Media, Entertainment and Gaming
ò Market sources indicate that the PlayStation 3 (PS3) console has hit 1 million unit sales in PAL regions, including the U.K. and the rest of Europe. Industry observers say the news is welcome news to Sony after reports showed that Nintendo's Wii console was outselling the PS3 by a 5:1 margin. The device has sold 1 million units in nine-and-half weeks following its launch in March, making it the more popular console than both the PlayStation and PlayStation 2.
ò Tokyo Broadcasting System Inc., referring to its anti-takeover measure against Rakuten Inc., said it has consulted an advisory panel of experts whether it should counter the online shopping mall operator's move. Industry sources said directors of the major TV and radio station have adopted a resolution on the panel. The six-member panel will hear directly from Rakuten president about the purpose of his company's plan to raise its stake in TBS to a level above 20 percent from 19.8 percent at present. Sources said the panel will analyze the additional share acquisition plan for up to 90 days and decide whether to identify Rakuten as an aggressive acquirer that should be subjected to a poison pill. In 2005, In October 2005, Rakuten asked TBS to merge with it after acquiring a 15.4 percent stake in the broadcaster, with RakutenÆs move to merger as being based on the rationale that there would be merits in fusing TV broadcasting with Internet services.
ò Konami, a Japanese software maker, revealed its plans to launch a skincare guide for use on Nintendo Co. Ltd.'s portable game gear DS. Konami said it is looking to giving beauty tips based on users' basal body temperature and hormone balance. The DS has two screens, opens like a book and allows gamers to control play with a stylus, instead of manipulating a keypad. Konami Digital Entertainment is Konami's game software unit.
ò Nickelodeon announced that it has entered into an agreement with Sony Music Label Group and SONY BMG Commercial Music Group to jointly develop and finance TV and music projects over the next four years. The two companies said the agreement includes activities in areas like apparel and electronics. Nickelodeon is a division of Viacom Inc.'s MTV Networks.
Internet
ò The Japanese web site Yahoo Music announced that it has entered into an alliance with Apple's iTunes music store enabling iPod users to download songs and other content. Under the offering, those who have AppleÆs digital music players will now be able to search for musicians, tracks and albums on the Yahoo site. According to Yahoo Japan, it aims to provide broader content and functions. Since its introduction in 2001, Apple has sold more than 100 million iPods, with the device cornering about 75 percent of the global MP3 player market. Apple's online iTunes store sells digital music, podcasts, video and films. The decision is seen as easing as replacing Mora, a download service run by Sony-affiliated LabelGate.
Mobile/Wireless
ò Sony Ericsson announced its filing of a U.S. patent application for a mobile device with video game features although it stated that it not yet set to launch a phone based on its PlayStation Portable (PSP) video game brand. Earlier, Sony Ericsson said it did not count out the development of a device fitted with its own technology and that of SonyÆs portable video game technology.
Hardware
ò Sony Corp. released a statement indicating that the company sees its electronics sales growth outpacing the industry in the current fiscal year. The company attributes this growth to the continuing demand for big televisions and digital cameras, with a decline in component pricing expected to benefit profits. According to the president and CEO of SonyÆs electronics arm, the company's electronics sales posted a 7 percent growth percent in the fiscal year that ended in March. The Japanese company holds an 18 percent share of consumer electronics sales in the U.S.
Information Technology
ò Media sources indicate that Yahoo Japan Corp. will become the top shareholder in Telewave Inc., an IT services provider, when it has acquired a 20 percent stake in the firm for 3.7 billion yen (US$30.4 million). The deal is expected to take place next Wednesday. Telewave has been a sales agent for Yahoo Japan, signing up many businesses for the web portal operator's shopping mall and auction services.
Korea
Internet
ò Domestic Internet portal sites in the country are accusing their government of using taxpayersÆ money to help their biggest foreign rival, Google. Media sources said South KoreaÆs Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy encouraged Google by saying the ministry would provide up to 80 percent of labor costs for programmers and up to 50 percent of accommodation expenses for employees from Google headquarters who come to the country to train Korean staff. The complaints mentioned that when SK Communications and NHN entered the U.S. market, it did not get any support from the government of the U.S. or South Korea.
Mobile/Wireless
ò KTF, the nation's second-largest mobile operator, announced the launching a high speed up-link packet access, or HSUPA, commercial network. HSUPA, which enables fast data uploading speed, is an upgrade of the wireless technology known as high speed down-link packet access. KTF is the first Korean mobile operator to launch such a network. The company said the service using USB-type devices will begin in major cities including Seoul, Busan, Dajeon, Gwangju and Daegu, with the nationwide service available in October this year.
