Category: Video / Photo

  • Amazon Buys Indian Streaming Service MX Player for Under $100M

    Amazon Buys Indian Streaming Service MX Player for Under $100M

    E-commerce giant Amazon is extending its footprint in India by taking over key assets of the well-known video streaming service MX Player from Times Internet. This move indicates Amazon's intent to bolster its presence in the vital Indian market.

    MX Player’s Previous Valuation and Deal Details

    The transaction, valued at under $100 million, represents a notable decline from MX Player’s earlier valuation of $500 million. Amazon plans to keep the MX Player brand and is likely to integrate some of MX Player’s key executives into their operations.

    Strategic Benefits for Amazon and MX Player

    MX Player provides Amazon with a valuable distribution and marketing partner. The Indian streaming service has a significant presence in smaller towns and cities where Amazon’s e-commerce platform has not yet fully penetrated. This acquisition might help Amazon connect with these untapped markets.

    For MX Player, this deal represents a strategic pivot. Times Internet acquired the app in 2018 for $140 million, initially focusing on video playback capabilities, especially for affordable Android devices. Times Internet then expanded MX Player’s features, turning it into a comprehensive video streaming platform with licensed content, original shows, and even games.

    Market Dynamics and Future Prospects

    This is not the first time MX Player has attracted attention. In 2022, Sony considered a potential merger, but those discussions did not materialize. Now, under Amazon’s ownership, MX Player is expected to utilize Amazon’s resources to potentially reach a broader audience.

    The Indian video streaming market is currently led by Reliance and Disney, who together hold over 50% of the market share. Amazon’s acquisition of MX Player, which holds a 15% market share according to UBS, is a strategic move to challenge this hegemony. While Netflix and Prime Video currently have smaller shares, Amazon’s investment in MX Player demonstrates their commitment to becoming a significant player in the Indian streaming sector.

    (Via)

    Tags:
  • Insta360 to Launch New 4K Camera on June 13, Pricing TBA

    Insta360 to Launch New 4K Camera on June 13, Pricing TBA

    Insta360 is preparing to launch a new camera on June 13th, which is rumored to be the GO 3S, a potential successor to their well-liked Insta360 GO 3 sports camera.

    Potential Successor to the Insta360 GO 3 Sports Camera

    Although details are still scarce, the 4K resolution suggests it may be a mid-range option compared to Insta360's recently introduced X4, which features high-resolution 8K capabilities. The X4, released in April for 3,499 yuan, is positioned as a high-end action camera designed for capturing extremely detailed footage. The upcoming 4K model is expected to be more affordable.

    Insta360's Market Niche

    Insta360 has established itself in the camera market with its cutting-edge 360 cameras and action cams. The Insta360 GO 3 is a tiny, waterproof action camera recognized for its broad field of view and stabilization features. It is a favored choice for capturing POV (point-of-view) footage or in scenarios where a conventional camera might be too bulky.

    Speculations and Official Reveal

    With limited information currently available, there is much speculation regarding the features and design of the upcoming 4K camera. Will it provide enhancements over the GO 3, or will it be a completely new camera line? We’ll need to wait until June 13th for Insta360’s official announcement to find out.

    (Via)

    Tags: ,
  • Apple TV+ Aims to Be Sole American Streaming Service in China

    Apple TV+ Aims to Be Sole American Streaming Service in China

    Apple is reportedly in discussions with China Mobile, the world's largest mobile network provider by subscriber count, to introduce its Apple TV+ video streaming service in China, according to a report by TheInformation on June 4th.

    Access to Over 200 Million Chinese Mobile Users

    While the current state of the negotiations is uncertain, a successful deal could provide Apple TV+ with access to an enormous audience of over 200 million Chinese mobile users. Should the negotiations succeed, Apple TV+ would become the only American streaming service available within China's borders.

    This potential development follows a period of limited activity for Apple's subscription services in China. Apple has not launched any new subscription or media services in the mainland since 2017. However, there are signs of renewed efforts, with reports suggesting that Apple is also looking into bringing services like Apple Arcade and Fitness+ to the Chinese market.

    Collaboration with Tencent

    The Information also notes a significant agreement Apple has secured with tech giant Tencent. This agreement permits Tencent to offer some of its popular applications on Vision Pro, Apple's forthcoming mixed reality headset, specifically tailored for the Chinese market. Apple CEO Tim Cook has previously confirmed that Vision Pro will be launched in China later this year.

    Navigating China’s Content Regulations

    The report also discusses Apple's attempts to navigate China's stringent content censorship laws. To ensure compliance and successful service launches, Apple is said to be seeking a local partner to help operate its subscription services, including Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade, within China.

