Pixel Weekly Roundup - 14th August 2014

ISSUE NO. 924

14th August 2014

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CO MI NG

SO ON

24/10/2014

INSIDE

toshiba unviels innovative camera sensor for mobile devices, samsung announces new galaxy alfa, and manfrotto releases walking stick-monopod hybrid...

PC firm hails mobile future as sales soar Chinese tech firm Lenovo has credited a growth in quarterly profits to a 32% leap in sales of mobile devices.

In recent months the firm has intensified efforts to diversify from its roots in computer manufacturing, to embrace mobile technology. Reports show that in the wake of this, earnings grew by 23% to $214, (£128m) in the April to June quarter, compared with the same period last year.

Part of the company’s investment in mobile technology included the purchase from Google of Motorola’s handset business in a deal worth $2.9bn (£1.74bn).

While demand for mobile technology is clearly strong, sales of desktop computers too seem to be growing, with Lenovo’s shipments rising 12.1% compared to the 2.4% industry average.

Lenovo’s chairman, Yang Yuanqing, says he believes mobile sales will make up the bulk of the company’s future revenue as focus continues to shift from PCs.

New Joby Accessory Joby has unveiled the Pro Series UltraPlate, allowing photographers to mount their camera to any tripod and attach an additional camera strap while still allowing access to the camera’s battery compartment. Unlike most baseplates on the market, the UltraPlate has two additional 1/4”20 screw mounts. The plate is also compatible with all major tripod brands featuring the standard 1/4” mount i.e. Giotto’s tripods.

RRP: £18 www.joby.com Photo -

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Planning your photokina trip With one of the most important dates in the photographic trade calendar coming up next month, it’s time to start planning

Photokina 2014 is approaching quickly, and if you want to take advantage of all the opportunities on offer, you will need to plan ahead.

Luckily, there is support in place to help trade visitors get the most of their time in Cologne.

displayed. The reduced tariffs can also be purchased from IATA travel agencies. Travel agencies have the possibility to request ticketing instructions by indicating the access code via e-mail to lufthansa. mobility@dlh.de.

Online Matchmaking Matchmaking365 is a free service from photokina, allowing trade visitors to gain valuable business contacts online before the show. The service enables users to schedule meetings, gain precise information and access offers from a computer or app.

Getting there The fair grounds can be reached from the airports Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Brussels simply and directly via the ICE high-speed rail network from Deutsche Bahn. In addition, the ICE station Köln Messe/Deutz is located right next to the exhibition.

For rail passengers, Koelnmesse, in partnership with Deutsche Bahn, is offering nationwide tickets at reduced prices from €99. The bookings can completed on the photokina website or by phone via the Deutsche Bahn GmbH event hotline (+49 1806 / 31 11 53) under the password “photokina”.

Special Rates Take advantage of special rates available to trade visitors to keep costs down. Air connections from abroad to Cologne, Düsseldorf or Frankfurt from now on can be booked online on http://www. lufthansa.com/event-buchung.

After entering the access code “DEZAIAD” the price discount is deducted automatically or further attractive promotional offers are video

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contact point for all trade visitors.

You can start each day here to get access to detailed fair information, specific product deals and solutions to individual problems. GfK analysts will be holding Market Briefings on each sector and any market developments.

You can also recharge tablets, laptops and mobile phones on the provided socket strips (you must bring your own battery charger).

The International Business Lounge essentially functions as a back office for its users.

It is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm, i.e. from one hour before the trade fair opens until one hour after it closes. Access is reserved exclusively for registered traders.

Central Contact Point The International Buyers Lounge at Entrance South will act as the central -

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Welcome To Pixel Magazine While Pixel is traditionally a trade magazine for professionals in photographic retail, you’ve probably noticed that in recent years we’ve included news from a number of connected sectors. AV, computing, mobile, print and photography all overlap in one way or another – and increasingly so as these technologies continue to progress.

We are seeing an amalgamation of all of these in the form of smartphones with increasingly powerful cameras, in high spec tablets, wireless printers/ print apps, and in connective cameras with WiFi or NFC functions.

This year’s world-famous imaging trade show photokina will reflect this increasing cross-over by offering interested visitors a series of lectures, workshops and seminars on the ‘smartphone phenomenon’.

If you are coming to Cologne in September, don’t miss our guide to making the most of your trip in the next monthly edition of Pixel (out early September), the prelude

to which is our cover story this week.

In this issue we also give a roundup of the week’s team changes, events, news and product launches to include an even smarter smartphone from Samsung, an innovative sensor from Toshiba, and some nifty new walking sticks from Manfrotto.

