CEO Michael Lynton’s e-mails hacked.
By Dileep Thekkethil
BENGALURU: The recent North Korean hack attack on Sony is taking a heavy toll as images of it’s yet to release smartphone, Sony Xperia Z4, got leaked through the emails of Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton.
According to Gizmodo that first published the images of the device, the Sony Xperia Z4 has a very close relation to the upcoming James Bond movie Spectre as the images were part of a series of emails sent regarding the new 007 movie, which is waiting for release in next year’s calendar.
According to them, the new smartphone seems to be part of a “wider product placement pitch” for the upcoming Bond movie. The email has also provided a title to the new phone, “The Elemental”, which is not usual for Sony devices.
The device is called fourth generation of Sony Xperia Z but looking at the Z series smartphones released till now Z4 should be the fifth in the series of smartphones released with names Z, Z1,Z2, Z3.
Inside the leaked email, the Vice President of Sony, George Leon had mentioned that “Sony Mobile has now provided us with the needed visuals of the new Z4 phones.
“These phones are the planned phones for May/November of 2015. I’m attaching the visual for you to see.”
Xperia Z4 is expected to be an upgrade of Xperia Z3 which means it is likely to have a 5.5-inch QHD display, and could be powered by a 64-bit Snapdragon processor coupled with 4GB of RAM.
Also, being a Sony device it is likely to feature a 20.7-megapixel rear camera, 5-megapixel front-facing camera.
With the new inputs from the leak, we can expect the launch of Xperia Z4 before November next year and like its predecessor might come along with a compact version. Most probably the release of the device will have some relation with the release of the Bond movie, which is expected to hit theaters on November 6th, 2015.
The leaked image gives the clear view of the front and rear side of the upcoming Xperia Z4 with salient features of Sony smartphones still intact. The power button is on the right side of the handset along with the volume rockers and the camera button.
Adding to this embarrassment come the leaked images of Sony’s upcoming model of smart bands which is a look-alike of Nike Fuelband. In all ways, it looks like Sony is not having a good final quarter this year.
Read the complete email of Sony CEO addressing “SAM/DANIEL”, most probably referring directors Sam Mendes and Daniel Craig, and “Barbara” presumably the producer of Bond series Barbara Broccoli.
Sony Electronics is now combing the production request list and will shortly tell us what they can provide. Sony MOBILE has now provided us with the needed visuals of the new Z4 Phones. These phones are the planned phones for MAY/NOVEMBER of 2015. I’m attaching the visual for you to see.
Barbara has it and will be meeting with SAM/DANIEL shortly to discuss and to come back with their design for the phone. Mobile is fine and is waiting to hear from us.
Barbara wants to get a PLACEMENT FEE for putting the phone in. She understands that Sony is willing to commit to a marketing/advertising campaign of 18MM, but she wants an additional placement fee. In the past, Sony Electronics/Mobile has not paid a fee…but has paid the following:
- $18MM Above-the-Line Advertising commitment
- $ 5MM Production Budget/Cost including TV, Print, Digital, etc.
- $ 5MM Daniel Craig FEE
- $ 1MM License Fee to EON for a limited edition Bone phone (which by the way…
Sony Mobile never recouped, but paid)
Today…Sony Electronics has so far budgeted the following:
- $18MM ATL Advertising commitment
- $ 5MM Daniel Craig FEE
- $ 5MM Production Budget
What if we take the Daniel Craig fee and convince Sony just to pay Barbara directly 4MM for a placement fee. NO Daniel this time. We walk from him. The remaining 1MM (or LESS!) of this budget can be used to hire “Q” instead? Her fee would have to include the right for Sony to use the 007 marks including the barrel, but no Daniel.