    For reference, the high-end version of the latest Apple TV 4K (7th generation) featuring an A15 Bionic chip and 128GB of storage was priced at 1,161 yuan during China's significant shopping event, Double 11, last year. For comparison, the official US price is $149 (approximately 1,080 yuan at the time). Additionally, the monthly subscription fee for Apple TV+ is $9.99 (currently around 72 yuan), while the Apple One bundle costs $19.95 per month (about 145 yuan).

    Tags:
  • Sigma Unveils World’s First 28-45mm F1.8 Full Frame DG DN Art Lens

    Sigma Unveils World’s First 28-45mm F1.8 Full Frame DG DN Art Lens

    Sigma has made a significant impact in the realm of full-frame lenses with the introduction of their new 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art lens. This groundbreaking lens brings several unique features, making it a compelling choice for both seasoned and amateur photographers. Let’s delve into what sets this lens apart:

    The lens features an internal zoom mechanism to prevent lens creeping. The Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN is the world’s first full-frame zoom lens with a constant f/1.8 aperture. This remarkable achievement ensures excellent low-light performance and beautiful bokeh throughout the zoom range. Imagine capturing striking portraits with a dreamy background at any focal length, from wide-angle to slightly telephoto. The constant f/1.8 aperture delivers image quality comparable to many high-end prime lenses, eliminating the need to switch lenses in varying lighting conditions.

    Portability and Ease of Use

    Despite its advanced features, Sigma has not compromised on portability. The lens employs an internal zoom mechanism, maintaining a constant length while zooming. This design eliminates the "lens creep" issue found in some zoom lenses, making it perfect for travel or street photography. The focusing distance is fixed at 30cm throughout the zoom range, simplifying focusing for close-up shots.

    Advanced Optical Design

    The Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN is built with a sophisticated 18-element, 15-group lens structure. This design includes 5 SLD (Special Low Dispersion) elements and 3 aspherical lenses to minimize chromatic aberrations and optical distortions. These elements work together to deliver sharp, clear images across the frame, even at wider apertures. Additionally, Sigma’s nano-porous coating and super multi-layer coating technology reduce flare and ghosting, enhancing image quality, especially in backlit conditions.

    Professional-grade features are also a highlight. The lens uses a high-speed HLA linear motor for quick and quiet autofocus, ensuring you capture fleeting moments. The bidirectional drive focus ring allows for precise manual focus adjustments, ideal for detailed control. The lens also includes various physical controls, such as an aperture ring, an infinite aperture switch, an aperture lock switch, two customizable AFL buttons for specific functions, and a locking petal-shaped lens hood.

    Durability and Versatility

    Designed to endure professional use, the Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN has a dust-proof and splash-proof body. The front lens group features a water and oil-proof coating, making it suitable for challenging shooting environments. Whether facing harsh weather conditions or dusty locations, this lens is built to perform reliably.

    With its outstanding image quality, constant fast aperture, and versatile zoom range, the Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art lens offers a comprehensive solution for a broad spectrum of photographers. Portrait photographers will love the beautiful bokeh and low-light capabilities, while landscape and street photographers will benefit from the versatile zoom range and exceptional sharpness.

    Sigma Unveils World's First 28-45mm F1.8 Full Frame DG DN Art Lens
    Tags: ,
  • Canon to Launch New EOS C70 Mark II Movie Camera on June 5

    Canon to Launch New EOS C70 Mark II Movie Camera on June 5

    Canon unveiled a teaser image today, hinting at the launch of a new EOS C movie camera on June 5th. Although specific details are limited, the image hints that it could be the much-anticipated EOS C70 Mark II.

    Teaser Image and Speculations

    The teaser image showcases a silhouette of a camera that closely resembles the existing EOS C70. Accompanied by Japanese text translating to "Cinema" and "June 5th," along with a countdown timer, the image has sparked speculation that the new release will be the EOS C70 Mark II, an updated version of the popular camera.

    Features of the Original EOS C70

    The original EOS C70 is equipped with a Super 35mm Dual Gain Output (DGO) sensor, capable of delivering over 16 stops of dynamic range. It also includes Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus technology, ensuring sharp focus even at high frame rates.

    Upcoming Announcement

    With the official announcement scheduled for June 5th, more information about the rumored EOS C70 Mark II’s features, specifications, and pricing is expected to be revealed soon. Stay tuned for further updates!

    Tags: ,
  • Panasonic Promotes Lumix S9 with Nikon Photos, Issues Apology

    Panasonic Promotes Lumix S9 with Nikon Photos, Issues Apology

    The Panasonic Lumix S9 lightweight and compact camera was introduced last week in China. However, it was discovered that the company had mistakenly used images captured by a Nikon camera in their promotional materials for the compact mirrorless camera. This misleading representation led to significant backlash, prompting Panasonic to issue an apology.

