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Ambitious Foxconn, Buys Nokia Mobile Phone Business

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Foxconn buys Nokia mobile phone business (Source: Foxconn)

Hyunjoo Kang / jjoo@olednet.com

Foxconn, which became a focus of global attention with the Sharp takeover, bought Nokia ’s mobile phone business.

It is reported that FIH Mobile Ltd, a subsidiary of Foxconn, bought Nokia’s feature phone business from Microsoft for USD 350 million. Accordingly, Foxconn now controls Nokia feature phone’s manufacturing, sales, and distribution. Foxconn also signed strategic partnership with HMD global that oversees product development and sales. HMD global is expected to invest USD 500 million for the development of Android-based smartphone, tablet, and feature phone for the next 5 years.

Foxconn took over Sharp in March, earlier this year. With this takeover, Foxconn is estimated to acquire LCD mass production line and also gradually be equipped with OLED mass production line for mobile device and TV. DigiTimes research estimates that Foxconn will mass produce OLED panel for smartphone from 2018 and begin OLED panel mass production for TV from 2021.

Some sections of securities industry have suggested that Foxconn’s takeover of Sharp allows for vertical integration of Sharp panels, and business expansion to include set such as smartphone and TV will be possible.

That Foxconn purchased Nokia’s mobile phone business after strengthening display mass production area reinforces this idea. It could be understood as a resolve to renew itself as a set company with their own brand surpassing their main business OEM.

Some are anticipating Nokia’s return as the mobile phone leader of the past with the Foxconn’s purchase of Nokia’s mobile phone business. However, the business still struggled even after Microsoft’s takeover move in 2014 worth EUR 5,400 million. As such, many believe that it will not be easy for Nokia to reclaim their former success.

Sharp will release RoBoHoN, a robot-shaped phone

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RoBoHoN(Source : Sharp)

                                    (Source : Sharp)

Hyunjoo Kang / Reporter / jjoo@olednet.com

Sharp Corporation will release RoBoHoN, a small and easily portable robot-shaped phone.

The phone was developed in collaboration with Tomotaka Takahashi, Project Associate Professor at the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology and CEO of robot development company Robo Garage Co., Ltd. RoBoHoN is the world’s first*1 mobile robotic phone. This humanoid robot can walk on two legs and is compact enough (approx. 19.5 cm tall) to be carried almost anywhere.

Supporting LTE and 3G networks, it has all the basic mobile phone functions, such as phone, e-mail, and camera, as well as a range of services accessed through dedicated apps, all of which are used by conversing with this humanoid. A newly developed built-in compact laser projector*2 with focus-free operation allows users to project photos, videos, and maps onto a screen or wall. Users can also download dedicated apps to give it new functions and services. What’s more, it can grow to accommodate more natural communication with the user by learning the user’s profile and usage situation.

In conjunction with the product launch, an official RoBoHoN website provides users with cloud services and information on connectivity, product warranty, and how to reserve and purchase RoBoHoN.

Sharp is focusing on promoting and supporting RoBoHoN, a totally new concept in IT mobile devices.

샤프, 두발로 걷는 로봇 스마트폰 ‘RoBoHoN’ 5월 출시

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출처: 샤프

                                      샤프의 RoBoHoN.(출처: 샤프)

강현주 기자 / jjoo@olednet.com
샤프가 로봇의 모습을 한 스마트폰 ‘로보혼(RoBoHoN)’을 5월 출시할 예정이라고 14일 발표했다.
세계 최초 모바일 로봇폰인 RoBoHoN은 로보트 개발 업체 CEO 및 과학기술 분야 교수 등이 공동 개발했다.
이 휴머노이드 로봇은 두 다리로 걸을 수 있으며 19cm 길이라 휴대가 용이하다.
이 제품은 LTE와 3G 네트워크를 지원하며 전화 기능 및 이메일, 카메라 기능을 갖췄다. 빌트인 레이저 프로젝터가 내장 돼있어 사진, 동영상, 지도 등을 벽을 통해 볼 수 있다. 이용자들은 다양한 애플리케이션을 다운로드 해 새로운 기능들을 추가할 수 있다.
RoBoHoN은 이용자에 대한 학습을 통해 이용자와 더 자연스러운 소통을 하도록 성장할 수 있다는 게 샤프의 설명이다.
RoBoHoN의 소매가는 19만8천엔(세금 제외, 한화 약 207만원)이며 일본 출시일은 오는 5월 26일이 될 예정이다.