In a live stream, Blackmagic Design’s CEO Grant Petty unveiled three new cameras, two new control panels, a new camera app for iPhones, a new router  and a host of software upgrades for  DaVinci Resolve 18.6, Fusion Studio 18.6, Blackmagic Web Presenter 3.3 and ATEM Switchers 9.2.

The new cameras include Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K ($2,595; available now). The new high end digital film camera features a full frame 6K sensor, 13 stops of dynamic range, L-Mount lens mount and dual native ISO up to 25,600 for incredible low light performance and recording to CFexpress cards. 

This new model also offers a massive 24 x 36mm 6K sensor, allowing for large format cinema camera image quality in a portable, lightweight body. Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K uses an L-Mount for lenses which works with a wide range of new and vintage lenses for a wider range of creative choices.

The second new camera is Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera 4K G2 ($995; available October 2023), which is the next generation model of the popular Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera 4K. 

The new model retains tje compact design of the original model, but now upgraded with a 4K digital film sensor with 13 stops of dynamic range and dual native ISO up to 25,600 for incredible low light performance. In addition, Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera 4K G2 adds 12G-SDI for operation up to 2160p60, and a new USB-C expansion port for recording Blackmagic RAW to external disks as well as network control via Ethernet adapters.

The third camera, Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus G2 ($1,345; available now) is an updated studio camera model which adds 12G-SDI allowing customers to connect it to SDI based switchers such as ATEM Constellation. The new model also adds support for remote camera control over networks via REST APIs and talkback on 3.5mm headsets. Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus G2 retains the same amazing 4K digital film sensor with 13 stops of dynamic range, MFT lens mount and compact all-in-one design of the previous model. 

The company also unveiled the Blackmagic Camera App (free; available now). It adds digital film camera controls to the Apple iPhone. Based on the same operating system as Blackmagic Design's award winning digital film cameras, these professional features give iPhone content creators the same tools used in feature films, television and documentaries. Support for Blackmagic Cloud allows creators to collaborate and share media with multiple editors and colorists around the world instantly.

The company also launched ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panel 20 and ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panel 30 (from $3,899; available October 2023).

The two new hardware control panels that are designed to access the full power of ATEM Constellation HD and 4K switchers. The new ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panel 20 and 30 models feature the same elegant design as the 2 M/E and 4 M/E Advanced Panels, but in a compact size to fit into any broadcast studio space. The new 1 M/E panels include up to 3 system control LCDs, buttons for control of 4 upstream keyers, 4 downstream keyers and 4 M/E rows as well as a joystick, T-bar fader and more.

In addition, it showed off a new router, the new Blackmagic Videohub 80x80 12G ($9,995; available November 2023). A larger 80x80 12G-SDI router that lets customers connect and route any combination of SD, HD and Ultra HD on the same router at the same time. Blackmagic Videohub 80x80 12G features a front panel with shortcut buttons, an LCD which can display labels or live video, a machined metal spin knob for browsing video sources, reference connections and redundant power. 

In addition, it released a number of new software updates, including DaVinci Resolve 18.6, Fusion Studio 18.6, Blackmagic Web Presenter 3.3 and ATEM Switchers 9.2.

The new DaVinci Resolve 18.6 update include: 

• New Blackmagic Camera cloud workflow syncs captures to cloud projects.
• Support for Blackmagic Cloud Storage with synced project media and files.
• Automatic proxy generation and upload to Blackmagic Cloud Storage.
• Support for outer text stroke in titles and subtitles.
• Ability to assign and apply favorite keywords to clips and markers.
• Support for Fusion USD scenes with materials and volumes.
• Import multiple mono audio files with suffixes as a multichannel clip.
• Support for target audio loudness standards on renders.

The initial success of 5G will be driven by fixed wireless services rather than mobile apps, as nearly half of consumers believe that current smartphone designs will not be able to take advantage of the standard’s ultra-fast speeds. This is prompting most consumers to look first at using 5G to replace home wireless broadband and cable TV. In addition, many believe that 5G will mean that smartphones could be replaced by augmented reality glasses within the next five years.

These are some of the conclusions drawn by Ericsson in its new “5G Consumer Potential” report that focuses on “busting the myths around the value of 5G for consumers.” The report is the result of more than 35,000 online interviews conducted by Ericsson Consumer & Industry Lab on consumers aged 15-69 in 22 countries, as well as interviews with industry experts.

The report predicts worldwide adoption of 5G will come in three phases:

• Home wireless broadband and premium smartphone experiences that allow content to be downloaded in seconds are expected to go mainstream within one year of 5G launch;

• Moving away from traditional cable TV and opting for a UHD TV service (5G TV) bundled with 5G home wireless broadband (this was the most popular on consumer’s wishlist), and

• The ability to use 5G hot zone services that offer ultra-high speeds and reliability in demanding locations like airports, shopping streets and office spaces.

According to the report, a quarter of households (one-third in the U.S.) have become “hyperconnected” with more than 10 connected devices, covering smartphones, tablets, PCs, smart TVs, voice controlled devices and VR headsets. Households worldwide average six connected screens and one third expect to add at least one more screen within the next year.

Consumer dissatisfaction over slower than advertised broadband speeds and inadequate TV bundles is prompting one-third of fixed home broadband users to look for alternate providers, Ericsson says. When offered the prospect of 5G home wireless broadband, 8 of 10 who say they want to switch would consider supplementing or outright replacing their service.

