Fujifilm outlines X-Pro1 lens roadmap, brings zoom at last this fall

FUJIFILM ANNOUNCES ROADMAP FOR NEW XF LENSES FOR THE X-PRO1 INTERCHANGEABLE LENS DIGITAL CAMERA SYSTEM

Valhalla, N.Y., June 25, 2012 (EMBARGO UNTIL 10:00 PM ET) – FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced plans to offer an expanded selection of FUJINON XF lenses for the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera System that will offer a wide range of new shooting opportunities for professional and advanced photographers. From super wide single length focus to telephoto lenses, users will now be able to freely choose which XF lenses match their shooting style, and allow them to experience the extraordinary image quality of the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 in a variety of new ways.

Fall 2012

Beginning in the fall of 2012, Fujifilm will introduce two new bright and fast aperture prime FUJINON XF lenses: the XF14mm (21mm) F2.8 single focal length lens and the XF18mm-55mm (27-84mm) F2.8-F4 lens.

Each of the new XF lenses are designed to deliver sharp, clear images of unmatched quality with precise aperture control, and beautiful bokeh effects thanks to the design of the molded aperture diaphragm blades. The blades are curved to create a circular image at all aperture settings, while the very edges of each blade are meticulously rounded off rather than cut off, to deliver more pleasing images.

Early 2013

Then in early 2013, Fujifilm will also deliver three more high performance single focal length lenses that include the XF56mm (84mm) F1.4 lens, the pancake XF27mm (41mm) F2.8 lens and the XF23mm (35mm) F1.4 lens.

Middle 2013

Then in middle 2013, Fujifilm will launch a telephoto XF55mm-200mm (83-300mm) F3.5-F4.8 lens and the super wide zoom XF10mm-24mm (15-36mm) F4 lens, both with optical image stabilization.

"The FUJIFILM X-Pro1 is an amazing professional grade camera that delivers outstanding image quality, and we are very excited to announce our plans for an expanded line of new XF lenses that will bring even more functionally to the X-Pro1 system," said Go Miyazaki, division president, Imaging and Electronic Imaging Divisions, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. "These new premium FUJIFILM XF lenses are designed to deliver stunning image results, and they also fit seamlessly with the build and beauty of the FUJIFILM X-Pro1."

The award-winning FUJIFILM X-Pro1 digital camera features a custom-developed 16MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensorTM that incorporates a newly developed filter array and Fujifilm's proprietary EXR Processor technology. The FUJIFILM X-Pro1 delivers superlative image quality that rivals currently available mid and high-end DSLR models. The FUJIFILM X-Pro1 also features the unmatched 2nd Generation Hybrid Multi Viewfinder, a gorgeous magnesium alloy chassis, and an improved user interface for easy and intuitive operation.

To see amazing images taken with FUJIFILM X-Series cameras, please visit: http://fujifilm-x.com/photographers/en/index.html.

Pricing and availability will be announced at or near the launch time.

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Gmail for iOS gets notification support and persistent logins, brings joy to Apple mobile masses

By Michael Gorman posted Jun 25th 2012 2:21PM

It took quite awhile for the official Gmail app to arrive for our Apple-toting friends, but when it debuted, it lacked many features enjoyed by Android users. Well, today the iOS Gmail app got a refresh that brings it a bit closer to the green bot version. Chiefly, notification support to allow folks to set up banner alerts and lock screen notifications, so they no longer have to check their inbox for new messages. Not only that, the app now has persistent login capability, meaning no more re-entry of your Gmail credentials every time you're preoccupied slaying space pigs for a few hours. Interested parties can hit the source link to get the new goodies.

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Lovefilm, Fox UK deal brings more TV shows next month, movie exclusives in 2013

AMAZON'S LOVEFiLM SIGNS TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX CONTENT DEAL

LONDON--June 25, 2012--LOVEFiLM, an Amazon Company, and Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution have today announced a major multi-year content deal giving LOVEFiLM members streaming access to recent and forthcoming movies and TV series.

LOVEFiLM members will have instant, exclusive on-demand access to what is known as the second pay television window of Twentieth Century Fox film content.

The film deal commences with titles theatrically released in the UK in 2011, which will be made available to subscribers to the LOVEFiLM service as early as March 2013.

The deal with Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution will also give LOVEFiLM members access to movies and TV series from the studio's library of much-loved titles, and will add to LOVEFiLM's already extensive TV catalogue. TV titles from Twentieth Century Fox's television library, available from July 2012, will include early seasons of motorcycle drama Sons of Anarchy and all seasons of 24, Prison Break, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel.

LOVEFiLM members will be able to enjoy these, and a huge range of other titles, on-demand as part of their subscription via the LOVEFiLM Instant service – available on the PC, Mac or via Sony Playstation®3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Apple iPad® and a growing number of Internet-connected TV sets and Blu-ray players.

