“App Store” is a buzzword for many mobile operator and Korean companies are no exception. We covered previously the launch by LG this summer and its now who SK launched yesterday its own version : www.tstore.co.kr . Tstore should go global in 2011. LG  will follow in October.

The KT proposes not only applications but also game, phone decoration, games, music, movie , education materials and funny features. Being based on the WIPI, a south-Korean middleware enabling interoperability to run application, it aims to be largely open regardless of the phone you use. The platform can be reach by visiting the website with your phone or your computer or by installing a management software. At the end of the year, Tstore should be available whatever is your telecommunication provider.

A strong developpers community is the key of a vigorous appstore and Tstore seems to be friendly towards them.  SK will propose freely to developers to use SKT DRMs, upgrade infrastructure or organize contests. The review and approval process will not be necessary for developers who already have recognition from professional organizations. Developers will pay a registration fee each year, starting next year. SK will take a 30% commission on sales revenues of applications.SK may invest in venture companies to secure contents.

In the night, many Korean cars glow with LCD screen-light. Thanks to the local custom of not naming streets, vehicles are often equipped with GPS. Moreover,  seeing a bored car driver trapped in traffic jam watching a movie is  not uncommon in Seoul,  due  to  DMB-carried TV. But a new step to convergence has been done.

[ Third-party equipement : Computer with Wibro ability ]

 Hyundai and Kia issued a joint statement with KT  today announcing the launch of cars equipped natively with WiBro starting from 2012. Long-range and in-motion internet will enable high-quality movies and driver-tailored services such as traffic conditions, weather or emergency informations.

In the global turmoil, Korean companies are on the road to fast recovery and seized this opportunity to increase marketshares.

IT exportations on recovery

At the end of last year, predictions was grim. IT exportations fell of almost 40% in January this year. However, in 8 months, the year to year basis tends to stabilize. The shrinkage was single digit in  August for the first time.

According to the Ministry of Knowledge Economy concerning the past month, IT exports fell 7.6 percent year on year to $10.6 billion, exceeding $10 billion for three consecutive months. With shipments of mobile phones, semiconductors and televisions dropping 17.9 percent to $2.28 billion, 7.2 percent to $2.88 billion and 8.6 percent to $440 million, respectively, exports were down across the board. Notably, shipments of display panels increased 7.7 percent to $2.55 billion. Exports to primary trading partners the United States, the European Union and Japan contracted 9.2 percent, 24.7 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively, but exports to China increased 3.8 percent.

Conquering martketshares

Despise the unfavorable overlook of this figures, Korean companies managed to conquer marketshares in an even-harder hit IT market. IDC firm reports that Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics combined marketshare of mobile handsets market went over 30% for the first time. They predated the marketshare of  others majors players, as the rest of Top-5 handsets manufacturers lost ground. Korean companies benefited from previous R&D and introduced many new models. But the main factor was a volatile won exchange rate, who plunged last year, as shown in the following graph.

[KRW/USD rate over 2 years]

Korean companies used this decisive advantage to compete on price, on which consumers focus more during economic crisis. Fueled with fresh incomes, companies are less impacted by cash scarcity and sustain comparatively more technology investments and marketing activities.

It will take time for competitors to catch-up : 2010 looks bright for Korean IT sector.