Social TV: Twitter and Facebook to conquer the small screen

Social networks, Twitter in mind, are becoming increasingly important in the relationship of viewers on television and advertising strategies. In Focus, new sources of revenue for the sites.

Television has officially become the new advertising grail of social networks . The proof Nielsen launched Monday a new audience measurement of TV programs in the United States, including the hearing of the shows on Twitter. It is also on Monday that Facebook has announced an agreement with TF1 and Canal + , which will now have access to the data - aggregated anonymously and in real time - users commenting on their programs on the social network.

For the moment, Twitter is ahead of Facebook . On the one hand because its platform is open and it is much easier for partners to have access to qualitative data. On the other hand because it has already launched products for advertisers in the world of television (targeting solutions and streaming video clips associated with sharing advertising revenue).

Engaging fans as advertising purchase criterion TV

For some advertisers, engaging fans on Twitter becomes a media buying criteria in television, says Wall Street Journal who interviewed channels and media agencies. Twitter and Facebook hope that their next TV will be a growth engine for their use and a way of eating into the budget for TV advertising .

Some figures actually argue for the influence of television on the conversations of social networks, and vice versa. For example, the final episode of the series Breaking Bad , a number of hearings on Twitter the week of September 23, according to Nielsen, has attracted more than 1.2 million tweets, including retweets, posted by 600,000 users in 10 hours time. 9.3 million unique visitors have seen these messages. On Facebook, in 24 hours, 3 million people have commented on the episode or "like" a message posted on the social network about it, said the New York Times .

Sport is another favorite subject for fans of the TV company . It represents only 2-3% of the programs in the United States, but drains nearly 50% of the activity on Twitter, the newspaper said, citing Nielsen.

One in six Americans post a message while watching a program

The research firm found that the ratio between the number of people who post messages on Twitter about a TV program and the number of people who see these messages is 1 to 50. These conversations have a positive effect on the audience of the site and program.

According to eMarketer, about half of American viewers visit a social network while watching a program, and one in six post a message in connection with this program.

According to Nielsen, the number of people who tweet about a TV program increased by 24% in a year in the United States. 

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Samsung Galaxy Round vs. LG G Flex: embittered Media Race for flexible displays

The day has been in the absence of other sensations, all about the flexible displays. After the issue in the past week have taken had it today a new clash of the two driving forces, Samsung and LG. Had only informed that their stretchable display is now in mass production since the latter. A tablet with the new 6-inch surface could thus be ready for the market in November, confessed to Reuters and thus is in line with earlier news. The LG OLED panel is supposed to be only 0.44 mm thin and weighs 7.2 g. The bend is concave, along the vertical axis - like the drawing from our previous report . Whether actually or perhaps LG LG Flex Z ,, there was no new information. Shortly afterwards came the next message relating to flexible screens in South Korea, this time by rival Samsung. The smartphone market leader stressed that it is much faster and even longer in mass production for their own development. At first, I was reminiscent of the early Cold War, when the Russians and the Americans had come with their space programs for bitter propaganda race. Korean media reported in the last week of a timely introduction within the next five days. The flexible OLED Samsung is reported differently zuvir, 5.7-inches tall, weighs only 5.2 grams and even barely visible 0.12 millimeters thin. To become standard pixel density early-adopter must probably do without, because the resolution of the new screen surface area is 1920 x 1080 pixels. In addition to the maximum radius of the Samsung OLED can be bent to be larger than the competition from LG. At the same time also appeared the alleged name "Galaxy Round" in the media. This should have the same Hardware specs, like the Galaxy Note 3 Unlike LG like a banana the display from Samsung is apparently not bent, but falls on the long sides towards the outside. Prototypes of its Youm displays Samsung leads for over one and a half years on the major mobile measuring ago. The curved outer surface has always represented as an extra button or for alerts, for example in the form of a treadmill. Basically, this new OLED panels are thinner, lighter and more resilient than their previously established Glass pendants. The flexible character of course does not yet have on the form factor, since the rest of the smartphone is still rigid. Futurists, the reason for the meaning of all the questions (after looking at the reactions of a subject), should see the first models as an intermediate step because of flexible components such as batteries and memory blocks being researched and developed in parallel so that the fold-able mobile gadget with every day a bit closer. But before standing at the premiere models from LG, Samsung, respectively, and there can manufacture both currently still limited quantities per month, Samsung Galaxy and LG G Round Flex will certainly have their exclusive price.

