LG's first 3D smartphone

LG to launch first 3D smartphone

The handset will feature a 3D camera and a screen that, to view the 3D images, does not need special glasses. The handset will use technology similar to the Nintendo 3D. A special screen will transmit two differing images to the viewer and a different image must reach each eye to see the 3D effect.

LG has been moving aggressively into the 3D TV market in the UK,securing a deal to be the "preferred supplier" to Sky, which has launched a 3D channel.

LG claims the Optimus 3D will be "a complete platform for a one-of-a-kind experience on a mobile device," allowing content to be created and viewed, and then connected to full-screen devices.

LG launched a £6m cinema ad campaign last year, showing its debut cinema ads before 3D versions of films 'Tron Legacy' and 'The Chronicles of Narnia'.

Samsung enters education sector

Samsung enters classrooms with smart solutions

Durables and appliances brand Samsung India has forayed into the education business with the company introducing its interactive e-boards for classrooms. The company is targeting 20,000 educational institutions pan-India to deploy its smart solution.

Samsung said it expects a revenue of $100 million to come from the IT and mobility business during 2011 (January-December period). At present, the vertical earns a revenue of $38 million.

As schools transitions towards a purposeful e-learning environment, Samsung e-board offers new technologies to increase participations and classroom interactivity. The interactive e-board will make classroom experience more interactive.

According to estimates, the kindergarten to grade 12 (K-12) market in India accounts for a substantial share of the total education market. This segment is estimated to be worth Rs 20 billion and is expected to be grow at 14 per cent per annum.

E-learning market in India, though a niche category, comprises digital content in private schools, ICT programme of Government for Government schools and online education market. Several companies in the past have ventured into the business. Educomp, Dell and Smart Technologies are among those who provide content and also deploy smart solutions.

The company expects at least 25 per cent of its revenues to come from the education sector. The education initiatives have been placed under four major categories including Smart Classroom, Smart Teacher, Smart Student and Smart School, among others.

The company will be working with 15 channel partners to deploy its product and will be present in 22 cities by September.

Philips buys Preethi

Philips buys Preethi to grow in South India:

                

Philips has agreed to buy South Indian home appliances brand Preethi for over Rs 350 crore in one of the largest M&A transactions in the intensely-competitive home appliances market in the country. The deal involves the purchase of the Preethi brand along with manufacturing facilities and after-sales divisions. Maya Appliances, which makes and owns the Preethi brand name, will continue to function as a separate company.

Preethi mixers are a popular brand in the South and Philips will get access to a large market with dedicated plants and after-sales service. The Indian mixer market is estimated to be around Rs 1,400 crore and around 4.8 million units are sold every year. Preethi alone sells around 1.6 million units. Preethi, which has been trying to expand in the north and west, will be able to do so, riding on Philips’ dealer network.

The deal is expected to close by the first quarter of next fiscal. Maya Appliances reported sales of Rs 300 crore for the year ended March, 2010 and plans to touch Rs 400 crore this fiscal. Preethi was established in 1978 and 850 employees work on the brand. The brand has seen double-digit revenue growth for several years.

Since launching Their first products over 30 years ago, Preethi has grown into one of the most successful and trusted kitchen appliance brands in India. 

Now Maya Appliances have an even brighter future with Philips. The combined strength two organisations will benefit both their customers and employees.

To capture growth in kitchen appliances, Philips need to intimately understand local consumer needs and deliver the right solutions. By building on Preethi’s unique local knowledge, heritage of quality and substantial distributor and dealer network, They are well positioned to drive growth in one of the world’s most dynamic kitchen appliance markets.

Philips will also use Preethi’s manufacturing facility to make some other products. The brand was manufactured from seven locations - four in Himachal Pradesh and three in Tamil Nadu - and is now planning to set up one more near Chennai with an investment of Rs 30 crore.

Consumer Durables: price hikes

Durables to feel the heat of higher steel prices:

Rising steel prices are likely to have an impact on the durables industry, with the sector mulling a round of price hikes. Prices of refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners could move up 2-10 per cent in the near-term.

While a slew of companies in the durables business such as Samsung and Godrej has raised prices 1-4 per cent, many like Whirlpool, Haier and Panasonic are contemplating a hike too. Industry watchers observe that air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators could be costlier by 5-10 per cent. They note that the price hike is also due to rise in prices of other components such as copper and polymer.

Earlier this week, the largest steel maker, the Steel Authority of India Ltd, increased the prices of its products by three per cent or Rs 1,000 a tonne. Private players such as Tata Steel and JSW have also hiked prices following higher input costs.

Samsung India, have undertaken a one-five per cent price hike with immediate effect. Prices of direct cool refrigerator could move up anywhere between Rs 100 and Rs 1,000 while prices of semi-automatic washing machines have been increased by Rs 200. The biggest impact has been on air-conditioners which will see a hike of nearly 10 per cent.

The Haier India, would shortly announce a 3-5 per cent price hike on products like washing machines and air conditioners, among others.

Air conditioners are likely to have the maximum mark-up as use of steel is highest. Steel accounts for nearly 25-30 per cent of its input materials. Prices of steel and copper are at an all-time high. Costs have gone up tremendously in the last one year.

Inflation

Industry watchers note that the hike will have an impact on the margins of the companies. Panasonic India, try to absorb the maximum increase of commodity price hikes. Currently, they are not intending to pass it on to the consumers. However, if commodity prices continue to move up further, they will also have to undertake a price correction.