Gyuyoung Kim

Software Engineer / WebKit and Chromium developer

 - E-mail: gyuyoung.kim at chromium.org  and gyuyoung.kim at webkit.org
- Blog: http://blogs.igalia.com/gyuyoung
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/gyuyoung_kim

Projects

Whale Browser in Naver Labs (Dec. 2016)

Project Description

The Whale Project aims to develop Naver's own internet browser (Website: http://whale.naver.com/), addressing the absence of a dedicated browser from Naver, the largest internet company in Korea. Unlike Google and Apple, Naver lacked its own internet browser. To address this, Naver embarked on creating an internet browser based on WebKit from 2011 onwards. This initiative led me to transition from Samsung to Naver. However, in June 2016, Naver shifted its focus to Chromium instead of WebKit due to challenges in supporting Korea's unique internet landscape. Notably, various Korean banking and government websites exclusively supported IE using ActiveX or Chrome with extensions. Moreover, there was a demand for Chrome-like extensions among many Koreans. With the transition to Chromium, our primary focus shifted to UI implementation and integration with Naver's services, given the stability of Chromium's core logic. Our goal was to enhance browser convenience and user experience. After meticulous planning, the Whale browser introduced features such as split view, sidebar, smart popup, quick search, efficient translation, mouse gestures, embedded IE view, embedded music player, widgets, and more. Currently, the Naver Whale browser is in high demand and is undergoing closed beta testing in Korea.

Participation Description

In the Whale project, my responsibilities encompass security, geolocation, and the implementation of the Whale UI. Notably, I'm closely involved in refining the UI of the IETab. Given the significance of IE mode within Korea's internet ecosystem, particularly for websites associated with banks and the government, our team integrated IE compatibility using the Chrome extension framework. This entailed combining an executable for accessing COM objects, JavaScript, and native UI. My primary focus lay in managing Chromium's native UI and JavaScript aspects to interface with the executable. Additionally, I've been instrumental in crafting various native UI elements. This includes creating Omnibox bubbles and dialog boxes in accordance with Whale's user experience guidelines using the Chromium view framework, designing a global sound mute button, implementing the Whale updater, and more. Although the Whale browser is still in its closed beta phase, I remain actively engaged in its ongoing development.

Demo videos related to my implementation

  - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oE69uAXsk9b0lCZmRmcmwtZms/view
  - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oE69uAXsk9ejBRdjlRSVA5b00/view
  - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oE69uAXsk9bVdBdk40Qk1rUm8/view

Samsung SUHD TV based on Tizen (Mar. 2015)

Project Description

The Tizen TV prototype was revealed at the Tizen Developer Conference 2014 in San Francisco. Tizen, a genuine Linux open-source operating system, brings forth qualities of stability and rapidity. The Tizen TV is designed to support the sideloading of standard Tizen tpk and widget applications. As of now, definitive product features have not been formally determined, considering that this TV is in its prototype stage. Consequently, it's not anticipated to be feature-rich at this juncture.

  - Youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKUBg9o9sgc

Participation Description

Within this project, my responsibilities encompassed overseeing page zoom, implementing smooth scrolling, and managing the viewport functionality within the web browser. The Tizen TV web browser team, comprising around 10 members, was dedicated to enhancing multimedia capabilities, refining smooth scrolling mechanics, and optimizing the overall user experience.

Our collective objective was to create a TV browser that mirrored the user-friendliness of mobile browsers on smartphones. In pursuit of this goal, my team concentrated on enabling features like smooth scrolling, the tiled backing store, and synchronized graphics functionality. These improvements aimed to enable users to navigate the TV browser with the same fluidity as they would on their smartphones.

However, our journey was not without its challenges, especially given the various defects encountered within WebKit EFL. Consequently, I dedicated time and effort to address these issues across both prototype products and the open-source environment. This comprehensive approach allowed us to enhance the Tizen TV browsing experience while also contributing to the broader WebKit EFL ecosystem.

