Samsung loses ground to Chinese competitors and Apple

[CityFarmer]

Samsung's steam is running out...

Samsung loses ground to Chinese competitors and Apple

SEOUL — For South Korea’s Samsung Electronics, the poor results keep coming, as it loses ground to Apple and Chinese competitors.

Operating profit probably fell 60 per cent to 4.1 trillion won (S$4.91 billion) in the three months ended September from a year earlier, Samsung said in a filing yesterday. This would mark the tech giant’s weakest quarterly profit since the second quarter of 2011 and the fourth consecutive quarter of earnings decline on a yearly basis.

Sales totalled about 47 trillion won, down 20 per cent on-year. The earnings guidance comes ahead of final third-quarter results expected to be released at the end of this month.

Samsung has seen its global market share decline in annual terms for the past two quarters, said market research firm Strategy Analytics, outclassed by Apple’s iPhones in the premium segment and undercut by Chinese rivals such as Lenovo Group and Xiaomi at the bottom end. Analysts also said the new, larger iPhone 6 could win over Samsung users accustomed to larger screens.
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http://www.todayonline.com/tech/samsung-...-and-apple

[BlueKelah]

More like iPhone is getting back market share with its bigger screen. Finally they still have to follow the herd and play catch-up instead of innovate with new screens or other new tech.

However some users will still find iTunes too restrictive and costly for the apps, though if you are a developer that's where the money's at.

Apple may once again start to dominate smartphones, but it's very hard to maintain a monopoly in technology, especially without Steve Jobs around to push innovation. Apple seems to just be upgrading to match competitors (iphone 5C) and iphone 6 and 6 plus.

Wintel is still trying to get in as well to the smartphone space. I don't see them gaining much market share unless they come up with some model that's a real value for money like the google nexus line has been.

[specuvestor]

Samsung has no one to copy their innovation from anymore after Jobs' demise

[CityFarmer]

AI is the technology for global major players...

Samsung looks beyond hardware with its plans to acquire AI developers

SEOUL — Samsung is “actively looking” to acquire developers of artificial intelligence (AI) and other software as the world’s biggest smartphone maker tries to overcome declining sales.

Samsung wants to use some of its US$61 billion (S$84 billion) in cash and equivalents to help it morph into more of a software-driven company, executive vice- president Rhee In Jong said in an interview. The South Korean consumer electronics giant also is spending more to develop its own services because the global market for gadgets is saturated. “We are looking for M&A targets of all sorts in the software area,” said Mr Rhee, who runs the mobile division’s research and development business. “We are open to all possibilities, including artificial intelligence. Intelligence is no longer an option — it is a must.”
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http://www.todayonline.com/tech/samsung-...developers