Nokia asks ethics officer to investigate faked Lumia video

Video controversy has seriously marred the launch of the Lumia 920

Nokia has enlisted the services of an ethics officer to conduct a review into the controversial 'faked' promotional video for the new Lumia 920 handset.

The video, shown at the launch last week, was supposed to show off the capabilities of the built-in 8.7-megapixel PureView stills camera and video camera, fitted with advanced image stabilising capabilities.

However, The Verge examined the video in detail and found the reflection of a cameraman within the video.

As well as the video, Nokia admitted that the still shots were also not taken with the Lumia 920.

The revelation has caused huge embarrassment and further damage to the ailing smartphone giant's reputation as it battles against the odds to re-establish itself among the mobile elite.

No disclaimer

Business Week brings word from Nokia that the ethics and compliance officer will seek to "understand what happened," and the company will deal with the issue "quickly, fairly and privately."

The company did not go as far as to claim that the device was used to produce the video, but did not say otherwise, leaving viewers to assume that all of that gorgeous footage arose from the Lumia 920.

Nokia spokeswoman Susan Sheehan said: "What we understand to date is that it was nobody's intention to mislead, but there was poor judgment in the decision not to use a disclaimer."

With falling device sales, massive job cuts and a share price in free fall, this controversy was really the last thing Nokia needed

The launch of the Lumia 920, the company's first Windows Phone 8 handset, was supposed to be the Finns' ticket back to the big time. Now it has completely lost control of the story.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/nokia-asks-ethics-officer-to-investigate-faked-lumia-video-1096082

Read More

Zeebox integrates Engage tech to bolster second screen app

Broadcasters will soon be able to send interactive content directly to zeebox

Broadcasters will now be able to use the zeebox to publish polls, promote Twitter battles and add calls-to-action directly within the popular second screen app.

A new partnership with the Chyron digital video service will see the integration of the Engage tech that allows content providers to publish directly within the application for users to interact with.

Adding Engage will allow users to act upon pop-up, on-screen graphics while watching live television, so, for example X-Factor voting could, one day, be done directly through the app.

Anthony Rose, the former iPlayer innovator and CTO of zeebox says this makes it easier for broadcasters to further embrace the social viewing trends through second screen applications.

Synchronised content

"Broadcasters are clamouring to embrace social TV and second-screen engagement, but the combination of fragmented market, myriad of consumer apps, and lack of integration with their existing workflow has - until now - made this a complex and expensive process," he said.

"By giving broadcasters the ability to publish directly into the zeebox platform using their existing tools and production workflow, we're making it as easy for a broadcaster to create a play-along, social TV or interactive experience delivered within zeebox as it is to pop up an on-screen graphic - and that's a huge game changer."

Jim Martinolich, vice president of integration technology at Chyron added: "The second screen applications running on tablets and other devices serve as an exciting new platform for publishing synchronised content that enhances the viewer's experience.

"zeebox is the leading second screen app and its integration with our ENGAGE platform aids broadcasters in creating and managing second screen content without introducing significant new production costs."

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/zeebox-integrates-engage-tech-to-bolster-second-screen-app-1096062

Read More

Nokia to investigate the Lumia 920 promo video fiasco

Nokia has announced it is launching an ethical review into the Lumia 920 presentation video.

In case you need a refresh, the Nokia’s Lumia 920 video promoting the smartphone’s camera turned out fake. The samples shown in the advertisement were shot with an expensive DSLR camera, instead of the Lumia 920.

Photo: Copyright johaee@gmail.com

Even though the video gives you the wrong impression, Nokia has never claimed this an actual Lumia 920 sample. This confusion could have been avoided with a proper disclaimer but there is none within the promo video.

Well, Nokia has launched an ethical inquiry to "to understand what happened". A report is to be completed by an independent ethics and compliance officer.

The company is obviously acknowledging that the case brought some bad publicity and that's hardly ideal, given its recent performances in the market. The good thing is, it will try to avoid such mishaps in the future.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_will_launch_ethical_inquiry_for_the_lumia_920_promo_video-news-4782.php

Read More

Lenovo reveals the waterproof A660 Android smartphone

Lenovo's first waterproof device features an IP67 certification which translates to dust and water resistance of up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.

The Lenovo A660 also features two SIM slots with 3G connectivity, a 4-inch screen protected by Gorilla Glass, 5MP rear and VGA front-facing cameras, as well as a 1GHz dual-core processor. All of it powered by a 1500 mAh battery.

No word on pricing or availability as of yet, but it will most likely hit the Chinese market initially.

Source (Chinese) | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_reveals_its_first_waterproof_smartphone-news-4781.php

Read More

Apple ditching Samsung memory chip in iPhone 5?

iPhone 5 to come with no Samsung inside?

