iPhone 4S in Korea November 11th

The iPhone 4S will be released in Korea on November 11th, but it will not offer the Siri personal assistant service that many Western users are privy to on the new devices.  The main reason behind this was the language barrier in getting the voice-recognition software to actually recognize what a user was trying to say.  As anyone who has been in contact with English-speaking Koreans knows, many English words and phrases have been Koreanized, resulting in strange Konglish pronunciations.  In order to avoid any potential future lawsuits resulting from misunderstanding on the part of the software, Korea has decided to opt out of offering Siri on their iPhone 4S models.  This is in addition to the several other lawsuits Korea (namely Samsung) has pending again Apple at home and abroad.

Seoul and Busan through the lens of an iPhone

As I mentioned in a earlier post, I took a trip around Korea during the recent long weekend, visiting Seoul and Busan in 6 days.  Here are some photos from the trip, all from my iPhone.  I love the convenience of taking and editing pictures right on my phone, and easily uploading them.

Everybody's Toting One of Those Fancy Smartphones These Days...

Since the release of the iPhone in Korea in November 2009, the number of smartphone users in Korea has jumped considerably--from 800,000 in December 2009 to 10 million people just last week.  But these are not only iPhone users, however.  The number includes other smartphone models sold in Korea, such as Samsung's Galaxy series or LG's Optimus model.  Forty-five different smartphone models were released in Korea last year to compete with Apple.

Six out of ten people who own a smartphone are between the ages of 20 and 30, and most people are using an unlimited data plan for mobile applications.

Given the sheer numbers of people with smartphones in this country, mobile phone usage has taken on new levels and explored new realms of application.  A while ago I posted about a director who used his iPhone 4 to film and edit a music video.

The release of the iPad and Galaxy Tab last year may have added to the fervor of smartphone purchase and usage, as these devices can function the same as a smartphone with an added 3G package.  Next month will bring the debut of the iPad 2, along with a new GalaxyTab, the Motorola Xoom, and the LG Optimus Pad.  It will be interesting to see the future of smartphones/tablets in Korea, and how many more people will begin to employ their usage.

SK Telecom to sell Apple's iPhones, iPads

SK Telecom to sell Apple's iPhones, iPads

KT will soon no longer be the only vendor for Apple iPhones and iPads in Korea. Starting in March, SK will begin offering the 16GB model of the iPhone 4 with a two-year contract. Monthly payments will range from 35.000 won to 95,000 won. If a customer chooses the 35.000 won plan, he will have to pay 300,000 for the phone outright; whereas the higher plan requires no down payment.

With the US release of the iPhone 5 likely coming soon, this could likely open the door for SK to offer the latest model once it makes its Korean debut.

No other details were given regarding sales of iPads by SK, other than they could start in a few months.

How will this move affect KT's market share with Apple? Previously, SK had claimed they would not sell Apple products and instead focus on selling Korea's own Samsung models. But it seems that with the success of the iPhone 4 in Korea, along with iPad, SK now wants a piece of the pie.

Music Video Shot Using iPhone

Music Video Shot Using iPhone

Technology can do some pretty amazing things these days. Thanks to the new smartphone boom coupled with the extensive wifi and 3G networks in Korea, anything is possible it seems.

Application Recommendation: Naver Browser App

A new feature for my blog:  application recommendations for iPhone and iPod users.


Since getting my iPhone 4 last month, I've enjoyed downloading many new applications to entertain, educate, and help me in my day-to-day activities in Korea.  I want to recommend a cool application that's available for both iPhone and iPod touch.  With the newest iPod touch 4th generation just released in Korea (and boasting two cameras and an external microphone, as well as the ability for geo-location services), many apps that would only work for iPhone are now open to iPod touch users.

The Naver browser app has a voice search option, a bar code scanner, and a music search service.  This service is just like SoundHound or Shazam, but it identifies Korean music.  My SoundHound app has a lot of trouble with non-English songs, so Naver's app comes in handy when I'm out and I hear a song I like.  It brings up all the information on artist, song title, lyrics, and even does a web search on related links to that song.

The app is very cool to use, although it can sometimes have a few hiccups with identifying music or data if the network is overloaded, or if the sample you're trying to identify isn't clear enough.  With more updates in the future, these minor bugs could be worked out.

You can check out the app here.  And it's free!

Awesome Things About Korea #18: Dynamic Busan

Can't believe it's the end of September!  It seems that this month has really flown by, mostly due to the extended Chuseok vacation last week.  This year's holiday was from Tuesday to Thursday, so some people were fortunate enough to get that Monday/Friday off to make for a long holiday.  I had the Monday off myself, and used it to relax and rest before heading out to Busan on Tuesday with Britton.

Of course, many things in the city were closed as a result of the holiday but we were able to find enough things to do to enjoy our visit.  The ocean was a tad chilly to swim in, so I just did some wading and walking on the beach.  On Wednesday it rained and was quite chilly, a sure sign that fall is ushering in.  Thursday brought the return of brilliant sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures as we bid farewell to Dynamic Busan.  

While we were there, however, we checked out some spots recommended in my Moon's Guide to Korea, including the PIFF Square (home to the Busan International Film Festival), the Busan Tower (which affords you spectacular views of the city), Nampo-dong (home to a huge Lotte Mart and downtown shopping area), and Centum City, which is the largest shopping complex in Asia, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.  This building is huge!  It boasts not only tons of stores, but also a spa, ice skating rink, bookstore, and CGV movie theater among other things.  It would take all day to explore, but sadly, most of it was closed due to the holiday.  

