Samsung's New Strategy Chief an Apple User, Cites Ecosystem Benefits and 'Stickiness'

MacRumors · Dec 13, 2012, 09:41 AM

In an interview with MIT Technology Review (via The Verge), Samsung Chief Strategy Officer Young Sohn reveals that he is in fact an Apple user. Sohn, who joined Samsung in August, uses a Mac, an iPhone, and an iPad as his personal devices, and cites Apple's ecosystem as a major advantage for the company.

Quote:

OK, so think about Apple compared to Samsung. I use a Mac, actually, at home. I've always used Mac, an iPhone, and an iPad. I also have the Galaxy. So I'm a great example.

If you look at the strengths of Apple, in a way it's not the product per se. It's that consumers like their ecosystem such as iCloud. I like that my family 6,000 miles away in Korea is able to see my schedule and see all of my contacts and photos. It is sticky, but it is a proprietary architecture.

Sohn goes on to note that he believes Samsung devices such as the Galaxy Nexus are better than the iPhone but that the convenience of Apple's connected ecosystem brings a critical aspect to the user experience. In Sohn's view, Samsung needs to move beyond its current device-centric model and work with partners to embrace a model of an open ecosystem to provide a quality user experience.

Sohn also briefly addresses Apple within the context of Samsung's effort to set up operations in Silicon Valley, noting that Samsung is focused on the broader opportunities involving 6,000 startups in the region and not driven by a desire to take on Apple on its home turf. Sohn praises Apple as "a very innovative company" and points to Apple's role as both customer and competitor of Samsung as defining their relationship.

Article Link: Samsung's New Strategy Chief an Apple User, Cites Ecosystem Benefits and 'Stickiness'

jctevere · Dec 13, 2012, 09:43 AM

We've found the mole!

STiNG Operation · Dec 13, 2012, 09:45 AM

We found him!

sulpfiction · Dec 13, 2012, 09:45 AM

They found his head in a ditch 20 minutes after this interview.

mw360 · Dec 13, 2012, 09:46 AM

Samsung Galaxy OS coming soon....

iCaleb · Dec 13, 2012, 09:47 AM

What a snake.

macnerd93 · Dec 13, 2012, 09:48 AM

Samsung's stuff is just not as nice to use as Apple's.

I've tried a lot, including their latest offerings like the SIII & the Note to me they just seem to lack an x-factor. Not sure how else to explain it.

KirkL · Dec 13, 2012, 09:49 AM

Hmm...I wonder if there are any Apple execs who use Samsung products

HishamAkhtar · Dec 13, 2012, 09:50 AM

Apple should make an ad.

abhishake · Dec 13, 2012, 09:50 AM

My God. This is so Homeland.

thedeejay · Dec 13, 2012, 09:51 AM

In the evening news:

New Strategy Chief to be let go today

SaaGua · Dec 13, 2012, 09:52 AM

Next story...

Samsung's NEW New Strategy Chief, replacing the current Mr. Sohn...

zhandri · Dec 13, 2012, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KirkL

Hmm...I wonder if there are any Apple execs who use Samsung products

i heard some apple guys use the S3 as placemats at home.apparently they are easy to whipe off

Hexley · Dec 13, 2012, 09:52 AM

Finally, an honest Samsung employee!

Will do good · Dec 13, 2012, 09:54 AM

This is a scary guy, know you enemy well and you can defeat him.

JayLenochiniMac · Dec 13, 2012, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacRumors

Sohn goes on to note that he believes Samsung devices such as the Galaxy Nexus are better than the iPhone but that the convenience of Apple's connected ecosystem brings a critical aspect to the user experience.

Who does that sound like? The many fandroids here who can't help but visit the iPhone forum on a daily basis. They know internally that the iPhone is the better device.

Hellhammer · Dec 13, 2012, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sulpfiction

They found his head in a ditch 20 minutes after this interview.

I met several Samsung executives when I was in Korea and quite a few of them had an iPhone. They weren't trying to hide them and in fact, they even made a little fun of me since I have an old 3GS.

Hakone · Dec 13, 2012, 09:59 AM

You have to understand your competition to see what the other consumers like about their products.

bfreecity · Dec 13, 2012, 09:59 AM

This just in:

Samsung exec figures out Apple has sound business strategy!

Next week...

Samsung exec opines that Apple probably hires "good product designers" and that the Apple logo is "recognizable."

2bikes · Dec 13, 2012, 09:59 AM

So he doesn't copy Apple?

incoherent1 · Dec 13, 2012, 10:00 AM

This is getting interesting. In my mind, the more competitors like Samsung try to compete with Apple on its home turf (e.g. ecosystems like iCloud, etc.), the better everyone's products will get (whether you're an Apple or Android user), so I say bring it on!

Just hoping they learned their lesson on patent infringement and actually invent rather than copy...

Mr. Gates · Dec 13, 2012, 10:00 AM

So he is basically saying Samsung is working on their own version of iCloud sync features.