NX300 Mirrorless Camera (Feb. 2013)

Project Description

Tizen represents an open-source and standards-driven software platform, garnering support from major mobile operators, device manufacturers, and silicon suppliers across diverse device categories. These categories encompass smartphones, tablets, netbooks, in-vehicle infotainment systems, smart TVs, and more. Pioneering an innovative operating system, applications, and a seamless user experience, Tizen enables consumers to transition effortlessly across different devices.

The Tizen initiative operates under the auspices of the Linux Foundation, overseen by a Technical Steering Group. This group functions as the core decision-making entity for the open-source project, centering its efforts on platform advancement and deployment. Concurrently, the Technical Steering Group establishes working groups to cater to specific device verticals. To coordinate the industry aspect of Tizen, the Tizen Association was established. This entity plays a vital role in shaping Tizen's industry involvement, including requirement gathering, service model formulation, industry marketing, and educational initiatives.

Tizen provides a dynamic and adaptable environment for application developers, predominantly relying on the capabilities of HTML5. The flexibility and cross-platform nature of HTML5 have positioned it as a preferred development platform for mobile applications and services. The Tizen SDK and API empower developers to leverage HTML5 and associated web technologies, crafting applications that span various device segments seamlessly.

Participation Description

Tizen is notably built upon the foundation of SLP (Samsung Linux Platform). Originally, SLP was a proprietary project developed by Samsung for internal use. In contrast, Tizen is positioned as an open-source initiative. Currently, the project has garnered participation from 12 companies, with Samsung and Intel being the prominent contributors. My professional journey naturally shifted from SLP to Tizen. Specifically, I'm engaged in the WebKit-Tizen port, which builds upon the WebKit EFL port but incorporates distinct functionalities.

This port of WebKit-Tizen integrates Tizen-specific features such as geolocation, multimedia, and network information. My efforts within this realm encompass both bug fixing and enhancements to the WebKit engine. I have been guided on the intricacies of collaboration within the WebKit community, leading to productive interactions between Samsung's WebKit engineers and the existing WebKit contributors.

Tizen's first commercial product is currently under development, with an impending launch on the horizon. My active involvement in open-source initiatives, including contributing to the Network Information API feature in HTML5, culminated in my recognition as a WebKit reviewer in October 2012.

Samsung Linux Platform v1.0 / v2.0 (Nov. 2008 ~ Jul. 2011)

Project Description

Samsung Linux Platform (SLP) is a mobile operating system built on the foundation of the Linux 2.6 kernel and X.org server. Originating from XO v1.0, SLP underwent substantial evolution, incorporating numerous advancements. These included transitioning from the XO v1.0 window system to the X Window System, as well as adopting the Enlightenment Foundation Library (EFL) to support applications.

SLP's adaptability extended its scope from mobile phones to encompass various devices like TVs, cameras, MP3 players, tablets, and laptops. Notably, SLP exhibited compatibility with LiMo and positioned the SLP team as prominent contributors within the LiMo foundation.

The architectural design of SLP revolved around adapting the principles of a standard Linux desktop for the mobile realm. By leveraging numerous Open Source components, SLP's software architecture remained accessible to individuals familiar with a conventional Linux desktop environment. Its software stack followed a layered architecture, comprising applications, middleware, and the Linux kernel. This framework facilitated a structured approach to building and extending functionalities within the platform.

Participation Description

Within this project, my primary focus was on the WebKit EFL port. Samsung and Profusion, a Brazilian software company, jointly embarked on contributing to the initial WebKit EFL port (http://trac.webkit.org/wiki/EFLWebKit). Profusion engineers laid the groundwork for the initial EFL port implementation, following which I undertook the task of refining and enhancing this initial implementation.

My contributions encompassed diverse areas, including addressing build issues, resolving crashes, and implementing essential missing features. These features ranged from download functionality and context menus to video and audio support, viewport meta tag integration, and geolocation capabilities. Notably, a crucial contribution I made was the establishment and management of Buildbot and EWS (Early Warning System) for the EFL port. These tools played a pivotal role in stabilizing the EFL port, facilitating efficient development and testing.