This is the latest in a long line of content deals announced by LOVEFiLM in the past 12 months, including agreements with Warner Bros., Sony Pictures, NBC Universal, Entertainment One, STUDIOCANAL, Disney, ABC, BBC and ITV.

Amazon's LOVEFiLM will continue to rent Twentieth Century Fox titles on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-Ray 3D via its LOVEFiLM By Post service.

Jim Buckle, MD of LOVEFiLM, said: "It feels great to announce another major studio deal for LOVEFiLM. Twentieth Century Fox is one of the world's leading studios, known across the globe for creating fantastic, iconic content. This partnership will give LOVEFiLM members access to the studio's huge range of recent movies and the opportunity to revisit some of the best American TV series produced in recent years."

Gina Brogi, EVP of Worldwide Pay Television and Subscription Video on Demand for Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution added: "We are delighted to be partnered with LOVEFiLM on this new window for Fox films in the UK. This film and series agreement enables us to give UK fans yet another avenue to enjoy the great stories and characters they have come to know and love from our studio."

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Huawei brings out Ascend P1 2600 mAh XL for battery junkies, throws in E5151 hotspot

Huawei's presence at Mobile Asia Expo this year has a distinct flavor of RAZR Maxx about it. The Ascend P1 is getting a fresh 2600 mAh XL variant that does exactly what it says on the tin: throw almost 56 percent more battery power at the previously skinny Android 4.0 device. Along with this and a TD-SCDMA variant of the P1 for China Mobile fans, the other standout is the (not yet pictured) Mobile WiFi E5151, which brings a rare Ethernet jack to the 3G hotspot world for hoping onto the Internet in a more traditional form. It's radio silence on the E5151's release, but those in Huawei's native China can look forward to buying the lengthily-titled Ascend P1 2600 mAh XL in the summer -- just don't assume it will cross the ocean anytime soon.

Huawei Device showcases its portfolio of star products at the Mobile Asia Expo 2012

Launch of the Ascend P1 TD- SCDMA and 2600mAh XL smartphones highlight Huawei's commitment to expanding its product portfolio

Shanghai, China, 20 June 2012: Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, launched the Ascend P1 TD-SCDMA and the 2600 mAh XL versions at the GSMA Mobile Asia Expo 2012 in Shanghai today. The Ascend P1 TD-SCDMA will be available for sale through e-commerce channels in China at the end of June, while the Ascend P1 XL will be available for sale in China in Q3. At the Expo, Huawei is also showcasing its star products including quad-core smartphone Ascend D quad, the dual-core smartphone Ascend D1, the quad-core HD tablet MediaPad 10 FHD, the compact dual-core smartphone Ascend P1, and Mobile WiFi E5331 and E5151.

"2012 has been an exciting year for Huawei Device as we innovate and transform to achieve a stronger performance in this competitive market," said Shao Yang, Chief Marketing Officer, Huawei Device. "With the creation of both our star and flagship product series, Huawei Device is working towards establishing a new industry standard that provides outstanding product experiences for consumers. At the same time, Huawei Device is transforming to become a more consumer-facing brand, actively communicating our own value proposition and steadily progressing towards our goal of becoming one of the world's leading mobile phone brands."

The Ascend P1 TD-SCDMA and 2600 mAh XL versions, displayed for the first time at the Mobile Asia Expo, are the latest in the Ascend P1 series providing a high-end experience while offering a more personalized choice for consumers. Also on display are other star products from Huawei such as the Ascend D quad, Ascend D1, MediaPad 10 FHD, Ascend P1, Huawei Honor, and the new generation 4.0 thousand yuan smartphone Ascend C8812.

At the Mobile Asia Expo, Huawei Device is also showcasing its data card product series which includes a total of seven products ranging from PA+ standard of 21Mbps downlink speed to LTE Cat4 standard of 150Mbps downlink speed. Highlights of the data card products include the Mobile WiFi E5331, winner of the Red Dot Design Award in Germany, and the new Mobile WiFi E5151 with its Ethernet port supporting Ethernet and 3G dual-WAN connectivity.

Huawei Device's presence at the Mobile Asia Expo is testament to the company's ongoing commitment to the global smartphone industry. In 2011 Huawei generated sales revenue of US$6.8 billion, and smartphone shipments of 20 million units. In 2012, Huawei is expected to achieve revenue of US$9 billion, with smartphone shipments of 60 million units.

The Ascend P1 launched in China in April this year and is now available in more than 1,000 high-end retail stores throughout the country. In the coming half year, the Huawei Ascend P1 will be commercially available in Germany, Russia, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The Huawei Ascend D1 will soon be available on e-commerce channels in China, while Ascend D quad is scheduled for commercial availability in China in the second half of 2012.

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