Samsung Electronics

A Samsung software update has reportedly bricked or frozen the displays of its smart refrigerators, leaving owners with unresponsive appliances. Reports of the mishap are circulating among tech communities, with users criticizing the company for pushing an update that disabled hardware rather than improving it. The episode has renewed concerns about the risks of connecting everyday household appliances to the internet and relying on remotely pushed software.

South Korean suppliers to Apple, including Samsung Electronics and LG, are seeing their profits squeezed even as the launch of the new iPhone Duo drives strong demand. Rising component costs and Apple's pricing pressure on its supply chain are weighing on margins, raising questions about how much the iPhone cycle actually benefits Korean component makers.