansion of 10 nanometer-class technology migration and expanding sales of high value-added products, such as high-density server DRAM, HBM2 and LPDDR4X. 

In the mid- to long-term, the trend toward high-performance and higher density servers for data centers is expected to continue due to expansion of AI-related services based on machine learning and adoption of in-memory database. In mobile, demand growth is projected to continue, as the need for high-performance devices increases with the rise of high-density content. Samsung will closely monitor the market condition and the supply and demand conditions of each segment to maintain sustainable earnings in the mid- to long-term with the industry’s leading technology. 

For the System LSI Business, overall earnings declined due to weaker demand for mobile application processors and DDIs, but demand for image sensors continued to increase on the back of higher adoption of dual cameras from Chinese smartphone manufacturers. In the third quarter, earnings are expected in increase QoQ on demand for image sensors and DDIs amid strong seasonality for smartphones. 

In the second half, overall earnings are projected to improve compared with the first half, led by strong demand for OLED DDIs and high-pixel image sensors. In addition, Samsung plans to diversify its customer base for mobile APs from China and develop chips for use in automotive and IoT applications. Mid- to long-term, the Company will focus on developing chipsets for 5G, multiple cameras and display panels, seeking to achieve higher growth compared to that of the market. 

For the Foundry Business, total earnings continued to grow QoQ due to strong demand for High Performance Computing (HPC) chipsets, mobile APs and image sensors. In addition, by securing orders for 8-inch specialty products, the Company has established a base for achieving stable earnings going forward. Earnings are expected to be solid in the second half on the back of higher demand for mobile APs and image sensors. Samsung will also strengthen process technology leadership by beginning 8-nanometer mass production and EUV-based 7-nanometer test production. 

The Company expects revenue to exceed USD 10 billion in 2018, following sales of USD 9.8 billion in 2017, securing a strong second place in the foundry market.

Display to Rebound in Second Half Led by Flexible OLED

The Display Panel Business posted KRW 5.67 trillion in consolidated revenue and KRW 0.14 trillion in operating profit for the quarter. 

For OLED, earnings decreased QoQ despite improved factory utilization for rigid products, as demand from major customers for flexible panels remained slow. Earnings from LCD also declined from the previous quarter as the shipment and average panel price continued the downward trend. 

Looking ahead to the second half, OLED sales are expected to rebound on recovering demand for flexible displays. Samsung aims to increase market share by actively addressing customer demand while enhancing technological and price competitiveness. The Company will incorporate more value-added features into panels and reinforce its competencies in new applications such as foldable displays, seeking new growth drivers. 

For LCD, Samsung expects demand to grow in the second half for premium TV panels that are used in high-resolution and ultra-large models, amid peak seasonality. Intensified competition and the industry’s capacity expansion will limit improvements in profits, but the Company will continue to focus on profit with differentiated high-end products such as Quantum Dot and 8K resolution TV panels. 

Mobile Posts Sluggish Sales, Networks Grows on LTE Expansion

The IT & Mobile Communications Division posted KRW 24.0 trillion in consolidated revenue and KRW 2.67 trillion in operating profit for the quarter. 

Amid the sluggish premium smartphone market and intensifying competition, Samsung’s smartphone shipments and revenue declined QoQ due to the slow sales of Galaxy S9 and S9+ as well as the phasing out of older low-end models. 

The Company posted a drop in quarterly operating profit due to higher marketing expenses. Meanwhile, the Networks Business saw a healthy sales growth as major overseas carrier partners increased investments in LTE expansion.

Demand for smartphones and tablets is forecast to increase in the second half as the market enters a period of strong seasonality, but competition is seen intensifying as new smartphone models are released. In response, Samsung will seek to expand sales by introducing a new Galaxy Note earlier than usual, which offers exceptional performance for a reasonable price. Also, Samsung plans to strengthen price competitiveness and adopt advanced technology in the mass models. 

Looking to the future, the Company will continue to reinforce product competitiveness based on hardware leadership, by adopting cutting-edge technology and new form factors and gaining leadership in 5G. Furthermore, based on the ever-evolving Bixby ecosystem which connects smartphones, TVs, refrigerators and other IoT devices, Samsung aims to offer personalized service to customers and create synergy with other services such as Samsung Pay. 

As for the Networks Business, the Company will supply its major partners with 5G network solutions and continue to invest to become the global leader in next-generation network solutions. 