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Computer carbon nanotubes the future of computing

The computer of the future will be smaller, fast, efficient and operate new materials. In this context, a group of American researchers created a prototype based on carbon nanotubes. Technology conceived as an alternative to the use of silicon, facing physical limits.

Presented as a graphene sheet rolled, the carbon nanotube is used here to create a new type of transistor. The computer developed by engineers at the University of Stanford is certainly rudimentary, it opens the way to more powerful but also energy-efficient machines. To achieve this functional prototype, the scientists had to overcome the major problems associated with the handling and assembly of carbon nanotubes. Indeed, they have imperfections that make their integration into electronic circuits. In the end, the computer with a processor consists of 178 transistors and clocked at 1 kHz. Each transistor contains 10 to 200 nanotubes. Also multitasking, it performs a basic operating system for counting and sorting numbers with the ability to switch between the two.

This computer is the first of its kind, but its designers are considering further research to develop models based on carbon nanotubes more sophisticated in the future.

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Panasonic WT-600: Ultra-HD TV with 4K, 60 frames per second, HDMI 2.0

The Panasonic Viera TX-L65WT600E supports the first Ultra high-definition television in the world 4K signals with up to 60 frames per second, based on the new standard HDMI 2.0 and 1.2a Display Port TM. This means that the TV set is suitable for both in home entertainment as well as in the use of TV studios.In combination with a 2.000 Hz bls technology of 165cm (65 inches) to achieve great TV especially high motion blur what should be rewarded, especially in sports and action scenes as well as in computer games.

4K video from USB and from the Internet

The TV unit has a screen size of 165 cm and is THX certified 4K. 4K Ultra HD content can be in a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels look. As the first television supports WT600 direct playback of 4K video (H.264, MPEG4) from USB, SD card , or online sources such as YouTube.Images can be viewed on a 4K SD Photo Viewer.

TV and social media terminal

As with all Smart VIERA TVs is wireless as standard. The access to multimedia content from the home network designed so very easy.Besides the popular social media applications Facebook and Twitter, Skype is also on board. Using a camera moving up automatically when needed anytime video calls are performed.

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Audi Q1 mini SUV comes as economical hybrid version

Audi is bringing the mini SUV Q1 2016 expected on the market.Beginning of 2018 is also a version follow a particularly economical hybrid SUV, reports "Auto Bild". With electrical support should be as low as 1.5 liters per 100 km consumption here.

The most compact Audi SUV

The Q1 is only 3.80 meters long, so about one meter shorter than the Q7. Technical basis is the VW Polo and the successor to the Skoda Yeti . Despite the typical SUV characteristics such as elevated seating position and generous ground clearance, the Q1 will be no real road car.Also a four-wheel drive is not planned. The best variant of Q1 will cost less than 20,000 euros.

Wide variety of engines

The petrol and diesel engines ranging from 90 HP up to a two-liter gasoline engine with 231 hp for the SQ1 . In the hybrid version of the Ingolstadt combine a 1.2 liter gasoline engine (110 hp) with a 109 hp electric motor.

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HTC suffers its first quarterly loss, rumors of a takeover by Chinese

The Taiwanese smartphone maker has fallen into the red in the third quarter with a loss of 74 million euros. And for the first time since 2002.

HTC sinks . The Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer posted a quarterly loss for the first time in its history, its new flagship model, the HTC One , failing to recover sales.

The group posted a net loss of 2.97 billion Taiwan dollars (74.3 million euros) , against a net profit of 3.9 TWD the third quarter of 2012 and 1.25 TWD billion in the second quarter of 2013, he said Friday. sales fell 33% year on year to TWD 47.05 billion, well below the 50-60000000000 provided by the group.

"Basically, there are many problems to solve," said Laura Chen, analyst at BNP Paribas, adding that the company should improve its marketing strategy, the management of its supply chain and its products. "No sign of recovery in the near future."

HTC had previously indicated to expect a loss for the period from July to September, due to a decline in sales, while the costs of production and marketing for its latest model, the HTC One, they were on the rise . The HTC One, billed as "a breakthrough", has a touch screen of 4.7 inches, a smooth aluminum shell and front dual stereo speakers. It can also act as a remote control decoder box (STB TV).

Rumors of a takeover by Chinese

However, after falling in the first place, the HTC Action rebounded to post a gain of 2% on the day following a research note Fubon Securities raising the possibility that the company is close to a group Chinese , whose name was not given, through a cooperative agreement or a merger.

Like other smartphone manufacturers, including Nokia and BlackBerry, HTC does not have the critical mass against its major competitors like Apple and Samsung and its difficulties are getting worse this year, resulting in a fall of 55% its share price.

In addition to the departure of leaders and infighting, the group is facing, according to sources, to supply problems in the manufacture of its HTC One Mini.

The share of the global smartphone market occupied by HTC is heavily settled, 10.3% in the third quarter of 2011 to 2.6% last quarter, according to research firm Gartner. HTC does and most of the ten largest sellers of smartphones, according to data from another consulting firm ABI Research. To boost sales, HTC plans to launch by the end of the year means end devices at cheaper prices, especially in China.

But analysts point out that the market is already highly competitive, with local companies such as Xiaomi offering much cheaper devices.

While selling devices under its own brand, the Taiwanese group subcontractor for several major groups. In particular, it provides for its Google Nexus One.

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Twitter, explosive growth but losses

Twitter has revealed details of its highly anticipated IPO project. The social network wants to raise $ 1 billion. However, he warns that it may never become profitable.

The entrance to Twitter traded looks as the most awaited by the Silicon Valey operation since that wasted from Facebook . The microblogging social network based there 8 years, released Thursday, Oct. 3 its highly anticipated IPO project. Twitter hopes this operation up to $ 1 billion (€ 734 million). However, the social network revealed on this occasion he still losing money despite explosive growth.

The registration document for the introduction on the market, available in the U.S. stock gendarme (SEC) website states that the operation will take place "as soon as possible." The group, however, must meet a deadline at least 21 days before its leaders begin the tour of institutional investors and present their future titles. The entry should not take place before the end of October or early November.

As is usual at this stage of the procedure, a series of details, such as the number or price of shares are not yet determined. However, the document provides an interim order of magnitude, considering that the fundraiser could go up to a billion dollars.

Trading under the symbol TWTR

Beginning in 2013, the purchase by Blackrock , the world leader in asset management, participation in Twitter, valued the company at more than nine billion or € 6.8 billion. However, the strong evolution of Twitter suggests that the value of investments increased. On the secondary market, the company is valued in a range of 15 to 16 billion dollars, "said Michael Pachter , an analyst at Wedbush Securities, the newspaper Les Echos.

Twitter does not specify immediately if also opt for the Nasdaq or the concurrent introduction of the New York Stock Exchange, just saying it will be listed under the symbol "TWTR".

In issuing its IPO project, especially the social network gives the opportunity for investors to have for the first time details of its financial data, until a well-kept secret.

Every day, more than 100 million people publish an average of 500 million "tweets", these messages of 140 characters that are specific network. The network, which employs about 2,000 people, boasts 218 million active users at least once a month at the end of June, according to him represents an increase of 44% year on year.

The turnover has tripled its share last year to $ 317 million, and it already reached 253.6 million for the first six months of this year. For comparison, the world champion Facebook sector for the first half, with its more than one billion members, some $ 3.3 billion in revenue.

Uncertain profitability

Twitter also underlines its strength in mobile, an indicator closely followed by investors and Internet sector that has long been one of their major concern at Facebook. The network said to have generated more than 65% of its advertising revenue in the second quarter with its access on smartphones and tablets against 41% in its rival Facebook . Twitter is now dependent on advertising , which accounted for 85% of turnover in 2012 and 87% in the first half of 2013.

The network admits, however, a net loss of nearly $ 80 million in all of 2012, and 69.3 million for the first half of 2013 alone. "We may not be able to become or remain profitable," warns the social network in the section of the document which outlines the risks facing its future shareholders.

"Our financial performance is and will remain determined significantly by our ability to increase the number of users and their level of commitment to our platform, as well as the number of ads," there he says.

The group warns in particular that its results could suffer if the amount or interest published on its platform content decreased, and it loses its relevance to users.

The challenge for Twitter is to avoid repeating the mistakes of Facebook , whose introduction on the Nasdaq electronic platform last year had proved disastrous: the first session was punctuated by numerous technical problems, and during the action was quickly collapsed flux half months.

The course of the Facebook share is pressed that this was above its IPO price of $ 38, but seems to have recovered the bar again this week with a record high at $ 51.24.

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