As many in the open-source community can attest, maintaining a project within the fast-paced WebKit development environment presents challenges. The rapid pace of WebKit's evolution necessitated frequent integration of the latest changes into our WebKit Tizen implementation. This process often led to conflicts during merging. To address this, I advocated for my colleagues to contribute their local patches, aiding in conflict resolution. Consequently, numerous Samsung WebKit developers actively engaged by contributing numerous patches.

Through this extensive involvement, I earned the privilege of becoming a WebKit committer, culminating in a valuable milestone in my journey.

XO v1.0 - LiMo Compatible Linux Platform (Sep. 2007 ~ Oct. 2008)

Project Description

XO stands as a Linux-based mobile platform renowned for delivering robust high-level features, exceptional performance, and unwavering reliability. This platform accommodates a range of Board Support Packages (BSP), Window Systems, and Mobile Browsers, showcasing its versatility. Furthermore, XO maintains compatibility with LiMo Release 1, positioning itself within the contemporary Linux-based Operating System landscape for mobile handsets.

As its window system of choice, XO opted for DirectFB. DirectFB is a streamlined library offering hardware graphics acceleration, input device management, and abstraction. It operates as an integrated windowing system, boasting support for features like translucent windows and multiple display layers. These capabilities extend beyond the Linux Frame Buffer Device, contributing to an enhanced user experience and greater visual sophistication.

Participation Description

In this project, I held the responsibility of overseeing the internet framework. Within the XO platform, the internet functionality was built upon the Mozilla platform. My area of expertise was centered around the JavaScript Engine, known as SpiderMonkey. A major focus of my work involved addressing memory consumption and performance concerns, particularly within the context of a mobile device environment.

To tackle these challenges, I introduced an innovative solution. I implemented a preference option that allowed control over the threshold value for memory utilization within the SpiderMonkey JavaScript Engine. If memory consumption exceeded this threshold, I devised a mechanism where SpiderMonkey would initiate the garbage collector until sufficient memory was reclaimed.

This pioneering approach, aimed at optimizing memory usage and enhancing performance, culminated in the creation of a patch. I proudly contributed this patch to the broader Mozilla community. Significantly, this contribution extended its impact beyond the XO project and was adopted within mobile Firefox as well. This highlights the significance and broader applicability of my endeavors in optimizing memory management and performance within a mobile browsing context.

SCH-W290 - 3G UMTS/WCDMA HSDPA Phone (Jul. 2007 ~ Aug. 2007)

Project Description

The SCH-W290 is a mobile phone specifically designed for SK Telecom, the largest telecommunications service provider in Korea, tailored to operate on their 3G network. This device is fully compatible with both UMTS and WCDMA networks, providing advanced connectivity.

With a slider form factor, the SCH-W290 offers a range of capabilities that cater to modern mobile needs. Notable features include HSDPA support, enabling faster data transfer speeds, MP3 playback, expandable memory for storage flexibility, and a unique built-in printer functionality.

The phone is equipped with dual camera modules, enhancing its multimedia capabilities. A front VGA digital camera supports various functions including video recording, playback, streaming, and call-related features. The rear 1.3-megapixel CMOS digital camera offers features like video recording, playback, streaming, a flashlight, and digital zoom, enriching the device's photography capabilities.

In addition to its multimedia prowess, the SCH-W290 supports a range of general features. These include multi-tasking, MOD (music on demand), VOD (video on demand), an MP3 player, video player, STK (SIM Tool Kit) functions, downloadable pictures and animations, a "my pet" application, English dictionary, file viewer, photo album, photo editor, wallpapers, and 3D messaging.

Overall, the SCH-W290 combines a diverse range of features and capabilities, making it a versatile mobile device catering to various user needs in communication, entertainment, and productivity.

