LG Electronics' Thinq technology will allow smartphones and tablets to control and communicate with some of the company's home appliances, including ovens, refrigerators, washing machines and a robotic vacuum cleaner, the company announced on Monday.

Samsung Electronics and LG Display, the world's top two flat-panel makers by shipments, received approval from the Chinese government to set up LCD manufacturing plants in the mainland, two people familiar with the matter said Friday, highlighting the next big wave for LCD makers, which had previously preferred to keep their technology at home.

LG Electronics said that it had scrapped a plan to launch a tablet computer based on Google Inc's Android 2.2 operation system known as "Froyo," a decision that may delay the rollout of its first tablet PC slated for next quarter.

LG Group said on September 17 it will not buy Hynix Semiconductor, dismissing market speculation that the group will join a bidding race for the purchase of a major stake in the memory chipmaker.

Koo Bon-joon, the head of trading firm LG International, will take over from Nam Yong, who resigned from the top job to take responsibility for poor management, LG said on Friday.