Tag Archives: LG

Samsung, LG begin duel in South Korea dryer market

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Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Electronics Inc. have begun their duel in the local dryer market, industry observers said Saturday, as they released new products with upgraded artificial intelligence (AI) and sanitizing features.

Industry officials expect that South Korea’s clothes dryer market could grow up to 2 million units this year, and the two electronics giants have been claiming that they will take the lion’s share in the sector.

Samsung was the first one to make the move, launching its Grande AI range of dryers on Jan. 29.


Samsung said sales of the Grande AI dryer have topped 10,000 units just a month after its launch, which is double the pace of its previous 16-kilogram dryer models.

“We believe that the dryer’s upgraded AI system; better hygiene features against dust, water residue and rust; and its slim design have led to successful sales,” Samsung said.

Samsung’s Grande AI dryers are priced between 1.89 million won (US$1,580) and 1.99 million won in South Korea depending on options.

LG threw its hat into the ring on Thursday by launching its STEAM ThinQ dryer, emphasizing its “TrueSteam” technology that focuses on sterilizing bacteria and allergens.

Citing a test result from the Korea Apparel Testing & Research Institute, LG said its latest dryer’s sanitize cycle can kill over 99.9 percent of germs found in clothing.

To boost its sales, LG said it will give away an air refresher to those who purchase its dryers by the end of this month. Those who buy its dryers with other home appliances can also get cashback rewards, it added.

LG said its new dryer will sell for between 2 million won and 2.2 million won depending on options.

Industry insiders said LG will try to redeem its reputation in the dryer market with the latest product.

LG last year announced a voluntary recall of its clothes dryers sold in South Korea over the dryers’ automatic condenser cleaning system. The move came after a series of consumer complaints that too much lint and dust accumulated in the condenser, a part that removes humidity by circulating air inside the tumble dryer.

South Korean companies resuming op

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Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and other Korean companies are sche-duled to restart their plants in China as businesses resume work after mandatory closures due to the deadly outbreak of Covid-19.

Automakers such as Hyundai, Kia, SsangYong and Renault Samsung, which had stopped their assembly lines in Korea due to a shortage of China-sourced auto parts, will also restart their operations.

However, The Korea Times said Korean businesses had only “partially” restarted and were unsure if operations would fully resume as the virus continues to spread.

Samsung’s home appliance manufacturing plants in Suzhou, China resumed work last Monday, while its Tianjin factory is set to reopen next week.

“Our business could have been disrupted if the Suzhou plant remained suspended,” a Samsung official said.

Although the Tianjin plant will restart its operations later than the Suzhou plant, any potentially negative consequences will be minimised as the plant is producing products only for consumers in the domestic Chinese market.

Arçelik filed lawsuit against LG for patent infringement

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Arçelik A.S, Turkey’s leading brand of white goods as well as smaller household electronics, filed a lawsuit against LG Electronics and its subsidiaries for patent infringement concerning its “direct drive” technology in LG’s washing machines, said Finance Yahoo.

Arçelik is also the second biggest brand of electronic goods in Europe, selling its products abroad under the Beko brand. It had a turnover of 31.9 billion TL in 2019 and receives 70 percent of its revenue from their international markets. Their BEKO products make up one-in-five home appliances sold in Britain.

“Direct drive” is an Arçelik-developed technology which prevents damage to clothes. Arçelik was granted a patent which was filed in 1997, and claims that LG is using this technology without a license.

LG Electronics showed no effort to resolve these infringement issues even after Arçelik’s warning, leaving Arçelik with no choice but to file a lawsuit,

Virus angst spills over to Korean manufacturers

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The new coronavirus-triggered angst appears to be spilling over to the Korean corporate realm as the global supply chain is feared to face some disruptions amid the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus in China, industry watchers said Sunday.

With the new coronavirus killing more than 300 people in China so far, Beijing has recently decided to extend its Lunar New Year’s holiday in some areas of the country in what could be a move that can disturb the normal operation of South Korean firms with manufacturing bases there.

The extension of the holiday that originally started Jan. 25 was earlier announced only in Hubei Province in central China, where Wuhan, the epicenter of the new virus, is located but was later expanded to other areas as the number of patients skyrocketed at an alarming pace.
South Korea’s finance ministry earlier said its economy has not yet faced direct fallout from the spread of the virus, but the country’s exports are poised to face a setback should the spread of the virus not be contained soon, industry watchers said, as local firms with production facilities in China have been suspending or scaling back their operations in the world’s No. 2 economy.

South Korea’s top tech giant Samsung Electronics Co. decided to shut down the operations of its home appliances production line in Suzhou, eastern China, until next week in tune with the extended holiday.