    Promotional Image Mix-up

    The disputed images, totaling about two, were taken by the Nikon Ambassador camera. These photos, which have since been removed, appeared on Panasonic’s official website, leading to public outcry over the misleading act. Panasonic acknowledged the mistake in an official statement, explaining that it had used stock image services or authorized images to promote the Lumix S9 without verifying their appropriateness for the context.

    Panasonic further mentioned that it has taken the feedback from users who pointed out the issue seriously and has updated the page to improve clarity. Panasonic also offered sincere apologies for any inconvenience this incident may have caused to users, fans, and camera enthusiasts.

    Specifications and Features

    The Panasonic Lumix S9 was launched as a compact full-frame mirrorless camera, priced at 10,999 yuan ($1,520) in China. It was marketed as the lightest model in its category, weighing a mere 403 grams. The camera features a free-flip screen, allowing for flexible shots from various angles. It boasts a 24.2 MP full-frame CMOS sensor that supports dual native ISO, 6K OpenGate, and 4K 60p (approximately 1.5x crop capability).

    The compact LUMIX S9's lightweight of 403 grams is complemented by a flexible shooting setup due to its free-flip screen. It also has an elegant design and is available in several color options, enabling users to effortlessly create high-quality original photos and videos that can be shared directly without needing PC editing.

    Advanced Capabilities

    The Lumix S9 includes 5-axis body stabilization and phase focus functions, which significantly reduce blur from handheld shooting and ensure stable shots in various scenarios. The camera body also features a new LUT dedicated button for quickly accessing the real-time LUT filter function, with several LUT filters available for selection.

    Tags:
  • Xiaomi BW500 Outdoor Camera: 6-Month Battery, Solar Charging

    Xiaomi BW500 Outdoor Camera: 6-Month Battery, Solar Charging

    The Xiaomi Outdoor Camera BW500 has been introduced in China, featuring a battery life that can extend up to 6 months and supports solar charging. Xiaomi also recently launched a 5W solar panel with a USB-C cable compatible with both the Xiaomi Outdoor Camera BW500 and BW300. The BW500 outdoor camera will be available for crowdfunding starting on May 29.

    Features

    The Xiaomi Outdoor Camera BW500 boasts a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and a FOV 136º wide-angle lens with an aperture of F1.6. It is equipped with powerful infrared and full-color LED lights for effective lighting, capable of illuminating intelligently in low-light environments within a 10-meter radius. The camera utilizes a 1.2TOPS AI computing power chip, enabling it to accurately detect people, vehicles, animals, and other objects. When any object enters the camera’s field of view, an alarm is triggered, and the white light turns on, acting as a deterrent. Additionally, the MI Home App sends an alarm notification.

    The BW500 supports intelligent noise reduction for clearer human voice communication and operates an intercom within a 7-meter range. It also includes an MIJIA security chip to guard against data breaches. The optional solar panel connection boosts its versatility and reliability, with the panel angle adjustable for optimal battery life. The camera features a 10,000mAh battery, claimed to last up to six months, with an algorithm that employs low-power technology to adjust battery usage based on the captured scene.

    Storage and Durability

    The Xiaomi Outdoor Camera BW500 includes built-in eMMC 32GB storage and supports cloud storage. It is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance.

    Pricing & Availability

    The BW500 camera will be available for crowdfunding at a price of 369 yuan ($51), starting on May 29 on Xiaomi Youpin.

    Xiaomi BW500 Outdoor Camera: 6-Month Battery, Solar Charging
    Xiaomi BW500 Outdoor Camera: 6-Month Battery, Solar Charging
    Tags:
  • Are Smartphones Outshining Digital Cameras? Study Reveals Insights

    Are Smartphones Outshining Digital Cameras? Study Reveals Insights

    In Japan, digital cameras were once considered indispensable household items. However, the scenario has shifted drastically in recent years, largely due to the impact of smartphones.

    According to a survey by the Japanese Cabinet Office at the end of 2023, only 48.6% of households owned digital cameras. This marks the first instance since 2004 that the ownership percentage has dipped below 50%. Compact cameras, in particular, are bearing the brunt of this decline. The graphical representation below illustrates the declining adoption rate of digital cameras in Japan over the years, in contrast to the rising adoption of smartphones.

    Trade-offs for Accessibility

    Over time, the advancement of smartphone camera systems, along with easy internet access and the ability to share images on social media, has influenced people’s choice for their imaging needs. Moreover, the computational photography features of smartphones make capturing good photos effortless. Notably, the camera systems in recent flagship smartphones like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and the Oppo Find X7 Ultra stand out.

    Additionally, the superior qualities of images taken by dedicated cameras often require a trained eye to appreciate.