Consumer Electronics to Maintain Premium Market Leadership

The Consumer Electronics Division, including the Visual Display and Digital Appliances businesses, posted KRW 10.4 trillion in consolidated revenue and KRW 0.51 trillion in operating profit for the second quarter. 

The overall TV market saw demand grow from a year ago as a major global soccer event lifted sales. Samsung reported a significant boost in earnings in the TV business due to strong sales of its premium products, including QLED and ultra-large screen TVs. 

Following a successful restructuring of its product line-up, Samsung led expansion of the premium TV market, winning more than 50% market share in the ultra-large screen segment of 75-inches and above. 

For the Digital Appliances Business, the overall market decreased YoY largely due to the instability in emerging markets, although developed markets posted a moderate growth. Samsung continued to expand sales of its premium products in the second quarter, including the Family Hub refrigerator and premium air purifier “CUBE”. However, earnings decreased slightly YoY, due to weak demand for air conditioners. 

Looking to the second half, the TV market is projected to grow YoY, especially in developed economies. Samsung will work to further improve profitability by focusing on sales of premium TVs and maximizing shipments during the year-end peak season. The Company’s second half release of the industry’s first AI- based 8K QLED TV is expected to further solidify its position as a leader in the premium TV market. 

As for the Digital Appliances Business, the Company will focus on profits by enhancing peak-season promotions in key regions including Black Friday, and expanding sales of premium products and built-in home appliances.

LG launches CITYHUB, a IoT-linked smart city platform.

LG CNS, the information technology services unit of South Korea’s LG Group, announced Thursday the launch of a comprehensive smart city management platform that collects and analyzes data generated and sent by various city infrastructure via internet of things technology.

Tentatively named “Cityhub,” the smart city platform collects data from IoT sensors attached on vehicles, buildings, transportation infrastructure and street lights. Such data can also be analyzed via LG CNS’ artificial intelligence engines to design, build and provide intelligent services, the firm said. 

Cityhub also boasts compatibility with a wide range of devices. The platform supports not only the international IoT standard oneM2M, but 98 other IoT standards used by specific industries such as logistics, manufacturing and distribution. 

For this reason, LG CNS expects the platform to serve as a united “control tower” for smart cities which monitors and manages IoT-powered services in various areas of importance including transportation, safety, energy and environment. 

“With widespread connectivity, Cityhub can singlehandedly collect and manage IoT-based data from different industries, without having to develop additional platforms to account for differing telecommunication standards,” the company said. 

LG CNS expects to remain a forerunner in the realm of smart city management technologies, as it was the first private company to earn the Korean government’s smart city platform solution certification.

The certification, issued by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Korea’s Telecommunications Technology Association, is required for companies seeking to supply their own smart city platforms and dependent services to government organizations. Previously, private actors wishing to provide smart city services to state-affiliated entities were required to develop them using government-developed platforms only. 

LG CNS is already participating in efforts to build high-tech cities across Korea, including smart urban planning projects with Sejong City, Jeju Island, Haenam County in South Jeolla Province and Magok District of Seoul. 

KH

Samsung develops EXYNOS i T200 AP chip for IoT devices.

Samsung Electronics Co. said Tuesday it has developed an application processor (AP) for Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

The South Korean tech giant said it has completed the development of the Exynos i T200 that boasts improved security. AP chips, referred to as the "brains" of electronic devices, play a key role in activating operating systems and applications.

The IoT is a concept in which all tangible objects are connected to the Internet and can identify themselves to other devices in order to exchange necessary data for improved efficiency and convenience.

The sector has been cited as one of the new growth engines for the global technology industry, with electronics giants focusing efforts on tapping deeper into the area.

Industry watchers said Samsung may start full-fledged commercialization of the new chip as early as the second quarter.

GE, Nokia and Qualcomm Unveil First Private LTE-based Trial Network for Industrial IoT.

GE, Nokia and Qualcomm Unveil First Private LTE-based Trial Network Customized for Industrial IoT.

Demo Illustrates Benefits of a Private High-performance LTE-based Network Providing End-to-End Solution for Industrial IoT Market.

GE Digital, Nokia and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated , today announced that the companies have successfully demonstrated a private LTE network for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) market; meshing together each party's platforms and technologies. In addition, the companies have announced plans to further research and conduct live field trials throughout 2017 based on this demonstration, designed to advance the digitization of industrial processes.

