Samsung

After a whole bunch of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 explosions, which was followed by a recall, a Samsung’s battery factory caught fire in Tianjin, China. The incident took place on February 8th.

The firm had axed its iPhone rival in October last year after an earlier botched recall and re-release.

On Monday, Samsung said that neither software nor hardware other than the batteries were at fault.

The recall is thought to have cost $5.3bn (£4.3bn) and was hugely damaging for the South Korean firm's reputation.

It ruled that there was insufficient reason to arrest him.

He was later seen leaving the Seoul detention centre where he had been awaiting the ruling.

The allegations were part of a corruption scandal which led parliament to impeach President Park Geun-hye.

Mr Lee had been waiting for the ruling for more than 12 hours, since a hearing on Wednesday.

"The merits of this case can now be determined without the need for detention," Samsung said in response to the court order.

The firm is accused of giving large donations to non-profit foundations operated by Choi Soon-sil, a close confidante of Ms Park.

The donations were allegedly given in exchange for political support of a controversial merger.

Ms Choi has been charged with coercion and attempted fraud.

According to South Korea's Yonhap news agency, Choi Gee-sung, a Samsung vice chairman, and Chang Choong-ki, a president at the group, were being interviewed on Monday by special prosecutors about the corruption allegations.

LG showed off a set that can be fitted almost flat against a wall while Samsung teased a new kind of TV - designed to look like a painting - that displays art when not in use.

Samsung also unveiled a flagship set boasting greater brightness levels than before.

Others, including Sony, also revealed new models.

Samsung's flagship 75in (190cm) QLED 4K TV features the latest version of its quantum dot technology - tiny particles that emit different colours of light. These now feature a metal material that the firm says allows for better colour reproduction.

The update aims to encourage the few owners who have not yet returned the faulty devices to hand them in.

Samsung issued a global recall for the Galaxy Note 7 in September following complaints about exploding batteries.

It estimates that in Europe about 10% of Note 7 owners have yet to return their devices.

In a statement, Samsung, which plans to begin the changes on 15 December, said the update it issued in September that limited charging capacity to 60% "helped to drive a high rate of return".

Lawmakers were questioning leaders of big businesses in a rare TV hearing, as part of a huge corruption inquiry.

Eight firms admit donating funds linked to President Park Geun-hye, but deny seeking favours.

Parliament is due to vote on Friday on Ms Park's impeachment over the scandal.

Massive protests have been held in recent weeks demanding her resignation.

The executives are being questioned by a cross-party committee of lawmakers. The panel has no power to punish but its chairman has said the hearing is a place for apology.

Internet-connected cars will improve in-car entertainment, and be able to help with crash alerts and diagnosing engine problems.

It will also be key for driverless technology.

Samsung said automotive electronics was "a strategic priority".

The deal is the biggest overseas purchase made by a South Korean firm, and comes as Samsung is looking to recover from the withdrawal of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone.

New growth areas

The prosecutors are investigating allegations that Samsung gave money to the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, a close friend of the president.

Ms Choi is accused of using their friendship to interfere in politics and solicit business donations.

Samsung confirmed the raids to the BBC saying they had "no further comment".

President Park has apologized for her ties to Ms Choi but faces mounting calls to resign.

According to the latest reports, South Korea’s 2016 Q3 GDP has been hit by this recall. To recover from the losses, the company is busy increasing the production of its other premium offerings like Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge. A large chunk of users is exchanging the dangerous Note 7 with Galaxy S7 Edge or Galaxy S7.