LG Electronics Inc. and SK Innovation Co. also plan to put off the reopening of their Chinese production line until the end of next week.

LG Chem Ltd. said it has sharply lowered the operational level of its battery line in China as well.

Korean chipmakers and display makers, on the other hand, have been maintaining the routine operation over the holiday, although LG Display Co. said it is considering closing down its facilities depending on the development of the issue.

“We already secured enough inventory in preparation for the Chinese New Year’s holiday, but it is inevitable for us to face troubles if the situation is drawn out over a long period,” a SK Innovation official said.

No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix Inc. said South Korean firms will eventually face some disruptions in their operations and production if the issue is protracted.

Industry watchers said the rapid spread of the new coronavirus has already prodded South Korean carmakers to scale down their production as the supply of some auto parts has been disrupted by the spread of the new virus.

SsangYong Motor Co. earlier said it will suspend the production of its plant in South Korea through Feb. 12 amid a delay in the supply of wiring harnesses, a part used to supply power in an automobile.

South Korean carmakers depend heavily on China for the supply of the part.

“As many auto parts makers have relocated to China to cut costs, it will not be easy for them to return home,” said Lee Hang-koo, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade.

Numerous South Korean firms, including Samsung Electronics, have kicked off task force teams, but the companies are likely to continue to face uncertainties as the new coronavirus situation is changing every minute, industry watchers added.

Samsung’s New Product Promises Garden In Your Fridge

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At the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) going on now in Las Vegas, Samsung is showing off its new Chef Garden. It’s a refrigerator that lets homemakers minimize the distance of farm-to-table to whatever it takes to get from the kitchen to the dining room.

The new Chef Garden fridge features a windowed section with its own door and place to plant a “wide variety of seed capsules” in the Growing Zone area. There, as Samsung explains, the capsules will be treated to “fogponics technology to create a nutrient fog that delivers water and nutrients to the plants.”

Chef Garden then controls conditions so they’re just right for plant growth. It predicts growth and controls harvest. And at that point, the refrigerator, part of the Samsung Family Hub line, will recommend recipes based on the fruits and vegetables you just grew.

Unlike auto shows where manufacturers sometimes show off concept cars that will never be offered to the public, the Samsung stuff is for sale. But The Chef Garden should take a fair amount of green — as in cash — to purchase, so it’s probably not for the budget-minded. Samsung has not yet released a suggested retail price.

Maybe these devices can catch the public’s imagination because they position household appliances now taken for granted differently, giving them brand-new uses.

Samsung makes it clear it’s now courting millennials, who have largely stayed away from the housing market so far, burdened by student debt, slow-rising salaries and long memories of the recession.

According to a survey from RTi Research, more than a quarter of millennials are interested in buying a home in the next year. They’re right at home with new technology that helps them save time and eliminate tasks.

Samsung claims it is now the nation’s number one appliance manufacturer, though it’s probably still best known for smartphones, TVs and laptops.

LG, the Korean electronics company that’s branched out to the kitchen and laundry room, has also launched smart refrigerators and a SteamDryer in its Ultimate Laundry Room.

LG is also showing off its True Sommelier, which helps wine lovers manage their at-home stock. Using a patent learning app from Wine Ring, the product figures out preferences and then make wine recommendations, including food and wine pairings.

Another innovation, the Samsung Whisk food platform (with the ViewInside camera), uses AI image recognition to figure out what’s in your refrigerator and use that information to recommend recipes.

Elsewhere, Samsung also announced the AirDresser, a vertical device that fits in a good-sized closet and uses steam technology to smooth out wrinkles, deodorize and sanitize your clothes, in small quantities. It takes 48 minutes to do the trick.

Samsung Reimagines Clothing Care with AirDresser, Innovative New Appliance that Refreshes and Sanitizes Clothes without Washing

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Samsung Electronics today announced the global launch of its innovative AirDresser in markets around the world, including the U.K. and Russia. Samsung’s latest home innovation uses powerful air and steam to remove dust and germs, refreshing and sanitizing clothes to provide easy and convenient garment care.

“Samsung is once again elevating modern life by transforming how we care for our clothes at home, giving consumers more freedom to spend their time doing things they want to do,” said Jennifer Song, Vice President of the Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “AirDresser is Samsung’s response to consumer demand for more dynamic performance from even basic appliances, providing an easy and effective home solution to meet their needs for clean clothes that smell fresh, are germ free and look neat.”