Cool beans

Confuzzzed · Dec 13, 2012, 10:02 AM

Maybe it is with a sense of irony he cited iCloud as a reason for retaining customers?

Michael73 · Dec 13, 2012, 10:03 AM

Funny...personally using Apply products is every competitor's dirty little secret

doomfront · Dec 13, 2012, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macnerd93

Samsung's stuff is just not as nice to use as Apple's.

I've tried a lot, including their latest offerings like the SIII & the Note to me they just seem to lack an x-factor. Not sure how else to explain it.

Sure you did.

Dec 13, 2012, 09:45 AM	#3
STiNG Operation macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: The Zoo	We found him! __________________ If you want to know what people think of you, pull up your Facebook and judge yourself. Image
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Dec 13, 2012, 09:48 AM	#7
macnerd93 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: United kingdom	Samsung's stuff is just not as nice to use as Apple's. I've tried a lot, including their latest offerings like the SIII & the Note to me they just seem to lack an x-factor. Not sure how else to explain it. __________________ 21.5'' iMac, Power Mac G5 Dual, Apple Studio Display, MacBook Pro, MacBook, Mac minis x2, eMac, Power Mac G4 Graphite, Power Mac G4 QS, iPod 4th Gen Click Wheel, iPad 2, iPhone 4S,
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Dec 13, 2012, 09:50 AM	#9
HishamAkhtar macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2011	Apple should make an ad.
	22

Dec 13, 2012, 09:50 AM	#10
abhishake macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2005	My God. This is so Homeland. __________________ Once you go Mac, you never go back.
	3

Dec 13, 2012, 09:52 AM	#12
SaaGua macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2010	Samsung's NEW New Strategy Chief Next story... Samsung's NEW New Strategy Chief, replacing the current Mr. Sohn... __________________ Waiting for a matte screen option that will never come...
	3

Dec 13, 2012, 09:43 AM	#2
jctevere macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2009	We've found the mole!
	6

Dec 13, 2012, 09:45 AM	#4
sulpfiction macrumors 68000 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Philadelphia Area	They found his head in a ditch 20 minutes after this interview.
	9

Dec 13, 2012, 09:46 AM	#5
mw360 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2010	Samsung Galaxy OS coming soon....
	7

Dec 13, 2012, 09:47 AM	#6
iCaleb macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA	What a snake.
	1

Dec 13, 2012, 09:49 AM	#8
KirkL macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: United States	Hmm...I wonder if there are any Apple execs who use Samsung products
	7

Dec 13, 2012, 09:51 AM	#11
thedeejay macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Canada	In the evening news: New Strategy Chief to be let go today
	4

Dec 13, 2012, 09:52 AM	#14
Hexley macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2009	Finally, an honest Samsung employee!
	20

Dec 13, 2012, 09:54 AM	#15
Will do good macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Earth	This is a scary guy, know you enemy well and you can defeat him.
	7

Dec 13, 2012, 09:59 AM	#18
Hakone macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Southern California	You have to understand your competition to see what the other consumers like about their products.
	1

Dec 13, 2012, 09:59 AM	#19
bfreecity macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2010	Breaking News! This just in: Samsung exec figures out Apple has sound business strategy! Next week... Samsung exec opines that Apple probably hires "good product designers" and that the Apple logo is "recognizable."
	11

Dec 13, 2012, 09:59 AM	#20
2bikes macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2012	So he doesn't copy Apple?
	2

Dec 13, 2012, 10:00 AM	#21
incoherent1 macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2007	This is getting interesting. In my mind, the more competitors like Samsung try to compete with Apple on its home turf (e.g. ecosystems like iCloud, etc.), the better everyone's products will get (whether you're an Apple or Android user), so I say bring it on! Just hoping they learned their lesson on patent infringement and actually invent rather than copy...
	0

Dec 13, 2012, 10:00 AM	#22
Mr. Gates macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: --Redmond --------- ----------------Washington---	So he is basically saying Samsung is working on their own version of iCloud sync features. Cool beans __________________ This is a RUMOR site For speculation and discussion.Not a Fan-Club. Just because we are interested in Apple rumors it doesn't mean we should be frothing at the mouth with Apple rabid comments.
	2

Dec 13, 2012, 10:02 AM	#23
Confuzzzed macrumors 68000 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Liverpool, UK	Maybe it is with a sense of irony he cited iCloud as a reason for retaining customers?
	0

Dec 13, 2012, 10:03 AM	#24
Michael73 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2007	Funny...personally using Apply products is every competitor's dirty little secret __________________ MP 2.8GHz Octo, 12GB RAM, 8800GT, 30" ACD MBP 15.4" 2.2GHz Quad, 8GB RAM, 500GB MBA 13" 1.7GHz, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD 2TB TC, 64GB New iPad, 64GB 4S, 32GB 3GS, 3 x TV
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