Samsung knows its software needs improvement, half of R&D now focused on that objective

posted by Maxwell R. / Nov 06, 2013, 2:14 PM

Samsung knows its software needs improvement, half of R&D now focused on that objective

There are a lot of ways to tackle problems that people or companies come across. For the latter, often that solution involves money and a lot of it. Of course, it is not just the quantity of money, but what is done with it that can make the difference.

Samsung is a conglomerate. It makes clothing, chemicals, heavy equipment, large ships, all sorts of electronics and just about everything in between. Somewhere on that list is software. Samsung has a fairly comprehensive software set for its electronics.

One look at the TouchWiz experience on any recent Samsung Galaxy handset confirms this, but there are few that would say it is a perfect execution. Samsung knows this and is going to throw money at the problem – a lot of money.

Samsung spends roughly $12 billion per year on research and development. Samsung’s vice chairman and CEO, Kwon Oh-hyun said that the company is not performing as well as it should in the software side of things. Kwon has further stated that half of the R&D workforce is now focused solely on software and that the effort is likely to grow even more in the future.

Kwon’s commitment was communicated at Samsung’s first analyst meeting in years. In addition to shuffling the headcount within the company around, Samsung is looking at continuing its strategy to acquire companies that will help it with “region specific” needs.

We hope that will also mean Samsung will also optimize the performance of TouchWiz since it can burden hardware that is not of the “flagship” status.

source: The Verge

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46 Comments

1. Chris_Bakke

Posts: 247; Member since: Jan 23, 2013

Hooray!!! Sammy finally addressing the area it sorely needed the most attention!

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 2:23 PM 13

8. SAYED-EJAZ

Posts: 225; Member since: Oct 10, 2013

Before there were a article in Phonearena, 'samsung knows its software is weak' , the present title suits better .

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 3:07 PM 5

19. InspectorGadget80 unregistered

Less touchwiz action or at least STOCK VERSION of ANDROID

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 8:20 PM 1

35. cc3493

Posts: 158; Member since: Jul 06, 2013

Why do so many people want the stock version? A good part about samsung is the software features (yes, NOT BLOATWARE) and the BEST PART about andriod is that android users like is the fact that android is open source, allowing OEMS to play around a bit. If you want the stock version go with nexus or something. I like the fact that each company has its own version of android. Its like a different style and experience but you still have access to the play store and all the basic goodies that come with android + more.

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 10:56 PM 3

22. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Software wouldn't be the only thing actually.

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 8:52 PM 4

34. SlimSoulja86

Posts: 660; Member since: Nov 03, 2011

Mxyzptlk ur an embarrassment to us Apple fans, bcos u sound like an empty tin can without any knowledge or love of technology with empty comments. Come on man, grow up, I know you don't get much attention at home and you get it here, cos some ppl still respond to your comments. Like really?

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 10:33 PM 4

39. Trex95

Posts: 2383; Member since: Mar 03, 2013

Actually Samsung need to change lot of staff in there Galaxy's flagship like what HTC did with HTC one.

posted on Nov 07, 2013, 1:20 AM 1

23. Long1

Posts: 399; Member since: May 18, 2013

What a bunch of crap is this iArticle. Just because Samsung put 12 bill in R&D, all the iMedia scream as one: "Samsung admit that they are not good in software" or "Samung admit that TouchWiz is not good, and we told you that" O...M...G.... You are sick iMorons.

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 8:54 PM 0

26. Chris_Bakke

Posts: 247; Member since: Jan 23, 2013

I didn't read this as a Pro Apple article, I read it as Samsung admitting it has flaws in its products, and working to get them better. So they can bring us the consumers better and better products.

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 9:16 PM 1

31. Long1

Posts: 399; Member since: May 18, 2013

What "admiting"? Nothing in the Word is so perfect , that can not be made better. Even your iPhone, moron. If Apple annonce 12 bill in R&D, would you read in the iMedia articles that Apple "admitting it has flaws in its products, and working to get them better"

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 10:01 PM 0

38. Chris_Bakke

Posts: 247; Member since: Jan 23, 2013

I don't own an iPhone you moron, proud Samsung Galaxy S4 owner here. I am glad Samsung is working to get better. I've taken off a lot of bloatware off my phone to help with the lag I experience from time to time. You need to stop your hatred of all things Apple, seriously you peevish simpleton. And, yes, the word is admitting, not admiting. So next time, check yourself before you wreck yourself, both in spelling and fact checking.