"The market is established and home 4G broadband connections are under pressure,” said Jan Trionow, CEO of Austrian-based telco Three. “Capacity is needed to continue the business, improve connectivity and to do this on a nationwide scale.”

The attraction of 5G services vary geographically, according to the report, with U.S. and U.K. consumers preferring to attach 5G TV services to their plan; Chinese preferring a 5G “smart home;” Koreans advocating shopping in VR with tactile feedback and Saudi Arabian consumers preferring immersive.

The death of the smartphone in its current form factor has been predicted for several years now and consumers seem to have paid attention, according to Ericsson. Half of those surveyed believe that by 2025, smartphones will still exist, but that many others will be using 5G-enabled “smart glasses” that use augmented reality to display and manipulate much more data.

"The smartphone will be dead in five years' time," predicts Johan Hagegård at IMRSV, an AR/VR innovation house. "I will instead have smart glasses in front of me all the time." Matt Stagg of EE agrees with this bold prediction: "The smartphone as we see it now does not have anything on it. It can't take advantage of 5G, such as holographic apps, in the longer term."

Average world smartphone usage in 2018 stood at 5.6 GB per month and is expected to increase to 21 GB per month in 2024, an increase of roughly 4x from today's usage, according to Ericsson. And with the emergence of 5G, consumers also expect to vastly increase their use of video, including viewing video on holographic displays.

Currently video consumes 60 percent of worldwide data usage and half of the consumers surveyed said they expect 5G will spur them to watch more video content in 4K.

In terms of affordability, on average, smartphone users said they would be willing to pay a premium of 20 percent over and above what they pay today for the benefits of 5G. However, half of all early adopters who are familiar with 5G's promises could pay as much as 32 percent more than they do today, according to Ericsson.

“Consumers' willingness to pay should be interpreted as a stronger measure of their interest in 5G-enabled services," Ericsson said. "However, it should not be interpreted as a prediction of how much they will pay for a certain service.”

LONDON—The BBC's chairman David Clementi has said the corporation faces a huge challenge with the “smartphone generation."

Speaking at the Voice of the Listener and Viewer spring conference, Clementi said more work has to be done to capture the 16 to 34-year-old audience: “This age group represents our biggest challenge."

“They watch less TV than older people and listen to less radio. They are the smartphone generation and their view of the world is shaped by social media. It is a generation with which we have to work hard to remain relevant.”

[Read: Are Smartphones The Future Of TV News?]

He said of younger viewers: “This is the generation for whom the one thing they can’t afford to lose is their smartphone. Their whole life revolves around it.”

Clementi also warned the Corporation's ability to fund original British content has decreased.

He said that as commercial broadcasters were hit by “dwindling advertising revenues … the volume and breadth of British content that British audiences rely upon is now under real threat."

“It is not limited to drama. It is about home-made content across all genres,” he told the audience, adding that “there are some serious challenges ahead."

LOS ANGELES—Fox Sports is launching a new talk show shot entirely on iPhones and iPads and simultaneously live streamed on four platforms—Facebook, Periscope, YouTube and Fox Sports Go.

Fox Sports said the endeavor was believed to be the first-of-its-kind “quadcast.” The program, entitled “Outkick the Show,” is hosted by Fox Sports College Football Insider Clay Travis and is being live streamed Monday-Friday at noon Eastern.

“Outkick the Show” is an extension of Travis’ blog, “Outkick the Coverage.” The new program features Travis giving his take on the headlines of the day in sports and pop culture, interviewing guests, and answering real-time questions from fans on Facebook and Periscope. One of Travis’ earliest guests was SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, with whom he discussed Sankey’s first job and his thoughts on the SEC this season.

“Outkick the Show” is live streamed using three iPhone 6s and an iPad Mini affixed to a specially modified tripod, which allows Travis to operate the technology by himself.

The design allows Travis to travel with the technology and live stream the show virtually anytime and anyplace. Plans call for Travis to take “Outkick the Show” on the road to several major sporting events in the coming year.

Travis said that rather than doing a live radio show, the quadcast and live stream scheme gives him much greater freedom.

“At one point, you needed a physical radio station with a large antenna to speak to the masses,“ he said. ”Now you don’t. All I need to reach the masses is a Wi-Fi signal. Basically I want to make consuming ‘Outkick the Show’ as fun and easy as possible. And I think this is the answer. If you have a Wi-Fi connection or a phone, you'll have access to ‘Outkick the Show.’”

The concept was a result of a brainstorm between Travis and Fox Sports Digital executives, who wanted to capitalize on the growing influence of live streaming apps like Periscope, as well as the ubiquity of social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube to distribute and promote the show.

Fox Sports has been experimenting with social media and streaming apps, most recently using Periscope to stream the NFL Draft in April. (See “Fox Sports to Use Periscope for NFL Draft Coverage.”)

“Outkick the Show” will also be available to all users of Fox Sports Go and will not require a pay-TV subscription.

Travis, a former lawyer, started “Outkick the Coverage” in 2011 as an SEC-centric news and opinion blog. He manages the content and also makes regular appearances on Fox Sports’ college football studio programming and FS1’s signature program Fox Sports Live.

The podcast of the show reached No. 1 on iTunes in Sports & Recreation a day after it launched in 2013, Fox Sports said.