SAMSUNG

Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy S3 at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona at the end of February. The finished hardware is expected to start to appear on sale at the end of March and into April.

South Korea's Samsung Total Petrochemical Co Ltd said it would invest 2 trillion won ($1.72 billion) to build an aromatics plant with annual production capacity of 1 million tons of paraxylene and 420,000 tons of benzene.

LG made a powerful statement at CES 2012 in Las Vegas on Monday, introducing its line-up of smart products including TVs, refrigerators, ovens, and vacuums.

Samsung Electronics introduced its thinnest-ever laptop, the Series 9 Notebook, which weighs 2.5 pounds and is a half-inch thick. The new computer will be priced at $1,399 for a 13-inch screen available Feb. 27.

Samsung Electronics, which is fast closing in on Apple as the No. 1 smartphone maker, announced its Galaxy Note S Pen for customers with accounts with AT&T. The new smartphone features a stylus, which executives said could be used for more than notes.

Samsung announced the Galaxy S2 Skyrocket HD Jan. 9 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas along with the AT&T Galaxy Note and Sprint Galaxy Nexus. The Galaxy S2 Skyrocket HD is the sequel to the Galaxy S2 Skyrocket, but with a larger screen, better resolution and removable battery.

Samsung Electronics Co, the world's biggest TV manufacturer, expects the global television market to grow around 7 to 8 percent this year, and aims to grow at double that rate with a company sales target of around 50 million sets.

CES 2012 officially begins Jan. 10, but companies like Lenovo have made a big push to get word of their new devices out before the show starts so they get a bit more publicity. Whether you think Microsoft leaving CES after this year is the kiss of death for the annual show or not, companies like Lenovo and Panasonic are taking advantage.

Microsoft, the No. 1 software developer, is making a major push to get its new Windows 8 onto mobile platforms, including smartphones.

Ilan Ben-Dov plans to step down as chairman of Partner Communications (PTNR.TA), Israel's second largest mobile phone operator, the company said on Sunday.

The battle between Apple Inc. and Samsung is expected to get fierce as both the smartphone makers are prepared to release their best ones in the market this year.

Samsung Techwin America has unveiled a Wi-Fi Video Baby Monitor at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Here are the some of the key trends to watch as the electronics industry moves into 2012: morphing, personalization and interfaces, said Sean Dubravac, chief economist for the Consumer Electronics Association.

The global electronics market will exceed $1 trillion for the first time, with continued gains for smartphones, tablets and Internet and LED TVs, the Consumer Electronics Association said in its 2012 forecast.

Fun gadgets like the Xbox, Tetris and home version of Pong all made their debuts at the Consumer Electronics Show, and this year's batch kicks off in just two more days. More than ever, the emphasis is on digital gadgets like Blu-ray players with USB ports and Skype.

Started in 1967 in New York, the Consumer Electronics Show revs up once more this Jan. 10 for four days of technology, and, well, more technology. While the show was originally a trade show for home stereos and televisions, it has become an all in one show for all gadgets for the home, work and leisure.

Siri, the voice-controlled intelligent assistant, has succeeded in endearing itself to Apple fans, prompting the iPhone 4S to become the best selling iPhone ever. However, even as the users enjoy interacting with their virtual assistant, Siri is being blamed for being a data hog.

The next generation iPads and iPhones are expected to feature powerful quad-core processors, according to a recent report that claimed finding references in the latest iOS 5.1 beta.

Microsoft won a patent for a GPS feature that helps the user avoid dangerous areas, such as unsafe neighborhoods, bad weather areas, and areas with unstable terrain. Many are already calling this the avoid ghetto feature.

Finnish cellphone maker Nokia has bought Norwegian technology startup Smarterphone AS to add more advanced features to its basic cellphone models.

Japan's Sony Corp will promote its consumer business chief Kazuo Hirai to the role of president as early as April, taking the title away from Howard Stringer, who is expected to remain chairman and CEO, the Nikkei newspaper reported