Refreshes Your Clothes Thoroughly
Once a garment is hung inside the unit, the user can initiate the cycle and simply wait for the system to run its course: The Jet Air and Air Hangers release powerful air to loosen and remove engrained dust, with only minimal noise and vibration, quiet enough for anywhere inside the home, including the bedroom.

Then, the JetSteam sanitizes the garments to get rid of the bacteria, viruses, and allergens.* Infusing high temperature steam deep into the fabric, JetSteam is the perfect tool for routine sterilization of clothes and many other household items such as linen and soft toys.

AirDresser also uses its Deodorizing Filter function to freshen clothes, breaking down the odor-causing particles caused by sweat, tobacco, and food, while preventing unpleasant smells from building up inside the unit. Meanwhile, Self Clean technology dehumidifies, sanitizes, and deodorizes the interior of the AirDresser without requiring harsh or costly detergents by cleaning with a combination of heat, air, and steam. It even notifies users whenever it needs cleaning every 40 cycles.

Grooms Your Wardrobe Well
AirDresser also ensures clothes are groomed gently, increasing their lifespan by helping consumers avoid washing their favorite items too frequently, which can cause damage to the delicate fabric. Heatpump Drying gently dries clothes at a low temperature, minimizing heat damage and shrinkage. And with Wrinkle Care, the AirDresser can smooth out wrinkles without ironing by using a combination of steam and air to relax the clothes.

AirDresser can also handle delicate materials such as fur, which usually requires professional service. Fur care dehumidifies 90% of the moisture trapped in fur, which increases its volume by 78% and helps maintain its original condition, thus extending its lifespan.** As a result, it can keep a wide variety of items made of fur, including coats, wraps, or shawls, looking their best for much longer.

The unit even keeps clothes outside the unit stay in optimal conditions. The Dehumidification feature draws in air from the room, extracting moisture while pushing out dry air.

Saves You Time and Money
AirDresser can also save consumers time and money when they incorporate it into their daily routines. For example, operating a complete washer-and-dryer process with just one or two items per load or going to the dry cleaners frequently is not time or cost efficient. So, using the JetSteam to sanitize and deodorize your clothes for a quick refresh makes sense. And with Jet Air and Air Hangers able to quickly remove dust off of clothes, you can confidently re-wear outfits without worrying about bad odors or hygiene. Heatpump Drying also reduces drying time with a more effective heat transfer method.

And with the AI-powered capabilities that SmartThings provides, you can enjoy better clothing care and easier maintenance. Home Care Wizard remotely identifies problems and provides a troubleshooting service, while My Closet stores details of your clothes and suggests the best courses for them.

Enrich Your Day-to-Day
Combining the technology with modern design, AirDresser offers a sleek frame that blends flawlessly in any contemporary living space. In Quiet Mode, AirDresser can be run overnight without disturbing sleep and, for added convenience, it features portable water containers for steam at the bottom, so it doesn’t require a water supply or drainage system. This also means the unit can easily be installed anywhere most suitable for the user. AirDresser lets consumers refresh their clothes every day in the comfort of their own home.

LG Expands Industry-First ‘Craft Ice’ Feature To More Refrigerator Models In 2020

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LG Electronics USA continues to redefine the art of home entertaining by expanding the industry-first LG Craft Ice™ feature to 15 additional smart refrigerator models in different sizes, configurations and premium finishes rolling out in spring 2020.LG refrigerators with Craft Ice are the first of their kind in the industry and bring one of the most prolific beverage trends into the home by automatically making slow-melting round ice (measuring 2 inches in diameter) without the hassle of manually filling and freezing ice molds.


LG refrigerators with Craft Ice are the first of their kind in the industry and bring one of the most prolific beverage trends into the home by automatically making slow-melting round ice (measuring 2 inches in diameter) without the hassle of manually filling and freezing ice molds.
LG refrigerators with Craft Ice are the first of their kind in the industry and bring one of the most prolific beverage trends into the home by automatically making slow-melting round ice (measuring 2 inches in diameter) without the hassle of manually filling and freezing ice molds.
LG Electronics USA continues to redefine the art of home entertaining by expanding the industry-first LG Craft Ice™ feature to 15 additional smart refrigerator models in different sizes, configurations and premium finishes rolling out in spring 2020.
LG Electronics USA continues to redefine the art of home entertaining by expanding the industry-first LG Craft Ice™ feature to 15 additional smart refrigerator models in different sizes, configurations and premium finishes rolling out in spring 2020.
With the ability to store up to 25 ice spheres in the freezer drawer bin and auto-replenishment, LG refrigerators with Craft Ice represent a paradigm shift for home entertaining – opening up a new frontier for home mixologists and cocktail connoisseurs, while also keeping sodas, lemonade, iced coffee, and other drinks, colder for longer.

