HONG KONG–While many Asian technology companies expressed sadness over Steve Jobs's death, investors in Asia reacted differently, with major technology companies rising in Thursday's morning session following the news.
For competitors in Asia, any fall-off in Apple's marketing prowess could spell an opportunity.
"Jobs's demise raises uncertainties to the future innovations of Apple. The big question is whether Apple can continue living up to consumer's high expectations," said HSBC analyst Jenny Lai.
Apple's product launches acted as a catalyst across Asia, leading competitors like Samsung Electronics Co. and Lenovo Group Ltd. to launch similar devices to compete. The race to grab more market share has also led to a global patent dispute between Apple and Samsung.
Samsung Electronics Co., Apple's major competitor in smartphones and tablets, but also a key supplier of chips and liquid crystal displays to Apple, said in statement Thursday it is saddened to hear about Mr. Jobs' passing. Samsung's shares were up 4% at KRW878,000, while LG Display Co., which makes LCD panels for iPads, rose 11% to KRW20,250.
"Chairman Steve Jobs introduced numerous revolutionary changes to the information-technology industry and was a great entrepreneur. His innovative sprit and remarkable accomplishments will forever be remembered by people around the world," Samsung Chief Executive Choi Gee-sung said in a statement.
Most of Apple's key suppliers are based in Asia, raising questions about business continuity. Asian component makers have benefitted from a boost in sales as Apple's products such as the iPhone and the iPad tablet computer lifted demand for their components such as memory chips, flat-panel displays and touch-screen panels.
But Ms. Lai said suppliers in Taiwan won't be impacted in the near term as Apple's product roadmap is already set for a least one year.
Shares in Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., which assembles Apple's products, rose 3.7% to NT$70.10, while Catcher Technology Co. Ltd., which makes metal casings for Apple devices, rose 2.6% to NT$175.50. Wintek, which makes touch panels, rose 7% to NT$24.50.
Lenovo, the world's third-largest PC maker by revenue, said Steve Jobs' achievements are "unmatched in our time."
"Today, the world lost one of its greatest innovators and visionaries with the passing of Steve Jobs...while we will all feel this enormous loss, I am confident that this industry will take to heart the lessons Steve taught us about innovation," Lenovo Chief Executive Yuanqing Yang said in a statement.
Howard Stringer, chairman, chief executive and president of Sony Corp. of Japan said: "the digital age has lost its leading light, but Steve's innovation and creativity will inspire dreamers and thinkers for generations."
Taiwan-based Quanta Computer Inc., which manufactures Apple's Macbooks, expressed confidence on maintaining its relationship and growth with Apple and called the death of Mr. Jobs a tragedy. Quanta is the world's largest contract maker of notebook PCs by shipments. Quanta shares rose 1.7% to NT$59.50.
"Steve had an immeasurable and positive impact on the lives of people around the world and the global electronics industry is all the better for the many contributions he made to ensuring that technology is understandable, beautiful, and, most importantly, accessible to people from all walks of life," Hon Hai said in a statement.
Shares in HTC Corp., which competes with Apple in smartphones and offers phones based onGoogle Inc.'s Android operating system and Microsoft Corp. software, rose 2.4% to NT$692.00. Analysts said the stock is getting a boost after lukewarm reception to Apple's iPhone 4S which was unveiled in the U.S. on Wednesday.
—Lorraine Luk in Taipei, Owen Fletcher in Beijing, Daisuke Wakabayashi in Tokyo and Alastair Gale in Seoul contributed to this article. Paul Mozur and Yun-Hee Kim
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