Zoe, Editor @pixelmagazine

Toshiba unveils smaller, improved sensor for mobile devices

The electronic components manufacturer has developed a small, high quality sensor for action cams, smartphones and tablets of the future According to Toshiba, the T4KA3 operates at 15% lower battery power than its previous 8mp sensor, and is also significantly smaller, making it one of the world’s smallest chips at this pixel count – ideal for fitting inside smaller camera modules.

The new sensor can also shoot high quality slow motion video, something that Toshiba claims hasn’t been achieved before.

Because slow motion requires more frames per second, this high rate typically results in shorter exposure time, making the footage too dark.

Toshiba claims to have rectified this by developing a ‘bright mode’ feature, which uses an interlaced

video format enabling 240 frames per second – therefore extending the exposure time to increase the brightness. This enables users to record at twice the fps rate, creating smooth, high quality video.

Andrew Burt, vice president of the Image Sensor Business Unit, System LSI Group at TAEC, said: “In emerging markets, the camera is the most prioritized feature for smartphone owners. The T4KA3 was created to meet this demand, while aiding designers in continuing to develop slimmer products that consume less power.

New non-exec chairman at Maplin The electronics retailer Maplin has appointed Darren Shapland as non-executive chairman.

Mr. Shapland is due to take over from John Lovering on 1 September, bringing 25 years of retail experience in senior positions to the role.

He is currently chairman of Poundland, and has previously held senior financial and operational roles within The Burton Group/Arcadia and Kingfisher.

Maplin chief executive John Cleland said: “We are all delighted to have the opportunity to work with Darren. He brings a wealth of business and retail knowledge which will undoubtedly add momentum to the solid growth and success of the

business last year.”

With over 200 stores in the UK and Ireland, Maplin has doubled its product range in the last two years and has invested in new stores and a new website. In June, the company was sold to private equity firm Rutland Partners in an £85 million deal.

Mr. Shapland said: “I am delighted to be working with Maplin as non-executive chairman. The business model is unique and the company has great plans for its future. I’m looking forward to joining a great team.”

HTC One (M8) receives shots camera update Duo-camera now sharable The HTC One (M8) has been one of the most talked-about smartphone releases of the year, due mainly to its advanced camera technology.

The duo camera feature enables photographers to change the focus point on the image after it has been taken. However, there were limitations on the feature: most notably that it could only be used on the device itself.

Now, HTC has updated its Gallery

App so duo cam images can now be shared with others via the new Duo Effects Gallery web interface.

Here, images can be manipulated in much the same way as on the M8 itself, give or take a few functions (e.g. the UFocus blur strength slider).

The update can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.

Customers in every global region continue to demand high-quality image and video capture and playback, and Toshiba’s 1.12-micron CIS lineup is designed to hit the sweet spot for a full range of highvolume handheld mobile products.”

The T4KA3 also features High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology, whereby multiple photos are taken at once at different exposure levels and then stitched them together.

• pixel count is 3280 (H) x 2464 (V) • The sensor has 8Kbit one-timeprogrammable (OTP) memory for automatically storing two settings of lens shading correction data, and the setting can quickly changed with a single command to accommodate changing light conditions.

Key Specs: • Optical format of the T4KA3 is 1/4 inch

Pricing and Availability Sample shipments of the T4KA3 CMOS image sensor are underway, with samples priced at just under US$12 (1,200 Yen).

Mass production is scheduled to begin in April 2015.

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New for the outdoor market Manfrott, has unveiled two new products: walking sticks with a camera attachment, and a lightweight tripod.

The two walking sticks are designed for hikers who want to record their adventures without lugging any extra equipment about The off road photographic walking sticks are, according to Manfrotto, ‘some of the lightest poles in the market ‘ and feature a rotating camera attached to the top of one pole, allowing the stick to be converted into a monopod.

The legs are made of alluminum and a pair of walking sticks weigh less than 400grs/0.88lbs.

The Off road tripod is the lightest tripod in the Manfrotto range, weighing just 650gr/1.43lbs. The tripod has a diameter of just 5cm and is portable with a closed length of 55.5cm yet max height of 122cm.

RRP: walking sticks - £79.95, tripod: £119.95 www.manfrotto.co.uk

New Samsung Galaxy Alpha A new-look design for the latest Samsung smartphone

In what has been labelled a ‘fresh design approach’, Samsung Electronics has unveiled the Galaxy Alpha, designed to look a little more solid than its predecessors, thanks to its metal frame and slimmed-down body.

The new model also boasts a 12MP rear camera – a higher spec than the 8MP camera on the Galaxy S5

released a few weeks ago – and a 2.1MP front ‘selfie’ camera. It also shoots UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) video at 30fps.