The new 2020 models from LG, the most-awarded brand in home appliances,* offer round LG Craft Ice in the freezer drawer along with crushed and cubed ice in the refrigerator door. Each features an automatic water dispenser that measures the exact amount (4, 8, 16 or 32 ounces) of fresh, filtered water and automatically turns off when done, leaving the guesswork out of measuring for drink mixes and recipes.

The 15 new Craft Ice refrigerators announced at the 2020 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show will be offered in premium finishes including PrintProof™ Black Stainless and PrintProof Stainless Steel under the LG and LG Studio brands. They will be available in various configurations and sizes – French-door, bottom-freezer and side-by-side models in standard and counter depth – for unparalleled custom kitchen design flexibility.

The new 2020 LG Craft Ice refrigerators build on the success of the four award-winning LG InstaView™ Door-in-Door® refrigerators available now – models LRFVS3006S, LRFVS3006D, LRFVC2406S and LRFVC2406D, the first in the industry to offer this exclusive innovation. Recognized for their iconic tinted glass panel in the door, LG InstaView Refrigerators allow users to knock twice to illuminate the interior and see inside, making choosing favorite grab and go foods before opening the door easy and reducing cold air loss.

“With this expanded range of models, LG is offering a wider range of consumers access to one of hottest trends in the industry, as well as providing more exciting choices when designing their kitchen, proving that with LG there’s no need to compromise,” said David VanderWaal, senior vice president of marketing, LG Electronics USA.

Each of the Craft Ice models are equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity for enhanced convenience. Using the LG ThinQ® mobile app, users can manage LG smart refrigerators remotely, receive alerts if the refrigerator door is left open, set fresh food and freezer temperatures or turn IcePlus™ on and off. For added convenience, LG smart refrigerators respond to voice commands via Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant.

LG refrigerators with Craft Ice will also support LG Proactive Customer Care – a new smart customer service solution that leverages artificial intelligence to deliver peace of mind and enhanced customer satisfaction, along with improved product performance and longevity. The service can immediately alert users to potential problems before they occur, expedite repairs when they are needed, and offer useful maintenance tips to keep LG appliances performing their best.

The expanded 2020 line of LG Craft Ice refrigerators starts at $3,499 and will begin rolling out at retailers nationwide in March.

        LG new washer

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        LG has announced that it is launching a new Artificial Intelligence powered washing machine, which comes with the companies latest AI technology.This new Ai washing machine come with an Intelligent Direct Drive™ (AI DD) and a range of feature designed to improve washing your clothes.LG’s most intelligent washer is able to detect a mixed load of t-shirts and pants (different from bedding, delicates and other fabric combinations) and program the wash cycle to use customized motions, temperatures and times for the optimal wash. And LG’s new user-friendly ezDispense feature takes the guesswork out of detergent dosage by automatically adding the exact amount of liquid detergent and fabric softener customized for each load size at optimal times during the wash cycle for improved results. And when it comes to drying, the new LG Smart Pairing feature automatically sends the optimal dryer setting for each load directly to the compatible LG dryer for the best results every time.The intelligent washer can also connect with Amazon Alexa through LG’s ThinQ mobile app to provide notifications when the laundry detergent is running low. Customers can enable Amazon Dash Replenishment via the app to automatically reorder pre-selected supplies such as detergent and fabric softener to be delivered right to their door.

        LG To Develop First Indoor Vegetable Cultivator

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        LG Electronics (LG) will unveil an indoor gardening appliance at CES® 2020, its first foray into the booming indoor gardening movement. The revolutionary built-in column-style indoor gardening appliance employs advanced light, temperature and water control, convenient all-in-one seed packages and a growth-monitoring app to help users cultivate nutrient-rich and flavorful greens inside their own homes.

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        LG Electronics (LG) will unveil an indoor gardening appliance at CES® 2020, its first foray into the booming indoor gardening movement.
        LG Electronics (LG) will unveil an indoor gardening appliance at CES® 2020, its first foray into the booming indoor gardening movement.
        LG Electronics (LG) will unveil an indoor gardening appliance at CES® 2020, its first foray into the booming indoor gardening movement.
        LG Electronics (LG) will unveil an indoor gardening appliance at CES® 2020, its first foray into the booming indoor gardening movement.
        LG Electronics (LG) will unveil an indoor gardening appliance at CES® 2020, its first foray into the booming indoor gardening movement.
        LG Electronics (LG) will unveil an indoor gardening appliance at CES® 2020, its first foray into the booming indoor gardening movement.