Participation Description

In this pivotal commercialization project, I undertook the critical responsibility of managing the PIMS (Personal Information Management System), which encompassed crucial functionalities like the scheduler, calendar, and alarms. Notably, the unique aspect of this project was that the phone supported the brew platform, diverging from the conventional mobile Java platform (J2ME).

An interesting development in this project was the outsourcing of the brew platform to a third-party software company. Consequently, a significant portion of my role entailed rectifying numerous bugs within the PIMS segment, a task necessitated by this shift in the platform's management. Despite the usage of base source code across multiple commercial products, the presence of numerous bugs persisted due to the lack of a cohesive and standardized architecture. This scenario, while challenging, is not uncommon when striving to meet stringent product deadlines.

The intensity of this project was notable, as it demanded my dedication without any breaks for possibly around two months. The urgency stemmed from Samsung's drive to reclaim its standing in the 3G network phone domestic market, where it was competing against LG. Through this determined effort, Samsung managed to regain its position as the market leader, thus reaffirming the significance and impact of this project. Looking back, I am convinced that the intense involvement in this venture was indeed worthwhile, considering the favorable outcome achieved.

SGH-P930 - 3G DVB-H Phone (May. 2007 ~ Jun. 2007)

Project Description

The SGH-P930 stands out as a globally roaming phone tailored to the distinctive realm of DVB-H mobile television. This feature-rich device encompasses diverse functionalities, including HSDPA data transfer, DVB-H mobile television support, a 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth connectivity, a swiveling 262k color TFT display, and a microSD memory card slot.

One of its defining characteristics is its comprehensive support for the DVB-H standard, which empowers the phone with the ability to provide a Picture in Picture (PIP) function. This allows users to simultaneously watch two TV channels, adding to the multimedia versatility of the device. Connectivity options include 3G, EDGE, GPRS, HSDPA, Bluetooth, and USB, fostering seamless communication capabilities.

Designed primarily for Asian and European markets such as Vietnam and Italy, the SGH-P930 extends its versatility by supporting a roaming service channel in the United States. Its innovative design and mobile television functionality have garnered favorable responses from various review sites.

Samsung's prominence within the mobile TV market is highlighted by its leadership across three distinct standards: DVB-H in Europe, MediaFLO in the United States, and DMB in Korea. The company achieved numerous milestones, including supplying the world's first S-DMB and T-DMB phones in Korea, Europe's premier T-DMB phone in Germany, Europe's inaugural DVB-H phone in Italy, and a successful demonstration of MediaFLO mobile TV technology at the 'CTIA Wireless 2006' event in the U.S. market. This extensive involvement underscores Samsung's impactful presence within the evolving landscape of mobile television technologies.

   - Youtube video : http://youtu.be/KXu0nwf8adg

Participation Description

In this commercial endeavor, I assumed the pivotal role of overseeing the mobile Java platform (J2ME) and the mobile browser aspects of the project. As part of the larger Samsung product initiative, this project adhered to an exceptional deadline, fostering a demanding work environment. From what I recall, my team consistently put in extra hours, often exceeding 8 hours beyond the regular workday on weekdays.

My involvement extended beyond conventional office spaces, as I journeyed to both Vietnam and Singapore for a month to provide on-site support for local testing and debugging. During this period, I meticulously tested a multitude of issues spanning phone call functionalities, mobile browser behavior, mobile content downloads, and more.

A vivid memory from this project involves a specific challenge related to the mobile browser's handling of WML (Wireless Markup Language) pages from a mobile operator. Regrettably, the main WML page failed to render properly on the mobile browser of this particular phone. After thorough investigation, it was revealed that the root cause of the issue lay in an erroneous comment within the problematic WML page's code. This instance serves as a testament to the intricate nature of software development and how seemingly minor details can have significant impacts on functionality.

In sum, this project exemplifies the high-pressure environment that often characterizes commercial ventures, requiring diligent efforts, extensive testing, and hands-on support across various geographical locations to ensure successful outcomes.

JRobo Online Project (Mar. 2003 ~ Jun. 2003)