Rob Orr, Vice President, IT and Mobile Division at Samsung Electronics UK & Ireland, said: “Built with the consumer in mind, the Galaxy Alpha focuses on both beauty and functionality.

“Combining a stunning metal frame and slim, light weight design with the same powerful hardware and features you’d expect from a flagship Galaxy mobile device, the Galaxy Alpha is perfect for those that want style without compromising on performance.”

Available: Early September Colours: Charcoal Black, Dazzling White, Frosted Gold, Sleek Silver, and Scuba Blue.

All Welcome to Digital Imaging Event

The three-day event will be held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel from 4-6 October 2014.

Over 20 photography experts have been lined up to speak at the free event, including renowned photographer Brett Florens.

Phil Jones, The Digital Imaging Show’s CEO says, “We are looking forward to welcoming photographers to our new three day photography event. We have organised 72 hours of Masterclasses over 2 days and a fantastic trade show. We have also prepared a full-day seminar with Brett Florens which will be perfect for photographers that are looking to improve their imagery and business.”

At the trade show, which starts

on 5 October, over 40 leading photographic companies will be exhibiting, inviting attendees to get ‘hands on’ with the latest equipment from all the top manufacturers.

Phil Jones continues, “The Trade Show has a vast selection of exhibitors which include brands such as Bowens, Fujifilm, Olympus and The Flash Centre.

There will also be a range of album manufacturers, photographic

labs and service such as photographic insurance providers to give attendees a broad range of exhibitors.

“There is no question that this show is a ‘must-do’ event for all serious photographers” For more information on The Digital Imaging Show’s Birmingham Expo, please visit: http:// thedigitalimagingshow.co.uk/ events/birmingham/

Resellers should ‘prepare for Windows Threshold’ Research company Gartner advises resellers to move on from Windows 7 Microsoft has warned that it will end support and stop providing security updates for the Windows 7 operating system in 2020. Gartner believes resellers should start preparing for the

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cross over to the new Windows Threshold now to avoid any issues.

Stephen Kleynhans, Gartner’s research vice president, recently wrote in a blog post: “Microsoft recently ended support for

Windows XP, and even though the end date was set in 2007 based on a life cycle support policy Microsoft introduced in 2004, many organisations were not able to completely eliminate the operating

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system by the deadline.”

He added: “Organisations must start planning now, so they can prevent a recurrence of what happened with Windows XP.”

All material in this publication is strictly copyright and all rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The views expressed in Pixel Magazine do not necessarily represent the view of Life Media Group LTD. Every care is taken in compiling the contents but the publishers of Pixel Magazine assume no reponsibilty for any damage, loss or injury arising from the participation in any offers, competitions or advertisment contained within Pixel Magazine.

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Christmas Gifting Merchandisers 2014 Two options to suit your budget and maximise profit

Christmas Gifting Range 2014

Description

Snowflake Ornament

Merchandiser 1 Quantity 27

Merchandiser 2 Quantity 45

Normal NET/DDP Value EACH £1.07

SRP Each exc. print £1.99

Star Ornament

15

25

£1.07

£1.99

Round Ornament

12

20

£1.07

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Bauble Red

16

16

£1.39

£3.25

Bauble Clear

16

16

£1.39

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Seasons Greetings Cards 6 Pack x 10

10 x packs of 6

10 x packs of 6

£1.72 per 6 pack x 10

£2.99 per 6 pack x 10

Desk Top Calendar

25

25

£2.67

£5.49

Choose from 3 Christmas Merchandiser options!

Spend and receive 5% off!

4 x 6 Visioblox over £150 5on mixed 10 loose stock £5.11 £8.99 6 x 8 Visionblox

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Snow & Glitterblox

10

14

£2.71

£4.99

Glitter Blox

10

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Snow Dome

14

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Floor Standing Display Units create an in-store focal point and can have a positive effect on your photo gift sales during the Christmas period.

Please note that Merchandisers are available in limited supply.

Merchandiser 1 - DDP £299 ex VAT Contents Total SRP £661.77 inc vat Merchandiser 2 - DDP £399 ex VAT Contents Total SRP £833.23 inc vat We also have standard stock items from both Adventa and Shots2Go. so give us a call and have a chat about your specific requirements.

• Adventa • Shot2Go • Speciality Gifts & Frames

Call Mark Wilkins on 07860 240 244 for further information.

All prices shown are DDP and subject to change without notice and excluding VAT & delivery. E&OE TEL: 0116 289 3644

E-MAIL: uk@tetenal.com

0116 289 3644

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WEB: www.tetenaluk.com

uk@tetenal.com

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