Industrial companies often have local connectivity needs and operate in remote locations or temporary sites, such as mines, power plants, offshore oil platforms, factories, warehouses or ports—connectivity for these environments can be challenging. A standalone LTE network to serve devices and users within a localized area can help improve performance and reliability for these industrial settings.

Private LTE-based networks utilize LTE-based technologies in shared/unlicensed/dedicated-licensed spectrum. This demonstration utilizes LTE-TDD in the US 3.5 GHz shared spectrum band also known as Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS). With MulteFire™, unlicensed spectrum bands can be used to create private LTE-based networks, such as the 5 GHz band available globally.

As part of the collaboration and technology demonstration, Qualcomm Technologies will provide the wireless technology and device chipsets. Nokia will be providing base station infrastructure plus the Nokia Digital Automation Cloud service to run the network as an on demand private network.  GE is integrating these new types of connectivity into its Predix platform – an open-architecture operating system for the Industrial Internet – to help industrial companies better manage their assets and operations, often found far from the public communications networks.

Further, the agreements between the parties include the installation of a private LTE network at GE Digital's headquarters in San Ramon, Calif., which GE will use to further develop its Predix platform.

"Industries such as factories, warehouses, container ports and airports are increasingly dependent on wireless connectivity to efficiently operate as they continue to utilize more wireless data and connect countless IoT devices to their networks," said Michael Wallace, senior vice president and general manager, Emerging Business, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. 

"With this collaboration, we are providing companies in the Industrial IoT space the ability to leverage the core advantages of LTE including full mobility, high data rates and coverage, predictable latency, quality of service and ease of deployment."

"Connecting the world's machines to an industrial operating system like Predix is vital to unlocking the data and insights necessary to both increase efficiency and drive adoption of emerging technologies, such as machine learning and computer vision, in industry," said Peter Marx, Vice President, Advanced Concepts, GE Digital. "Bringing LTE-based networks that use shared and unlicensed spectrum to our customers operating in remote and unpopulated locations is a powerful advancement beyond what is available today."

"Private LTE networks bring an entirely new level of advanced, low latency and robust wireless connectivity solutions into verticals and industries," said Stephan Litjens, GM Digital Automation, Nokia.

 "This allows companies to significantly increase the level of automation and analytics in use by adding more sensors, IOT devices, robotics and in general use wireless connectivity for their business and production critical processes. With this collaboration, Nokia accelerates the promise of automated industry by supporting a 'plug n play' private LTE ecosystem. The combination of capabilities from GE, Qualcomm, and Nokia is ideal to bring the promise of analytics in end-to-end industrial IoT solutions to life."

Private LTE-based networks will enable industries and enterprises to own and manage their own LTE network without requiring licensed spectrum and still enjoy the high-performance benefits from LTE with a strong roadmap to 5G. Private LTE-based networks also offer the ability to customize the dedicated LTE network for the company's specific applications, such as optimizing for capacity, quality-of-service, or guaranteed latencies.

The demonstration will be on display at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona from February 27 through March 2 at Qualcomm booth in Hall 3, Booth 3E10.

About Qualcomm 

Qualcomm's technologies powered the smartphone revolution and connected billions of people. We pioneered 3G and 4G – and now we are leading the way to 5G and a new era of intelligent, connected devices. Our products are revolutionizing industries, including automotive, computing, IoT, healthcare and data center, and are allowing millions of devices to connect with each other in ways never before imagined. Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio.  Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, all of our engineering, research and development functions, and all of our products and services businesses, including, our QCT semiconductor business. For more information, visit Qualcomm's website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages.

About Nokia 

Nokia is a global leader innovating the technologies at the heart of our connected world. Powered by the research and innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we serve communications service providers, governments, large enterprises and consumers, with the industry's most complete, end-to-end portfolio of products, services and licensing.

From the enabling infrastructure for 5G and the Internet of Things, to emerging applications in virtual reality and digital health, we are shaping the future of technology to transform the human experience. www.nokia.com

About GE Digital 

GE Digital connects streams of machine data to powerful analytics, providing industrial companies with valuable insights to manage assets and operations more efficiently. World-class talent and software capabilities drive big gains in productivity, availability and longevity. For more information, visit the Web site at www.ge.com/digital.