Nonetheless, we enjoyed getting to relax and travel outside of Gwangju for a bit.  Of course, we'll have to keep in mind when traveling to Busan next time--to go when it's not a national holiday!

The Saturday before we left on our trip I was able to pick up my iPhone 4!  It definitely came in handy to take pictures and use the awesome GPS features for traveling.  I got the 32 gig model, so now I have tons of room for music and applications, something I'd been anxiously awaiting.  So far, so good--I love having it and being able to do so much with it.

All of the photos in this slideshow were taken and edited completely on my iPhone 4, with the 5MP camera and photo editing applications.

The iPhone 4 is here!

The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition): Daily News from Korea - iPhone 4 Lands in Korea

After a few frustrating months for Koreans anxiously awaiting its release, the iPhone 4 was finally available on Friday, September 10. Stores are handing out the devices to all its pre-order customers firstly, and then will offer the phone for general sales in October. Over 290,000 pre-orders were made prior to its Friday launch, which could create some serious competition for the Samsung Galaxy. The latter experienced a boom in sales following the delay of the iPhone 4 release in July.

iPhone 4 sales in S.Korea start this week - Yahoo! News

iPhone 4 sales in S.Korea start this week - Yahoo! News

After postponing its release from July 30, the IPhone 4 will finally be selling in Korea starting September 10, this Friday. The first group to receive those will be the 270,000 customers who pre-ordered theirs, after which stores will sell to other customers wishing to purchase one.

I was one of the customers who pre-ordered mine last month, so I am hoping this means mine will be coming soon!

IPhone 4 Pre-orders Have Begun

Yesterday was the first day that customers could pre-order the new IPhone 4 from either Show's website or by going into a store.  According to this article from the Joongang Daily, over 110,000 phones were pre-ordered in 9 hours.  It took the Samsung Galaxy S, offered by KT's rival SK, 5 days to reach that mark.

SK had enjoyed a boost in sales, especially of the Galaxy S, after the IPhone 4 release date was pushed back, but it seems that now KT is battling back pretty strongly.  With the new release date likely in the next few weeks, it remains to be seen which company will end up on top.

You can read the full article here.

IPhone 4 Update

Government testing on the IPhone 4 has been completed; and thus Korea has given the green light to sell the IPhone 4 in about one to two months.  This could put the release date sometime in September.  Originally scheduled for release on July 30, that plan suffered a setback when it was revealed that the proper paperwork hadn't been filed.  The paperwork was filed on July 29th, and it appeared to have only taken a few days before the phone was approved.

Good news for those of you who are waiting for it!  (And for me, too.)

You can read the full statement here.

IPhone 4 Korea Release Delayed

There has been a setback in the release of the new IPhone 4 in Korea.  Originally scheduled to be released on July 30, it is still undergoing compatibility testing here.  A new release date for the IPhone 4 hasn't been announced yet, as it is uncertain how long the testing will take, but Apple is expected to announce more release dates next month and in September.  This comes as a disappointment to many Korean customers, who were anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new IPhone.  KT had prepared for its release by selling almost their entire stock of 3GS models.  Currently, the 8gig 3GS model is the only one available for purchase on Show's website.

Looks like we will all be waiting with bated breath to see what happens next.  I know I, as well as others, are starting to growing antsy with anticipation.  And I'm hoping my current cell phone/IPod touch will last long enough to wait for the release of the IPhone 4!

You can check out the official statement from the president of KT's mobile group, as well as Korean Apple representatives here.

*Update*  Went to a SHOW store today and got my name on the list to be contacted when the IPhone 4 comes to Korea.  KT officials are optimistic that the government testing on the IPhone 4 will be completed in the next two months, so we could be looking at a mid/late August to September release date.  I will keep you updated when I hear more information.

iPhone 4 is Available in Korea on July 30 | Korea IT Times

iPhone 4 is Available in Korea on July 30 | Korea IT Times

There has been an update on the arrival of the IPhone 4 in Korea. It seems that due to some issues between Apple and KT, the release date was pushed back from early July to late July. But it will be coming on July 30th, so not too long from now!

IPhone 4G to come to Korea in early July

Following the WWDC, there is a lot of buzz about the new IPhone 4G.  The newest model will be available in the U.S. starting June 24, with preorders starting on June 15.  According to this article, the IPhone 4G will be released in Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the U.S. for the June 24 date.  Then it would come to 18 other locations, including South Korea in early July.  No exact day is set yet, but from the articles I've read in English and Korean are all indicating an early July arrival, which is good news for anyone who wants to upgrade or get their first IPhone (like me!).  Even KT's official announcement on their website confirms it will be here next month.  I'm anxiously awaiting its arrival.  Now just to decide...white or black?

Also, the exclusive provider of IPhone in Korea, KT/Show, has launched their English website to better serve the foreign community.  This website details rate plans, as well as various discounts that a customer can get with his chosen rate plan.  I hope that this will better inform and help foreign residents who are looking to sign up with KT/Show for their cellphone service.

*Edited for a few notes:  Changed the website link for KT/Show to directly link to the English portion.  Also, for those of you running Firefox or Chrome, this site might not load for you properly.  It's best to use IE.  I apologize for any inconvenience.*