Reports come from supply chain insiders suggest that Apple has reduced its orders for Samsung memory chips and that it will reduce the chips' usage in the iPhone 5.

Although Samsung is on the Apple supplier list for initial runs of the new iPhone, Reuters' source says that the company is trying to wean itself off the DRAM and NAND chips for later production runs.

"Samsung is still in the list of initial memory chip suppliers [for new iPhones]. But Apple orders have been trending down and Samsung is making up for the reduced order from others, notably Samsung's handset business," the Reuters source said.

Update: Bloomberg sources "familiar with the matter" have also claimed that the first batch of new iPhone handsets will not sport Samsung's memory chip, with the Cupertino-based firm opting for another one of its supplies as it was unable agree a price with its Korean rival.

Saucy

Another source, this time speaking anonymously to the Korea Economic Daily reckons that Apple has completely dropped Samsung from the memory chip suppliers even for the first batch of iPhone 5s.

But it's not down to the neverending patent battle between the two nemeses, with the source insisting that Apple was trying to widen its supplier pool anyway, no biggie.

Update: Another Bloomberg source revealed that the first batch of iPhone 5s will also snub Samsung's display – LG has already started producing screens for the next iPhone - but Apple will pop the South Korean firm's processor chip inside the device.

Samsung is said to be making up for the lost Apple business by upping supply to its own mobile handsets, including the Samsung Galaxy S3 which is selling great-guns.

We're sure both companies will be fine. The iPhone 5 is set to be unveiled at an event on September 12, with or without the Samsung hardware.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/apple-ditching-samsung-memory-chip-in-iphone-5-1095462

Read More

Toys ‘R’ Us jumps in the tablet game: 7-inch Tabeo with Android 4.0

Toys "R" Us has debuted its own tablet for kids: the 7-inch Tabeo, which runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

Toys “R” Us announced this weekend that it will begin selling its own branded tablet for kids. The 7-inch Tabeo tablet will cost $150, and goes on sale on October 1. Pre-orders for the device are available through ToysRUs.com now.

The Tabeo will run on a stripped-down version of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and come pre-loaded with 50 apps, including games, books, and educational apps. Other Tabeo technical specs include a 1.0 GHz processor (of unknown make), HDMI output, 4GB of internal storage, a front-facing camera, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The devices also comes with a “drop-safe” cover to keep it protected from children’s inevitable disregard for fragility.

While Toys “R” Us says that the Tabeo will give its young users the “full Internet experience” (including Flash support!), the Tabeo will be limited to Toys “R” Us’s Tabeo Store, which the company says currently has around 7,000 apps. Parental controls will also come pre-loaded to keep that “full Internet experience” kid-friendly.

The Tabeo is far from the only tablet available from Toys “R” Us. Other child-centric options include the LexiBook Junior Tablet, MEEP! Kids Tablet, and the Kurio Kids Tablet. Toys “R” Us also sells more grown-up devices, like the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1), and the Kindle Fire.

So, why is Toys “R” Us getting into the tablet game? According to the Wall Street Journal, it’s because the toy seller is struggling to make ends meet. As with other big box retailers, Toys “R” Us has seen a drop in in-store sales over the past year, due in part to its inability to compete with online retailers who offer lowers prices. Unlike general electronics retailers, like Best Buy and Radio Shack, Toys “R” Us continues to benefit from the fact that its customers (parents) still like to buy its products in person.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/toys-r-us-tabeo-android-tablet/

Read More

Apple makes final perpetrations for iPhone 5 with cryptic banner

What does it all mean? (credit: Ekkapong T)

Apple is putting the final touches on the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco as it gears up for the new iPhone launch on Wednesday.

There's no mistaking that Apple is in the house, with the huge, fruit inspired logo adorning the front of the building surrounded by a vibrant Technicolor banner – which may include a hidden message.

The folks over at MacRumors have taken a closer look at that banner and reckon it's made up of stretched app icons, including Games Center, iTunes, iPod, Safari and possibly Stocks logos.

And stretch…

Now it could well be the Apple design team getting creative to produce an attractive backdrop, but of course people are looking for a deeper meaning – with the elongated icons perhaps suggesting the iPhone 5 will indeed sport that 4-inch display the whole world is talking about.

Thankfully there's not long left to wait, with Tim Cook due to take centre stage on Wednesday to unveil what we all expect to be the sixth generation of iPhone.

TechRadar will filling you in on all the iPhone related shenanigans as they happen, so keep it locked here for all the information on Apple's next smartphone offering.

• New iPhone 5 release date, news and rumours

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/apple-makes-final-perpetrations-for-iphone-5-with-cryptic-banner-1096008

Read More