Qualcomm Contacts: 

Pete Lancia, Corporate Communications 

Phone:  1-858-845-5959 

Email:  corpcomm@qualcomm.com

John Sinnott, Investor Relations 

Phone:  1-858-658-4813 

Email:  ir@qualcomm.com

Nokia Media Enquiries: 

Communications 

Phone: +358 10 448 4900 

Email: press.services@nokia.com 

SOURCE Qualcomm Incorporated

Nokia and Hewlett Packard Enterprise expand collaboration on IoT solutions.

Nokia and Hewlett Packard Enterprise expand collaboration on Enterprise of Things.

• Companies will focus on IoT solutions for smart city and industrial/manufacturing customers, with initial offerings planned for early 2017
• Partnership strengthens portfolios of both companies and go-to-market capabilities in market forecast to reach 161 billion USD by 2020¹
• Current partnership includes deals with more than 25 service provider and enterprise customers

Espoo, Finland and Palo Alto, Calif. - Nokia and Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE) today announced a strategic collaboration on Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for enterprise customers.

The companies will jointly market and sell solutions for two IoT vertical enterprise segments, including industrial/manufacturing and smart city applications. They will provide industrial/manufacturing customers with solutions for asset management, smart manufacturing, remote site automation and predictive maintenance, and enhanced networking choices for improved connectivity for smart city solutions, such as smart lighting and smart buildings.

According to research firm Markets and Markets, the IoT market for smart cities and manufacturing will reach USD 161 billion by 2020. The markets will grow as manufacturing companies use IoT to improve productivity in the production process and the supply chain, and as cities with growing populations use IoT to improve operational efficiency, maintain and protect their infrastructure, and operate in a sustainable manner.

The joint offerings combine connectivity, core networking, data aggregation and compute technologies from Nokia and HPE. The companies are currently working on a proof-of-concept for smart cities, combining Nokia's routing capabilities with HPE's Hybrid IT capabilities for joint project delivery models.

The IoT partnership extends the existing collaboration between the two organizations, which to date includes end-to-end deals with 25 enterprise and service provider customers, and more than 30 proof-of-concepts.

Kathrin Buvac, chief strategy officer at Nokia, said: "We are pleased to extend our partnership with HPE into the IoT space. HPE's market presence offers Nokia expedited and increased access to the enterprise market and target verticals along with a complimentary portfolio of products and services."

Antonio Neri, executive vice president, Head of Enterprise Group at HPE, said: "The addition of Nokia to the HPE IoT partner ecosystem will bring broader choice and market-leading technologies to our joint customers. HPE and Nokia have a long history of innovation that will help our customers through their journey of digitization."

HPE has joined Nokia's IoT Community (www.iotcommunity.com), an ecosystem of innovative companies collaborating on solution concepts, end-to-end prototypes, business models and market trials that will unleash the full potential of IoT. Nokia is joining part of HPE's IoT initiative within HPE's industry leading Partner Ready program.

The joint solutions will be ready to market from early 2017 onwards.

About Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Hewlett Packard Enterprise is an industry leading technology company that enables customers to go further, faster. With the industry's most comprehensive portfolio, spanning the cloud to the datacenter to workplace applications, our technology and services help customers around the world make IT more efficient, more productive and more secure. 

About Nokia

Nokia is a global leader in creating the technologies at the heart of our connected world. Powered by the research and innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we serve communications service providers, governments, large enterprises and consumers, with the industry's most complete, end-to-end portfolio of products, services and licensing.

From the enabling infrastructure for 5G and the Internet of Things, to emerging applications in virtual reality and digital health, we are shaping the future of technology to transform the human experience. www.nokia.com

1. Markets and Markets -- Internet of Things (IoT) in Smart Cities Market worth 147.51 Billion USD by 2020 and Internet of Things (IoT) in Manufacturing Market worth 13.49 Billion USD by 2020 

Media Enquiries:
HPE
Jyotsna Grover

+1 650-857-1501 

Jyotsna.grover@hpe.com

Nokia

Communications
+358 (0) 10 448 4900
press.services@nokia.com

Huawei and LG Uplus partnership for IoT business.

Models demonstrate LG Uplus' narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) products in the NB-IoT Open Lab at the telecom company's office in Sangam-dong, western Seoul, Monday. LG Uplus and Huawei have jointly opened the lab to support smaller partners here in developing and testing NB-IoT devices and services. / Courtesy of LG Uplus.