posted on Nov 07, 2013, 12:29 AM 1

43. Long1

Posts: 399; Member since: May 18, 2013

If Apple put 12 bill in R&D will you read such article: "Apple knows its software needs improvement, half of R&D now focused on that objective" Or, I bet, the articles in the iMedia will have this title: "Apple say- even the best can be better- and will prove it with 12 bill in R&D" And all of you iMorons will worship Apple again. LOL (see, I don't buy this " proud Samsung Galaxy S4 owner here" , old iTrick)

posted on Nov 07, 2013, 10:27 AM 0

44. Chris_Bakke

Posts: 247; Member since: Jan 23, 2013

I am a Samsung fanboy, I love everything Samsung puts on the market. I got my brother a Note 3, my mom a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, and my dad a Tab 3 8.0. Our fridge is Samsung, our biggest TV is Samsung. I owned a GS2. I am waiting for the Note 4. I don't like Apple plain and simple. Samsung has flaws, I can admit that. I don't pretend they are perfect, but I can say I am not a angry, ravenous fanboy unlike you. I don't like iFapple fans either.

posted on Nov 07, 2013, 11:31 AM 0

45. Chris_Bakke

Posts: 247; Member since: Jan 23, 2013

There now my Profile Pic even shows it, so Na Na Poo Poo, Stick Your Head In Doo Doo

posted on Nov 07, 2013, 11:34 AM 0

46. Chris_Bakke

Posts: 247; Member since: Jan 23, 2013

Or check out my HAD/HAVE/WANT phone section, I update it regularly.

posted on Nov 07, 2013, 11:46 AM 0

2. CanYouSeeTheLight

Posts: 1122; Member since: Jul 05, 2012

"We hope that will also mean Samsung will also optimize the performance of TouchWiz since it can burden hardware that is not of the “flagship” status." They also managed to burden the Galaxy S4, but they probably have fixed it by now. Anyway this is good for Samsung, i've never been a fan of Touchwiz as it feels and looks too bloated, let's hope Samsung approaches stock Android more.

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 2:29 PM 1

3. WHoyton1

Posts: 1635; Member since: Feb 21, 2013

If you find the problem you can find the solution... well done sammy!

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 2:36 PM 4

4. zuckerboy

Posts: 898; Member since: Dec 22, 2011

also they need to facus design and camera. they released ugly looking cheap plastic phones

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 2:41 PM 2

5. jaytai0106

Posts: 1888; Member since: Mar 30, 2011

Strip TouchWiz and use stock android :P then half of R&D can go out for a drink

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 2:42 PM 5

6. md227a

Posts: 229; Member since: Mar 20, 2012

So you mean the Google play edition lol

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 2:53 PM 2

10. SAYED-EJAZ

Posts: 225; Member since: Oct 10, 2013

Personally I dont like naked stock android, even thousands of cheap china sets are with stock. Actually we are paying for touchwiz softwares so R&D is needed for it. For example : I can throw video or music in my phone to my tv which is not possible in stock.

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 3:16 PM 7

14. AwesomestMaximuss

Posts: 148; Member since: Jul 09, 2013

Exactly,,,stock android is light,which is a good and a bad thing,,it puts less pressure on hardware and hence runs smooth but it also lacks a lot of features that touchwiz has.. And touchwiz may not look very good,but neither does stock android..beauty of android is that u can customize most of it without rooting and stuff,,,and tha part u cant customize(menus etc) are better on touchwiz imho.

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 4:19 PM 5

24. Long1

Posts: 399; Member since: May 18, 2013

TouchWiz is THE BEST THING that happen to Android. But you can buy Google Edition.

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 8:59 PM 3

36. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

I prefer Touch wiz over stock. I have also test and enable features like smart stay that detect whether i am looking at the screen and prevent it from Dimming or switching the screen off. Default screen time out could than be set lowest 15 seconds without negatively affecting by unwanted screen off after timeout. This help conserve battery life because we don't have to always remember to press the power button to switch off the screen.

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 11:36 PM 2

7. nctx77

Posts: 2540; Member since: Sep 03, 2013

So, touch wiz crap, the materials on the phone is crap,.....why are all the android fanboys buying samsung devices? Is it because they are the only one that can compete with apple money wise? HTC had better phones

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 3:03 PM 4

9. SAYED-EJAZ

Posts: 225; Member since: Oct 10, 2013

Htc is actually nothing infront of samsung. Their ultrapixel was a Blunder.

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 3:10 PM 12

12. Jillsandwich

Posts: 63; Member since: Oct 24, 2011

Sense > Touch Wiz Super LCD > Amoled HTC hardware > Samsuck hardware So, yes, HTC has quite a bit on Sammy.

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 3:55 PM 3

13. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

Sense < TouchWiz Super LCD < AMOLED HTC's Hardware < Samsung's hardware There you go. All better now.

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 4:13 PM 12

20. Jobayer

Posts: 167; Member since: Feb 22, 2013

Sense < TouchWiz AMOLED < Super LCD < AMOLED plus HTC's Hardware < Samsung's hardware You stand corrected :D

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 8:24 PM 1

29. Gemmol

Posts: 793; Member since: Nov 09, 2011

I think its both of yall opinions for the first one, the second one I would choose real colors over amoled, and number 3 come on the htc one look and feel better then galaxy phone or note

posted on Nov 06, 2013, 9:45 PM 0

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