Technology show focuses on the S: slim, simple, solid

HANOVER, Germany ― The world’s top technology fair, CeBit, is now underway, and the design trends in the global mobile phone and electronic appliance markets appear to be following the rules of S ― slim, simple and solid. Korean manufacturers Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Electronics Inc. showed off their leadership in the slim phone market, while European producers Nokia and Sony Ericsson showcased products boasting simplicity. Aside from its main booth, Samsung installed another booth dedicated to slim phones, displaying bar-shaped, folding and sliding handsets only about 10 millimeters ― less than half an inch ― thick. LG showcased a super-slim digital phone that can play music files; the phone was exclusively designed by the Italian-born designer Roberto Cavalli. Featuring hand-printed animal designs, the phone costs around $1,000 and is targeted at fashion lovers and trendsetters around the world, LG explained. Korea’s third- and fourth-largest handset makers, Pantech and VK, also showed off their slim design phones G-3900 and VK530, respectively.

Sony Ericsson presented a handset under its “Walkman” brand that exemplified the “simplicity” trend. Embedded with a single jog-shuttle controller, the phone makes it easy to play MP3 music files. Nokia’s 8800 model has also foregone its operation buttons and other surface embellishments. Simplicity was also extended to electronic appliances. Samsung’s premium liquid crystal display television, under the brand name “Bordeaux,” has hidden operation buttons on its front panel. LG won a prize for its wall-type video projector at the iF Design Awards, hosted by the German Design Association. Taiwan’s BenQ-Siemens came out with two new handsets, the EF 81 and S67, whose straight lines and metallic materials give them a “solid” feel. Targeting female consumers, Nokia and BenQ-Siemens came out with handsets engraved with floral prints or displays that can be used as mirrors. Nokia’s “L’Amour” series handsets are ensconsced in smooth leather. Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics unveiled an innovative personal computer that features greatly enhanced portability and various multimedia functions. The “Ultra Mobile PC,” commercially branded the “Sens Q1,” was co-developed with two other computer and software giants: Intel Corp. and Microsoft Corp. by Hong Joo-yun, Seo Ji-eun