Huawei, the world's largest network equipment provider, is solidifying its long-term partnership with LG Uplus to jointly push for the narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) business, the two companies said Monday.

The Chinese network business giant pledged to give some 100,000 NB-IoT chipsets and modules to small- and medium-sized enterprises that are willing to participate in their joint NB-IoT business platform, aiming to boost its presence in the rapidly growing business-to-business (B2B) IoT service market at home and abroad.

Though Huawei has already established partnerships with other global telecom companies for the NB-IoT business, it has specifically chosen Korea and LG Uplus to offer the free chipsets and modules.

Huawei's cellular IoT product line head Zhu Cheng underlined that this is because the company has high hopes for the potential of Korea's IoT market.

"We are providing the free chipsets and modules only to LG Uplus because we believe Korea has the greatest influence around the globe in the area of IoT," Cheng said during a press conference in Seoul, Monday. 

"We will be able to succeed anywhere in the world if we successfully establish an ecosystem for IoT here. If we do, we can also reach out to global markets alongside our partners in the Korean IoT industry."

On Monday, Huawei and LG Uplus jointly opened the NB-IoT Open Lab at the telecom company's office in Sangam-dong, western Seoul. At the laboratory, partners of companies in the mobile device, services and system integration industries will be able to develop and test their products and services.

Huawei opened the first NB-IoT Open Lab in Newbury, Britain, under cooperation with Vodafone earlier in April. Since then, the company has established six more labs around the globe and is working with more than 30 partners.

"We will continue to support LG Uplus to help them become the leader in the IoT market," Cheng said.

Earlier this month, LG Uplus said it will team up with KT to jointly push for the NB-IoT network service business, against SK Telecom which has adopted the LoRa technology for the same business category.

The nation's third-largest telecom company said it will start establishing its NB-IoT network in the Seoul area in January next year, aiming at launching the service in the first quarter. It plans to complete a nationwide network, based on its existing long-term evolution network and a roaming network chain with KT, within the next year.

Thanks to its wide network coverage, long battery life and low battery consumption, the NB-IoT is expected to be one of the most widely adopted technology standards for the Internet of Small Things (IoST) services, according to the telecom company.

LG Uplus said it will foster an NB-IoT industry ecosystem in Korea by supporting smaller partners to join in the business.

"As we believe that the NB-IoT is the most economic, efficient and universal technology for the IoST industry, we will provide all the support through the open lab with Huawei to speed up commercialization of actual services," LG Uplus Technology Development Division head Lee Sang-min said.

LG Uplus also said it will actively back up its smaller partners in entering global business through the NB-IoT Open Lab.

"Our partners that are providing devices to the Home IoT platform are already drawing great attention from telecom companies in China and Japan and some of them are under detailed discussions," LG Uplus' converged home business senior vice president Ahn Sung-jun said. 

"This means that Korea's small- and medium-sized enterprises will start supplying products directly to foreign telecom companies. We will support all our partners in the NB-IoT sector the same."

Samsung gives some details of the upcoming AI powered Galaxy S8.

From left: VIV Labs’ Vice President Adam Cheyer, VIV Labs’ CEO Dag Kittlaus and Samsung Electronics’ Vice President Rhee In-jong (Samsung Electronics)

Samsung Electronics’ next flagship smartphone Galaxy S8 will adopt an artificial intelligence platform, which will also be applied into all of its home appliances, the company said Friday. 

“We will focus on how to provide more pleasure and convenience to users through VIV Labs’ AI solution,” Lee Jae-yong, Samsung Electronics’ vice chairman, said while meeting the chiefs of VIV Labs in the company’s Seocho office building in Seoul on Friday. 

Lee added that Samsung would strengthen its technology leadership in the Internet of Things by integrating VIV Labs’ solution into its smartphones, home appliances and semiconductors. 

VIV Labs is a Silicon Valley-based AI platform company set up by former key developers of Apple’s AI platform Siri. Samsung Electronics acquired the American tech firm in October with the aim of applying AI-powered voice recognition technologies in its digital devices and appliances.

Following the meeting with Lee, VIV Labs’ management and Samsung Electronics’ Vice President Rhee In-jong met reporters to give them a glimpse of how the new AI platform will be applied into the Galaxy S8 and the company’s other appliances. 

