hiptechblog.com » Korea

LG SB190: New Slider Cellphone For Korea

Leon — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 17:05:33 +0000

Another cellphone that is Korea-only for now. The LG SB190 comes in white, and has a number of noteworthy features such as DMB and GPS. Perhaps the 1.3-megapixel camera is the biggest letdown.

It is expected to be available at SK Telecom soon, and hopefully in Europe soon after.

Samsung’s Sentry Robot That Kills On Sight

Leon — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 09:55:24 +0000

I suppose the revenue generated from Samsung’s cellphones, mp3 players, and other electronics are not satisfactorily, and they had to look into other markets. A sentry robot that shoots on sight, did you expect that from Samsung?

The robot is able to detect motion with its built-in camera. It even has night vision so darkness doesn’t really bothers it. It is also able to differentiate between human and trees. The machine will be available late in 2007, priced at US$200,000.

The South Korean government plans to deploy these friendly reminders on the border between South and North Korea, to further ease relations between the countries. Or, maybe it’s the other way around.

Yeah, no way is pointing a gun at someone a way to “ease relations”!

Korean Air Force Hiring Gamers

Leon — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 16:33:33 +0000

Starting next month, the South Korean Air Force will begin recruiting professional online Korean gamers (read: pros who has gaming as a job) for development of their war-simulation programs. Just like over here in Singapore, any men over the age of 20 have to serve in the military for 24 to 28 months. This alternate form of military service will allow the country’s pro-gamers to continue honing their fragging skills, which are necessary if they were to continue working as a pro-gamer after the service.

“Generally, professional gamers are very skilled in dealing with computer-related things. We’re sure their capabilities will produce a substantial synergy effect for the military’s online programs”, said First Lieutenant Park Seung-yup of the Defense Ministry’s public affairs office.

What they’ll do in the military is kind of like beta testing and providing feedbacks so the training programs can be improved. If you are a Korean guy, there’s no need to get jealous yet. As at this time, only five were selected for this recruitment.