TechnoKimchi

So again, one of the biggest reasons I might want to buy iPhone 4 is, obviously, it's sleek design. Apple has done it again. Now, the iPhone 4 vs Galaxy S is a hot topic in Korea and there's been many chatters online.

Now, to my surprise, there's been speculation that iPhone 4's design actually came from Korea. It probably makes you go "what?" But I must say "Haha, brilliant." to the claim. It's just funny; it's funny not because it's stupid, but because it's creative. Oh, how I love the creativity of the Korean Internet netizens.

Here's the evidence for the claim: a picture taken from the Korean subway station's entry gate:

DeathMatch: iPhone 4 vs Galaxy S!!!!

... or.. at least that's the title around which Samsung tried to create a buzz. Samsung's Galaxy S was officially introduced to public only 10 HRS after iPhone 4 was.

What a coincidence!

You search for "Galaxy S" on Naver news/blogs, pretty much every single article was written with the title "iPhone 4 vs Galaxy S." Now, somewhat sadly, iPhone creates a distinctly bigger buzz in Korea; so either you search for 'iPhone 4' or 'Galaxy S', you'll end up learning something about Galaxy S. I had a brief Twitter discussion with some other Korean twitterers, but many think the same. It seems like Samsung "used" iPhone for its own publicity. Especially, given the fact Samsung has a huge influence over any major media outlets in Korea and that Samsung probably sent out tons of press releases yesterday, it's quite apparent piggybacking was Samsung's strategy for Galaxy S debut.

Or Google's. Google's Andy Rubin, the father of Android, was also at the conference, calling Galaxy S "the best of the best."

One thing to notice: the iPhone 4 vs Galaxy S battle, in my opinion, doesn't count as a legit one because one is more about culture and content while the other is more about hardware. It's kind of like comparing a Korean bear against an American ferret. Yes, they'll be competing against each other in the market like a bear and a ferret would inside a zoo (for attention), but most of the articles miss the point. It's pointless to compare the two side by side because they don't give the same experience at all.

 I personally hope both do well; more "good" options, all the better for us. As for me, I'm probably sticking with Nexus One, set to come out in about 2 weeks. It's expected the phone is nearly zero-priced with 2-yr plan and will be priceless with its Mifi Hotspot feature, as I already own an iPod touch and in the midst of saving money up for an iPad.

Or should I wait and get iPhone 4 and a Samsung Galaxy Tab?

Too many choices; too much happiness; too much headache.

It was KT, the no.2 mobile carrier in Korea, that launched iPhone 2 months ago. Obviously, SKT needed counterpart smartphones of its own and decided to launch 15 Android phones in 2010 alone. The Asia-adapted model of Motorola's Droid, named MOTOROI, was the first Android phone introduced in Korea. Today, Samsung finally made an announcement about Korea's second Android phone.

Samsung had already launched 2 Android phones in the U.S last year: Galaxy and Behold 2. In the new model, Samsung completely localized the product for Korean consumers. What message do I get out of this? Samsung IS indeed very serious about the smartphone market. Samsung wants the smartphone phenomenon to happen in Korea.

Samsung's Omnia sold more than iPhone in January. Hey, does that mean Samsung easily beat Apple? Not so quick. According to an article published by Donga Daily, iPhone is far more popular than Omnia among smartphone users (link in Korean), but Samsung exerted more "local player" power on the retail side. The article even goes on to say Samsung knows such a move is nothing more than a bandaid. Samsung very much needs to start producing better smartphones.

Either way, I'm happy. As I keep saying, the Korean digital market has been dark, if not dead, for years. Now the wind of change is blowing strong and more competitions and even "confusion" are being spotted across the field. All the better for us consumers :)

Korea's two heavyweight mobile champions, Samsung and LG, will (have to) learn a lot this year, competing against Apple. It ain't just about technology no longer. It's about design, culture, ecosystem, and most importantly people.

The magical, but most obvious formula: Technology empowers and enables. Culture gives comfort. Design moves the hearts.

image from:http://pictures.deadlycomputer.com/d/30819-2/pic_3564.jpg

Yes, I did say it. In Korea, I believe Apple will soar and Google will not.

It isn't about how awesome their products and services are; it isn't about how smart their strategists are; it isn't even about how much cash they can pour into the Korean market. It's about us; the Korean people.

As I mentioned before, as much as the Internet is being used for "informational" purposes in Korea, it isn't really about efficiency and productivity here, which Google has mastered. Rather, when we say information and productivity, we mean more of "how socially compatible are you when you work with others" or even "how keen are you to what everyone else is talking about?" which is where Google might miserably fail, at least in Korea.

To be more precise, I think Google needs to be more "social" even when giving out information, which is what Naver is doing best. This is also why Google finally gave in here by portalizing itself. Information matters--only when it matters to everyone else at the same time. Google is not particularly good at this--at least not yet. The importance of social belonging and interdependence in the meaning of information is one of the major topics I'll be covering throughout 2010, so keep your eyes closely.

Now, why do I think Apple will soar? I think Apple touches upon the emotional side of the Korean consumers. As much as the tech industry is becoming more like the fashion industry, Apple represents the new "social upper class" among the Korean people. Apple is the new Louis Vuitton and the new Chanel. Asian people love luxury brands and Apple is becoming one of them.

Looking at Korea through the angles of companies--Samsung, LG, Google, Apple-- will be a fun way to learn about Korea. I've started developing a strategic framework on how to attack the Korean tech/digital industry and deeply move our minds and hearts.

I want Google to soar here as well; but that might require too much for Google's pride, at least for those in Mountain View.