ATOS Shifts Attention from Rio to PyeongChang -- Sponsor Spotlight

(ATR) With the Paralympics coming to an end TOP sponsors shift their attention from Rio and on to PyeongChang for the next Olympic Games in 2018.

According to TOP sponsor ATOS, Rio 2016 had more digital coverage than any another other Olympic Games.

"Technology had a crucial role in the successful Rio 2016 Games, and with the use of digital technologies including cloud and data analytics, Rio 2016 represents a major breakthrough in how we will deliver moving forward," said CEO for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Patrick Adiba.

During the Rio Games ATOS controlled IT systems that shared real-time results of the Games with fans and media.

ATOS also supported the recruitment of the 70,000 volunteers that made sure the Games ran smoothly.

The digital service company already has 28 members working in South Korea for the next Games in PyeongChang.

The 2018 Games will be the first time that all IT systems will be delivered through the Cloud changing the IT model for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"By supporting the IOC and the IPC in their digital transformation, we are helping to improve the experience of all involved while reducing costs and strengthening operational performance – just as we are doing for our clients worldwide" Adiba adds.

ATOS has provided IT solutions to the Olympic Games since 1992 and to the IPC since 2002.

The PyeongChang Winter Games begin on Feb. 9, 2018 and conclude on Feb. 25. 2018

Samsung Recalls Galaxy Note 7: UPDATE

More than 50 percent of the Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones under recall have already been exchanged in the United States one day after the replacement phones were made available.

Samsung also says that more than 90 percent of Galaxy Note7 users have opted into the exchange program.

TOP Olympic sponsor Samsung recently recalled its new smartphone after dozens of reports of the devices exploding or catching fire while charging.

In the U.S., all defective devices sold before Sep.15 can be replaced with a new phone through theNote7 Exchange Program. The replacement phones were made available on Sep. 21.

Click here to check your eligibility for a new Galaxy Note 7.

There have been no issues with the Galaxy s7 Edge, the smartphone Samsung designed to coincide with the Olympics.

All Olympic athletes, IOC Members and sports leaders were distributed a special edition of the Galaxy s7 along with the newly designed Icon Gear X and fully integrated wireless Bluetooth headset designed to track athletic activity during the Rio 2016 Games.

Panasonic Displays New 4K Video, 6K Photo Camera

Olympic TOP sponsor Panasonic is set to release a new digital camera in 2017 that can shoot in 4K video resolution while also delivering 6K still images.

The Lumix GH5 is the "world’s first" digital single lens, mirrorless camera that can record precise 4K video. The GH5 is an upgrade from Panasonic’s GH4 released in 2014 that allowed for lower resolution 4K video and introduced 4K photo resolution.

As the official Olympic provider of Audio-Video services, Panasonic seeks to stay at the forefront of AV technology.

"With this unprecedented video recording performance, Panasonic aims to further capitalize on the strength that it has achieved in the film production industry," the company said in a statement.

The Lumix GH5 is being displayed at Photokina 2016 in Koelnmesse, Germany from Sep. 20-25.

Tencent Extends Global Basketball Reach

Until 2025, Tencent will act as the official global partner of the International Basketball Federation.

Tencent will be recognized at all FIBA major national team competitions including FIBA Basketball World Cups, Continental Cups, Olympic Qualifying tournaments, U19 and U17 World Championships and Basketball World Cup Qualifiers.

Per the agreement, starting next year the global digital company will have the opportunity to set up activations for its brands such as Tencent’s social network qq.com, the instant messaging service WeChat, and more during these tournaments.

"We are very glad to establish the strategic partnership with FIBA, the world governing body for basketball. Tencent and FIBA will work together closely in a variety of capacities in the coming nine years, particularly for the 2019 and 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cups" Senior Executive Vice President of Tencent SY Lau said in a statement.

Written by Courtney Colquitt and Kevin Nutley

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