China's Huawei launches smartphone to conquer Europe

Chinese brand had already made it big last year , organizing the global launch of its smartphone Ascend P6 in London, in the heart of the European market where Huawei, a leading Chinese telecommunications seeks to develop. So far, the Chinese produced input phones and midrange . But the situation has changed .

This year, Huawei has chosen to launch the Ascend P7 in Paris. The manufacturer submitted Wednesday, May 7 smartphone with stylish design and functionality developed to satisfy a clientele fond of sophisticated devices. Performance , very thin ( 6.5 mm thick ) designed for 4G , with 2 gigabytes of RAM, the Ascend P7 allows to make beautiful selfies with its 8-megapixel front camera . Its features include a power-saving mode that extends the life of the laptop twenty-four hours when battery reaches 10% , and software to navigate perfectly between 3G and 4G according to the network status. The smartphone , which works with a customized version of Android will be available for purchase at the beginning of June.

Huawei is far from being a beginner on French soil . This giant telecommunications network built 40% of mobile phone antennas in the world. But Huawei wants more: builder and manufacturer, it wants to become a brand, and has to do this on the seductive power of Ascend. "We want to be known for our phones said Andrew Connell , marketing director , responsible for developing devices for Western Europe , and offer the best technology. " A 449 euros - in the case of a non-subsidized purchase - the Ascend P7 indeed offers functionality and a design worthy of the iPhone ( Apple) or Galaxy (Samsung).

SE NAME AND BUILD AN IMAGE

Third largest manufacturer of phones , Huawei still has some way to go to position against its competitors , " the gap between us is still important ," admits Mr. Connell , who was in Paris for the launch of the smartphone. But it must be the spearhead of the transition. Huawei plans to sell 10 million devices Ascend P7, against 5 million for its predecessor, the Ascend P6 .

To build a name and image in Europe , Huawei not only boasts the excellence of its technology ; it also wants to occupy the land by other means . The brand has partnered with Paris Saint -Germain , like many other football clubs in Europe, to promote the growth of its recognition by the public. "The use of this type of platform has worked very well in Spain ," says Connell .

In France , the brand begins to awaken interest : the recognition rate increased from 10 % to 27% in one year. If its products are still confidential , the brand is a major player in the industry: it filed 20% of world patents on 4G technology. A huge share of world research in this area , when compared with Huawei's market share in the mobile phone in the world, which did not exceed 5 % in the first quarter, according to figures from TrendForce cabinet.

A Japanese man arrested for guns created with a 3D printer

A Japanese 27 years was arrested Thursday, May 8 in the suburbs of Tokyo for manufactured home with a three-dimensional printer ( 3D) several guns capable of firing , according to images broadcast by NHK public broadcaster . Yoshitomo Imura , employee of a university, acknowledged the facts but assured that he was unaware that his actions were outlawed.

The person who lives in Kawasaki (near Tokyo) , had posted there some time on the Internet a video showing the weapons created with 3D printer, which put a flea in the ear of the police .

According to security services quoted by NHK , were found five guns manufactured home as well , including two with shooting abilities . However, no bullet was discovered.

3D printers are a bit larger objects than traditional printers that create objects highlighted by layering thin layers of plastic or other fondues, from data created on computer. Consumer models are now on sale in Japan from 450 euros. This is the first time a Japanese stopped for this reason, NHK said .

Nintendo in the red because of the Wii U

Pokemon of the father is not in top form . The giant Nintendo video games announced Wednesday, May 7 , a net loss of € 170 million for its fiscal year from April 2013 to March 2014. Its turnover fell by 10 % , reaching 4.2 billion. Concerned, his last two games consoles have not had the expected success.

Wii U home console output end of 2012, will have elapsed at 2.72 million units worldwide for the year of 2013-2014 . The Japanese company hopes to have sold 9 million to December 2013 and had revised downwards its objectives , targeting 2.80 million .

WII U AWAY SUCCESS OF THE WII

We are very far from the success of the Wii, the previous generation console, released in 2006 , which has sold over 100 million copies. Satoru Iwata , CEO of Nintendo, already acknowledged in February that its consoles , especially the Wii U, had not yet found their audience and suffered from shortcomings.

"The machine was poorly thought. Many people do not understand the usefulness of the gamepad (joystick) that also integrates tactile elements , "says Julien Villedieu , Delegate of the National Union of gaming.

The results of the 3DS , the portable feature of the Kyoto group console, has left, mixed: 12.24 million machines were sold worldwide in twelve months , against the 13.5 million hoped for. The goal , however, is slightly exceeded for related games carried by the success of Pokemon, Zelda or Mario 68 million units sold against 66 million hoped for.

So, the Japanese company has lost much of its luster. On the gaming industry , it represents only 16% of consoles sold worldwide . In 2008, she still held 46% of the market.

ENOUGH NOT FOCUSED ON SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS

" The consoles and games are Nintendo craft heart." Pronounced on February 4 , at a conference in Tokyo this sentence M.Iwata summarizes the continuing strategy of the Japanese pioneer of video games.

The latter has been little investment in applications on smartphone or tablet , the two supports of the hottest games the last two or three years. He hopes rather enjoy the installed base of 3DS to boost sales of associated games, and wants to add features to its Wii U hoping to give him the missing appeal.

However, times are good games on smartphone. In 2018 , gaming applications should reach 35 % share of the video game market , against 23% for console games according to research firm IHS Technology.

In Japan , sales of consoles and associated games fell 9 % in 2013 compared to 2012 and 40% from 2007 to 2013 inclusive . The country of the Rising Sun has even become the world's largest market for smartphone applications in October 2013, before the United States , thanks to dedicated gaming.

Nintendo but do not despair . Confident about its future investments , the group hopes for the coming year ( April 2014 to March 2015) an increase of 3.2 % of its turnover to 4.7 billion euros and an operating profit of € 283 million .

Declare or télédéclarer ?

The objective of the 2014 campaign, developed by the Agency Stakeholders on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, is to " increase the number of French who report their income online " on the site Impots.gouv.fr . "We had to find the right tone , based on the offset and popular personality Lucienne Moreau, on a subject that is not necessarily ready to laugh ," says Hervé Brasselet , partner in the agency.

A 81 -year-old actress is known for his column "The Lucienne live report " in " Le Petit Journal " on Canal + , her needlework in a commercial for Cetelem and its radio operations on the morning wave of Virgin Radio. With its contribution to the three video tutorials of social networking component of the Tax Administration campaign, it adds a new string to his bow and " makes (almost) cool the tax return ," she retweet about him @ LucienneMoreau1 .

" There were more than 13 million returns online in 2013, ahead Bruno Bezard , general manager of public finances. We hope to exceed that figure in 2014 but we have no specific goal to achieve . " Lucienne to the rescue!

" FINISH laugh "

The first part of this video triptych posted on Monday, May 5 YouTube channel DGFiP Media, explains the basics of online reporting . In twenty-four hours, it has been viewed more than 17 000 times.

Should we in this emerging success Lucienne humorous ? The grandmother is installed, facing the camera in a Chesterfield sofa. "Stop there, what's that ? , She asked the intruder in the field. A microphone ? It annoys me, " she says by way of introduction , before adding: " No more laughing . I'll show you how to declare tax on the Impots.gouv.fr site. "

Computer on her lap , reporting and tax notice received by post under the elbow , Lucienne invites the vidéospectateur to connect to Impots.gouv.fr , ensuring previously that " it will address, not too complicated ? Dropoff window. "It's super simple , provides Lucienne . And more, it is the environment - 200 tonnes of paper saved in 2013 - the birds , bears, clams. I like it clams. " Not a penny heavy for Lucienne . This is my statement.

BUZZ - Why your photo will work on social networks

Why a picture she becomes popular ? This issue has attracted the attention of several US researchers have created an algorithm in response to know , even before its publication on social networks , successful experience as a photo.

From the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT ), these scientists have collected data from 2.3 million photos from Flickr to finally realize that they could anticipate the popularity of an image from its content and what they call the "social context". Among the factors considered in the algorithm -specific elements in the image such as color, textures , gradients, and these objects, but also various contextual elements , such as the number of friends and photos posted by the user.

    Colors. More colors appearing in the picture is bright and clear , over the supposed popularity of your photo is high .
    Objects. Researchers have categorized some specific objects and detailed impact. Among those who will have a positive effect on the popularity of your photo are the Bikini, a perfume or a revolver. Conversely, the appearance of a spatula, a laptop computer or a booster heater on your shot will not success.
    Action. The presence of human beings and actions or activities are associated with a higher popularity of the image.

This research is particularly interesting as the MIT website offers anyone to upload a photo on its platform and know its potential to become popular on the web.

Nike reduces the wing on its connected bracelets

At the time everyone spends more and more time to monitor their health and well-being, Nike's decision to trim its dedicated teams FuelBand , bracelet connected (smart band) , has surprising. The information was initially provided by the site Cnet , which evokes massive layoffs in the division dedicated to the darling object of athletes and phobic of inactivity.

The firm has denied wanting to stop marketing the bracelet, but said his efforts would turn more towards the application related to smart band . The trade press has drawn the conclusion that no new version of FuelBand would be placed on the market . And point to some technical weaknesses of it , Nike is still a beginner in the field of data collection and analysis. Expensive to develop and not so easy to sell because of its price ( over a hundred euros ), the FuelBand will better meet the requirements of users in a highly competitive environment . Hence the decision to Nike to focus its development efforts on the software part associated with the bracelet.

Mark Parker , CEO of Nike , interviewed on CNBC , guaranteed that its partnership with Apple, the software part , continued . Apple is its highly anticipated side in this segment : the name " iWatch " was introduced there several months , and speculation is rife about the possibilities of a connected health shows Apple.

According to figures published by the research firm Canalys , the demand for smart bands is expected to reach 17 million units in 2017. The Fitbit dominates the market for basic bracelets, followed by the Jawbone Up . Nike comes in third position. As for bands smart "smart" Samsung is the leader with his bracelet Gear. In France , the historical manufacturer of scales, Terraillon , will launch on the market in May with the Activit Band bracelet, also coupled to an application

Competition is fierce among the various portable devices : most of the objects provides a measure of physical activity ( usually in "points" , each brand has its own system, it is not necessarily obvious to them trace ) , and a calorie counting. The reliability of this type of measurement is medically questionable , and several studies have highlighted significant distortions between the same action on several different dipositifs .

A high tech pool movable floor

 Hidden water pools manufacturer offers an ingenious system for
 bring up a pool in the garden by simply pressing a button.
 This revolutionary pool is actually a rise terrace platform
 hydraulics, controlled from a control panel.The terrace down to the bottom of the water to become the floor of a swimming pool.
 The main advantage is to choose the depth of the pool,
 allowing users to have a wading pool, ideal for children,
 or deep pool. The complete descent of the Hidden water pools
 is done in less than two minutes. Very safe for children, simply
 pressing the control panel to bring the surface deck.
 The water remains safe from dirt. The terrace acts as cover
 thermal keeping the temperature of the water and limiting evaporation.
 Several models are available, round or rectangular shapes.
 The manufacturer Hidden Water Pools also offers many options
 to customize the terrace; different patterns, LED lighting, fountains,
 fountains ...