Catch the 'Remote Education' Trend... LG Electronics and Naver Launch 'Whalebook'

Cloud-Based Laptop Equipped with 'Whale Space'

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] As demand for non-face-to-face (untact) education increases due to COVID-19, a new concept laptop equipped with Naver's education platform has been released.

LG Electronics announced on the 15th that it will launch the 'Whalebook,' equipped with Naver's education platform 'Whale Space.' Whale Space is a browser-based education platform that connects educational services through an integrated account.

LG Electronics and Naver have been jointly developing the Whalebook since signing a 'Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Smart Education Business Cooperation' earlier this year. The two companies aim to contribute to the spread of smart education based on their educational software, hardware, and distribution capabilities.

The Whalebook is a cloud-based laptop running on 'Whale OS,' offering fast boot speed and a convenient user environment through Naver or Whale Space accounts. With a single account, users can access various Naver services such as Naver Band, Naver Works, and Whale On, while blocking access to unnecessary sites during untact classes.

The new product features a 14-inch screen, larger than a typical tablet PC, enhancing learning immersion. It weighs 1.45kg, about the weight of a book, making it easy to hold with one hand, and is equipped with an HD quality webcam and built-in microphone. It also includes shortcut keys for Whale On, Naver's video conferencing and education service.

Compared to tablet PCs widely used in untact education, the Whalebook has the advantage of allowing the use of a keyboard and mouse. Tablet PCs require a separate keypad input window that obstructs the learning screen, causing inconvenience. In contrast, the Whalebook allows the entire screen to be used for educational content.

LG Electronics plans to introduce this product to the business-to-business (B2B) market in October and later expand sales to the business-to-consumer (B2C) market. The new product's retail price is 550,000 KRW.