    Industry Impact

    The Japan International Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA) has also confirmed the decline in digital camera adoption. Data shows that shipments have plummeted from 11.11 million units in 2008 to just 910,000 units currently. This trend affects not only camera manufacturers but also the country’s overall competitiveness in this sector.

    Japan’s home appliance industry is also feeling the pinch of competition. According to the Home Appliances Association, the production of goods in Japan has steadily decreased over the past decade, from 7.7 trillion yen in 2000 to 3.8 trillion yen in 2022.

    Trade Imbalance

    The value of Japan’s imports of video recording and playback equipment has reportedly surpassed the value of its exports. In 2023, the trade balance revealed that Japan imported 72.5 billion yen more of this equipment than it exported.

    Are Smartphones Outshining Digital Cameras? Study Reveals Insights
  • TikTok Tests 60-Minute Video Uploads for Select Users

    TikTok Tests 60-Minute Video Uploads for Select Users

    TikTok is currently experimenting with 60-minute video uploads on its platform, following an earlier test of 30-minute video uploads in January. This new 60-minute feature is accessible to a select group of users in certain markets. However, the company has no immediate plans to roll this out to all users.

    Shift in Strategy

    This development signifies a shift from TikTok’s initial approach, which focused on short video uploads. Initially, the app permitted only 15-second videos, but this limit has been increased multiple times. It is clear that TikTok is gradually adopting longer content uploads, a restriction that does not exist on YouTube, a leading media content platform.

    TikTok mentions that its creators have been seeking more time to convey their messages effectively. Content such as cooking demonstrations, educational lessons, and comedy often require more than the current time limit to be fully effective. This new feature will also enable the uploading of full-episode TV shows on the platform.

    Creator Flexibility

    Previously, TikTok encouraged creators to ask viewers to proceed to the next part of a story, but this often resulted in viewers missing the continuation. This led to incomplete content and lost messages. The extended time limit now offers creators the chance to experiment with new or expanded content types with more flexibility. TikTok might be aiming to attract creators who post longer content on YouTube to also share it on TikTok.

    New Features

    Besides the extended time limit, TikTok has been exploring other features to improve user experience. Reports indicate it has been testing a horizontal full-screen mode and video scrubbing thumbnails. Currently, the app includes a fast-forwarding function, allowing users to skip parts of a video by holding down the right side of the screen. Details on how users were selected for the 60-minute upload feature test are not disclosed, and the duration of this testing phase remains unknown.

    Tags:
  • DJI Mini 4K Drone Launches in China, Priced at 1,499 Yuan ($207)

    DJI Mini 4K Drone Launches in China, Priced at 1,499 Yuan ($207)

    DJI, the renowned Chinese drone manufacturer, has just introduced the Mini 4K drone in China. This new model boasts enhanced imaging capabilities, supporting up to 4K/30fps video, a significant upgrade from the Mini 2 SE, which only supports up to 2.7K/30fps video. Despite these improvements, the Mini 4K retains the other features of the Mini 2 SE and is priced affordably at 1,499 yuan ($207) in China, which is cheaper than its price in the US and other markets.

    Features

    The DJI Mini 4K is a compact and lightweight drone, weighing just 249 grams, making it easy to operate in most countries without the need for special training or testing. It supports one-click takeoff and landing, as well as automatic return, making it an ideal choice for beginners. The drone offers a flight time of 31 minutes on a single charge, which can be extended to 93 minutes if video recording is not used.

    Despite its affordability, the Mini 4K comes packed with impressive features such as a three-axis mechanical gimbal and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS). It includes intelligent shooting modes like one-click short films and panoramic photos, enabling even novices to create stunning aerial footage. Additionally, it supports one-click short video shoots with various modes like fade, spiral, soar, surround, and comet. With just two taps, the drone can automatically shoot and generate a short video with multiple filters and soundtracks, which users can share directly or edit within the app. The drone has an image transmission distance of up to 10 kilometers.

    Advanced Imaging

    For still photography, the Mini 4K can capture panoramic shots in wide-angle, 180°, and spherical panorama modes. With a simple tap, it can automatically complete the shooting process, post-processing, and produce high-resolution panoramic images.

    The Mini 4K is also equipped with four brushless motors, offering up to level 5 wind resistance and the capability to take off at altitudes of up to 4,000 meters. It features a built-in GNSS module, a downward visual perception system, and an infrared perception system, ensuring stable hovering and precise obstacle detection.

    Pricing & Availability

    The DJI Mini 4K is currently available in China for 1,499 yuan ($207) through Jingdong (JD.com). It was launched last month and is also available in the US via Amazon for $299, with the fly more combo costing nearly twice as much.

    DJI Mini 4K Drone Launches in China, Priced at 1,499 Yuan (7)
    DJI Mini 4K Drone Launches in China, Priced at 1,499 Yuan (7)
    Tags: