Samsung profits fall 24.5% in the second quarter based on poor phone and tablet sales.

Samsung profits continue to fall for the third straight quarter. Not since the third quarter of 2012 have profits been so low. The profits were weaker than expected and blamed on poor phone and tablet sales, over-shipments of lackluster smartphones, the recently-strong Korean Won, and strong competition from the iPhone and numerous Chinese smartphone makers. Samsung faces an uphill battle to grow their phone and tablet business as loyalty to the brand falls. Users blame lackluster new phone features, poor battery life, faulty batteries, unstable Samsung-branded add-on apps, and other quality issues. As Apple prepares large-screen scratch resistant iPhones, Samsung needs to look for new growth engines as analysts predict sales to continue to lag.

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Coffee fever – Seoul has the highest number of Starbucks shops in the world.

If you’ve been to Seoul, it’s not surprise that Seoul has a record 284 Starbucks coffee shops.

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Korean exporters hurt with strong appreciation of the Won.

Korean car makers, electronics manufacturers, and other businesses are hurting with the recent rise of the Korean Won against the US dollar. While the rise helps Korean vacationers and investors, it hurts businesses who export goods to foreign countries. American car makers can offer better pricing when the Won rises in value. Continue reading

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Chinese man stranded in Korea with doodled passport.

While on vacation in South Korea, a four-year old used his father’s passport as a sketching pad. Both were not allowed to travel due to “unrecognizable documentation”.

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Ceramics exhibit at San Francisco Airport.

8 Korean ceramic artists are currently featured at the SFO Museum’s public art exhibition called Dual Natures in Ceramics. If you’re transferring through or departing SFO, you’ll find the exhibit along the walkway in Terminal 3.

Ceramics SFO 1Ceramics SFO 2 Continue reading

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How much time we spend using devices.

Fascinating infographic that breaks down daily time spent using phones, tablets, TVs, and computers. The chart includes many countries, besides Korea.
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Seoul readying women-only (pink) parking.

Female-friendly parking is set to begin in Seoul this summer under the Seoul city government’s $95mil plan. The special female-only parking will be outlined in pink and provide added comfort and security for women. Continue reading

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