Rhee said, “We are developing a key major interface which will bring about a totally new paradigm; an open AI platform.” 

“The current Galaxy smartphones need separate applications for users, for instance, to order pizza or coffee. But, the new AI platform will enable them to order (or do) things directly without going through separate applications,” he explained. 

The service is expected to be an upgraded version of the current intelligent personal assistant S Voice built into some devices of the Galaxy series, but its functions are still behind Apple Siri or Google Assistant. 

The AI voice recognition technology will also be applied to Samsung’s home appliances in the future. 

“(The AI platform) not only will work on smartphones, but will work with home appliances that you can also interact with, in your daily lives,” said VIV Labs’ CEO Dag Kittlaus. 

“The focus is to make it work as a ‘connected technology,’ which will extend to all sorts of devices that users work on or use,” he added. 

This means the platform will be able to work as a remote control for its owner’s appliances without having to use a specific application. “(For instance) you will be able to ask your refrigerator to show you your photos on your phone,” said Rhee.

Such smart home technology is also being developed by other global tech firms including Google, Apple and Amazon, which are seeking to find new business opportunities beyond the saturated smartphone market. 

Google has already unveiled a voice-activated speaker powered by its AI platform Google Assistant and Apple is developing smart home technologies with its Siri. Amazon has also launched Echo, a hands-free speaker that users can control with their voice through its voice service Alexa. 

Samsung and VIV Labs agreed that AI technology will ultimately become a common sight like the internet.

“The more developers rise in the technology industry, the more users will be interacting with the AI platform,” said Adam Cheyer, VIV Labs’ vice president. 

“Our kids will ask us ‘Dad, how did you grow up without the internet? And in the future, next generations will ask ‘How did you live without the AI platform?’” he added. 

CEATEC 2016 Japan: Panasonic Showcase New Lifestyles and Businesses in IoT Era, including the Transparent HDTV.

Panasonic Corporation, a company striving to create new value for its customers under the brand slogan of "A Better Life, A Better World" will present the company's latest technologies and solutions at "CEATEC JAPAN 2016," a CPS/IoT exhibition to be held from October 4 to 7, 2016 at Makuhari Messe, Chiba City, on the outskirts of Tokyo.

Under the theme of "Transformation IoT brings to Lifestyles and Business," the Panasonic booth will consists of two main zones: "Business solutions and Lifestyle at home Area" where visitors can have a glimpse of how technology changes life in commercial and residential spaces; and "Technology and Devices Area" which will introduce the company's latest Internet of Things (IoT)-related technologies, solutions and devices, including those under development with the aim of achieving co-creation with visitors.

Main Exhibits

Future Retail Experience: Transformation IoT brings to retail spaces and shopping

Visitors here can have a future shopping experience IoT will bring about. With various connected devices such as cameras and digital signage, shops will display their recommendations suiting the taste of each customer on the show windows. For shop operators, IoT will enable optimized management for each store with the support of artificial intelligence (AI).

• •Multiple video streaming system
  This system enables simultaneous viewing of multiple videos on the same screen, such as those shot with cameras and store PR videos. The system also enables independent image manipulation such as zooming at multiple distribution destinations.

• •LinkRay (Light ID) solutions
  LinkRay is a next-generation communication tool allowing customers to get information quickly and easily by simply holding up their smartphones to an LED light source such as room lighting and a display.

• •Transparent screen
  This transparent glass changes into a high-quality screen, and can be used as digital signage by displaying videos and information.

• •Window AR projection
  By using transparent film enabling video projection when affixed to glass, this system makes it possible to create new spaces combining the video projected onto the glass and the scenery or objects behind the glass.

• •Omni-channel marketing solutions
  This solution realizes marketing activities incorporating customer behavior in physical stores by using IoT devices in addition to purchase history.

• •Store analysis AI solutions
  These solutions provide optimal operation support for each store by extracting features from big data pertaining to stores such as sales and customer behavior through analysis.

Better Living Tomorrow: Lifestyle in near future

A simple, interactive living space in total harmony with the surrounding space - here Panasonic will showcase its proposal to the details of living. Changing the spatial ambience to suit human behavior makes people feel comfortable no matter where they go and even give a surprisingly wondrous feeling.