ò According to the countryÆs Ministry of Information and Communication, subscribers to mobile broadcasting services in South Korea have exceeded 6.4 million in May. The technology launched in 2005 allows consumers to receive audio and video data on mobile devices such as cell phones, car navigation systems and portable multimedia players. The report said there were 5.3 million terrestrial DMB device users and 1.1 million satellite DMB subscribers. According to the data, of the terrestrial DMB users, 2.3 million received broadcasts through car navigation devices, 2 million through mobile phones and the rest through portable multimedia players and other devices, the data showed. Of the 1.1 million satellite DMB subscribers, 1 million received the service via mobile phone. Terrestrial DMB is free, but revenues are generated when subscribers pay monthly fees for satellite DMB services.
Hardware
ò In what is seen as the peak of high-end televisions, Samsung Electronics announced the debut of a 70-inch full high-definition LCD TV that has the world's largest commercially available LCD panel. On record, the appliance is seen as an exceptional piece of technology as most consumers prefer their LCD TVs around 40 inches. Sharp holds the record of putting on the market the next largest LCD TV on the market, with its 65-inch display. Samsung also said that in line with the trend in big screen TVs, it plans to release the 70-incher to the rest of the world starting with Europe in the second half of this year.
ò LG Group announced that its market capitalization has topped 50 trillion won (US$54.1 billion) for the first time, with the total market value of twelve LG Group affiliates adding more than 1 trillion won (US$1 billion) to hit 50.7 trillion won (US$55 billion). The figure marks a 40 percent climb from the business groupÆs market capitalization early this year. In terms of market capitalization, Samsung Group leads the pack, followed by LG, Hyundai Motor and SK. Industry observers attribute the growth in LG's market value to the rising stock prices of affiliates such as LG Electronics, LG Philips LCD and LG Chem.
Telecommunications
ò BigBand Networks, Inc., a global provider of broadband multimedia infrastructure for video, voice and data, announced that South Korean cable operator Keumkang Cable Networks has deployed the Broadband Multimedia-Services Router (BMR) to deliver digital television service. Keumkang purchased the equipment through BigBand's Korean partner, Cudo Communications. Keumkang Cable serves a large region southwest of Seoul, surrounding the Korean city of Iksan. The operator offers 110 channels of digital television, pay per view services and high-speed Internet. Industry observers note that the South Korean cable industry is one of the more advanced in the world; its operators offer a variety of digital video and IP services, and a wide range of content. Earlier, the South Korean government recently announced the country's plans to migrate to all-digital television services by 2012. Cudo Communications is an independent system integrator and solution provider in the digital broadcasting industry. Cudo provides customers with turnkey solutions, focusing on consulting, integration and management of high-quality digital services. BigBand Networks, Inc. provides broadband service providers with innovative network solutions designed to make it easier to move, manage and monetize video.
Semiconductors
ò Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. revealed its plan to invest some US$3.5 billion in its 10-year-old U.S. chip plant by 2008 to produce flash memory chips. Samsung is considered the worldÆs largest memory chip maker. With the investment plan, Samsung also unveiled a new NAND flash memory production line and, according to observers, marks the first time that the company revealed the total amount it will invest in the NAND facility. The plant is expected to produce flash memory chips for use in popular consumer gadgets such as cell phones and digital cameras. Samsung is the world leader in both DRAM and NAND, followed by Hynix, which is also a South Korean company, and is No. 2 in DRAM production. Toshiba is the second-largest NAND maker. Samsung said the NAND production line would begin operations in the second half of 2007. The plant located in Texas, the companyÆs only semiconductor plant outside South Korea, currently produces only DRAM chips, used in personal computers.
ò Hynix Semiconductor announced that it has sealed an agreement with Hanyang University to establish the Department of Nano Semiconductor Engineering in its graduate school. The aim of the program is to develop next-generation semiconductor technologies and educate competent researchers. The two parties expect to produce about 120 masters and doctoral students by 2013.
Ventures/Investments
ò Toshiba Corp issued a denial regarding media reports indicating that it has plans to acquire part of Royal Philips Electronics NV's stake in LG Philips LCD of South Korea. The reports mentioned that Philips was set to sell 14 percent of LG Philips LCD to Toshiba Corp. LG Philips LCD is a joint venture between Philips and South Korea's LG Electronics. In the venture, LG Electronics owns 37.9 percent while Philips holds 32.9 percent. Currently, Toshiba holds a stake of about 20 percent in LG Philips LCD's Polish subsidiary.
ò Samsung Electronics revealed its plans to build a large-scale TV factory near Moscow, with the company describing the 195,000-sq.m TV factory as worth some US$57 million. The company remains the leading brand of LCD and plasma TVs in Russia with a 20.7 market share for LCD TVs and a 22.9 percent share for plasma TVs as of April. It is followed by Philips with a 20.5 percent market share and LG Electronics with 21.8 percent. With the factory, Samsung is targeting a production of 2.2 million units annually by 2010. The Russian factory will be the ninth for SamsungÆs, with the company maintaining plants in South Korea, China, Mexico, Slovakia, Hungary, Thailand, Indonesia and Brazil.
¬ Haymarket Media Limited. All rights reserved.
