While Samsung bought Harman International primarily to bolster its IoT business, the company’s smartphone customers could see a windfall from the acquisition.
According to Korean English-language publication The Investor, Samsung is exploring potential synergies between Harman, particularly its audio competencies, and its other divisions.
“It will take time for the acquisition process to be completed, including the planned shareholders’ vote. After that, we could ramp up efforts for business synergies,” said Park Jong-hwan, senior video president of Samsung’s car parts division, at the news conference where Samsung announced the acquisition of Harman. He added, “If we are to adopt Harman’s high-end audio technology for the Galaxy S series phone, the first model could come in 2018.”
Given the recognition Harman’s four audio brands — Harman Kardon, JBL, AKG and Infinity — have in the consumer market, the move makes sense for Samsung, seeing as something like included JBL headphones could be used to differentiate future high-end Galaxy smartphones.
Samsung also used the conference to reiterate it does not plan to start manufacturing its own cars.
[source]The Investor[/source][via]SamMobile[/via]
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