• •Transparent display
  This transparent display is incorporated into the shelf's door or sliding door, blending in with the interior. It displays video only when necessary.

• •Lighting and audio control
  Lighting and audio, linked each other, change their tone interactively, tracking the movement of people. This effectively adjusts the space to suit various situations.

• •Sake and wine cellar
  This cellar can store alcoholic beverages such as sake and wine at the optimal temperature and humidity for each type. In addition, it displays various types of information on the door employing a transparent display, such as information on stored items and recipe suggestions paired to each drink.

• •Range hood with camera
  This unit properly controls temperature of the induction hob by precisely sensing the state of cooking. Furthermore it enables video recording of the cooking process for sharing with friends. This makes cooking even more fun.

• •Flat cooker based on a new concept
  A cooker with a completely different concept from induction hobs or griddles is built into the table. The cooker only heats food, so it's enough to put food on a plate and then set it on the cooker. This suggests a new cooking experience, requiring no pot or frying pan, where delicious freshly-prepared flavor is maintained to the end.

• •Cloud services (cooking assist system)
  By linking devices and sharing information, these services smartly assist all aspects of cooking, including display of recipe suggestions and cooking guidance, and settings so that multiple dishes are finished at the same time. The cloud services, great food adds to a memorable gathering with special ones.

Technology and Device Area

This area introduces the latest IoT-related technology and devices, including cutting-edge user interface (UI)/user experience (UX) and next-generation sensing. Through demos and dialog, Panasonic will aim for co-creation with visitors.

• •Active optical connector
  A compact optical connector which easily realizes high-speed transmission within a device.

• •Electromagnetic noise suppression and heat diffusion integrated sheets
  This sheet can effectively suppress electromagnetic noise, while providing one of the highest levels of thermal diffusion capability in the industry.

• •Absolute angle sensor
  A compact, lightweight sensor enables high-precision angle detection without contact.

• •Smart rechargeable battery for IoT/wearable devices
  This pin-type, flexible lithium ion battery is suitable for various types of IoT/wearable devices.

• •Force sensing switch
  This compact switch realizes various types of operations with output changing according to pressing force.

• •Touch panel module with rotary / push encoder
  This touch panel incorporates a control panel and knobs into one to provide improved input operation and design of terminals.

• •Human body communication device
  This communication module employs electric-field communication technology to achieve "thing-to-thing, human-to-human and human-to-thing" communication, creating a world where natural gestures enable authentication and communication.

• •Wireless and batteryless switch
  This switch enables simultaneous communication with multiple terminals by generating power and performing wireless communication with a single touch.

• •Design flexible touch sensor (Cu-mesh touch sensor)
  Using its unique copper micro-wiring, Panasonic has realized a touch sensor whose pattern is invisible. This enables large size and suitability for curved surfaces that were difficult to achieve with conventional transparent electrodes (ITO).

• •3D actuator (camera stabilizer)
  Simultaneous drive of three axes with a single motor allows the photographer to capture the subject in any circumstances without fail. This camera stabilizer enables shake correction, tracking and high image quality.

• •IoT-ReH sensor
  This hydrogen detection sensor employing IoT technology detects hydrogen leakage in any location, contributing to a safe and secure hydrogen economy.

• •Makeup sheet
  Using non-contact skin sensor and special printing technologies, this nano-level, ultra-thin sheet conceals spots, perfectly matching to each individual.

• •Listnr
  Listnr differentiates four kinds of emotions from the voice of a baby via a microphone, and then delivers information to the smartphones of distant family members.

• •Motion sensing unit
  This unit detects and controls a robot's position and orientation, and enables automatic running by combining a six-axis sensor (three-axis gyro sensor + three-axis acceleration sensor) and a microprocessor (with built-in algorithm).

• •Camera sharing service PaN
  This service enables customers to share access to cameras installed at various locations, and acquire the captured photos and video via the cloud.

• •Multihop "HD-PLC" - IoT infrastructure technology
  This technology for IoT enables high-speed communication through power line. Multihop technology dramatically improves connectivity, communication distance, and number of connected units compared to conventional products.

Lifestyle in near future.

A simple, interactive living space in total harmony with the surrounding space - here Panasonic will showcase its proposal to the details of living. Changing the spatial ambience to suit human behavior makes people feel comfortable no matter where they go and even give a surprisingly wondrous feeling.