        LG’s indoor gardening appliance enables even the most novice of gardeners to experience the joys of having a green thumb. Designed for the millions of consumers worldwide who seek the peace of mind in knowing exactly what’s in their food and where it comes from, the innovative indoor gardening appliance cultivates crisp, fresh herbs and vegetables all year-round; perfect for urban dwellers or anyone interested in pursuing a healthier, greener lifestyle.

        Utilizing flexible modules, the appliance replicates optimal outdoor conditions by precisely matching the temperature inside the insulated cabinet with the time of day. LED lights, forced air circulation, and wick-based water management allow seeds to transform quickly into ingredients for delicious recipes and dishes. The advanced gardening system is capable of holding up to 24 all-in-one seed packages1, enough for a family of four to enjoy the health benefits and culinary advantages of cooking with home-grown produce.

        LG’s leadership and know-how in appliance technologies are apparent in the indoor gardening cultivator. A key component of the automated gardening solution is LG’s non-circulating water supply technology, which evenly distributes the exact amount of water that the plant packages require. This core technology prevents algae growth and prevents unpleasant odors for a hygienic environment where natural herbs and leafy vegetables can grow. A companion smartphone app helps users manage and monitor their plants, offering useful guidance at each step along the way to ensure a successful harvest every time. In addition to the seeds of your choice, the all-in-one seed packages contain peat moss and fertilizer, making it easy for immediate planting. Initial packages will include 20 different varieties including romaine and other types of lettuce, arugula, chicory, and basil.

        LG’s first home gardening cultivator will be on display during CES 2020 from January 7-10 at booth #11100 in Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Follow all of LG’s CES activities and announcements on social media using #LGCES2020.

        LG recalls its clothes dryers in South Korea; offering repair for free

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        LG, on Wednesday, stated that it had recalled its dryers from South Korea. This decision was taken owing to customer complaints regarding an important component of the dryer.

        LG has made a statement saying, “Although we couldn’t find safety issues or defects regarding our dryers, we decided to voluntarily recall the products in order to serve our customers sincerely.”

        The firm has even gone further to say that it will happily provide free repairs on its dryers for all its customers. Earlier, the servicemen with the required expertise in repairing these appliances were being sent to the customers’ place in case of any complaints received. However, now LG has said that it will contact customers by itself first and offer to repair their dryers for free.

        Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) had given a recommendation to LG, which it had accepted post which it has been offering to repair its TROMM Dual Inverter Heatpump Dryers absolutely free of cost. LG has been offering free repairs since August this year.

        What was the complaint regarding these dryers?

        Apparently, there were consumer complaints that there were too much lint and dust accumulation inside the condenser of the dryer. A condenser is responsible for removing the moisture from the clothes by the process of air circulation within the dryer. All of LG’s clothes dryers come with an automatic condenser cleaning system. This simply means that there is no need for users to clean the parts all by themselves.

        LG has also stated that it has no intention of paying an amount of $85 as compensation to every consumer who has purchased its dryers. This proposal was put forth by the KCA. LG further went on to say that it is completely following the principles of its Quality Assurance program.

        Has this sort of incident occurred before?

        Whirlpool had found itself in a similar situation before, where a few of its washing machine models posed fire risks. Apparently, the washing machines that belonged to the Hotpoint and Indesit brands were recalled due to an issue with a few units in the door locking system of the appliance. As a result, this problem caused the entire appliance to overheat, which became a major fire threat. These faulty machines became responsible for about 79 of the total fires caused.

        In December this year, more than half a million machines belong to the above two brands were ordered to be recalled by Whirlpool. These machines were sold between 2014 and 2018, out of which about 20% of the appliances reported this defect.

        Likewise, the tumble dryers manufactured by Whirlpool too reported some defects, and they were recalled in huge numbers at the beginning of this year. In July, Whirlpool had recalled about 800,000 dryers after pressure from the government to issue a notice regarding the same. Again, these faulty dryers were responsible for fire hazards, although there is no connection between the faults in the washing machines and the dryers.

        Roughly, about 750 fire incidents have occurred during an 11-year span, all due to these faulty dryers. About 5.3 million tumble dryers belonging to Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, Swan, and Proline posed fire hazards.

        Although Whirlpool has decided to roll back its faulty models completely, it has been criticized for not handling the situation well enough. If reports are to be believed, these faulty appliances may not be replaced before January 2020, which means customers owning these appliances may have to manage without washing machines and dryers during the Christmas period.

        Well, one can only hope that the recalled faulty appliances are replaced with good ones that do not have any complaints