Samsung stakes claim to leadership in the ‘mobile age’

TAIPEI ― The age of mobile convergence is here, as most technology functions are now available on one’s cellphone, a product of revolutionary development in semiconductor technology, said Samsung Electronics President Hwang Chang-gyu. In his keynote speech at the second annual Samsung Mobile Solution Forum, which took place at the Westin Taipei Hotel, Mr. Hwang gave an optimistic outlook on how markets are migrating to mobile technology. “The concept of customization is now being widely adopted by wireless system developers in an increasing commitment to make electronic devices more user-friendly and convenient. Mobile and digital consumer markets will take the lead in user-friendly convergence with IT mobilization not far behind,” he predicted. “Samsung’s mobile solutions will facilitate that convergence with a rapid pace of technological advancement in the areas of memory devices, system semiconductors and flat-panel liquid crystal display screens.” Until now, the information technology industry was led by personal computers, but from now on, mobile devices and digital appliances will lead the market, Mr. Hwang said. He added that the company will convert its business, so that its main role will be a comprehensive mobile solution provider. In three years, sales of semiconductors for mobile-related products will amount to 50 percent of Samsung’s entire semiconductor sales. About 1,000 people attended the forum, in which Samsung outlined several key trends and strategies that it is deploying to address upcoming mobile design challenges. The firm also announced several additions to its future-tech lineup: the world’s first 1-gigabit mobile DRAM chip, a system-in system package, a 1-gigabit NAND flash memory chip and a 2.5-inch special liquid crystal display for MP3 players. “Intel initiated the PC age, but the mobile age will be opened up by Samsung,” a Samsung representative said. by Lee Hyun-sang