November 30th, 2010

Panasonic's Jungle Game System Begins US Testing

At the beginning of October, we pulled the curtain back on a certain Jungle device from Panasonic, but there’s been little chatter since its dramatic debut. But in an email recently sent to some users, Panasonic appears to be fishing for testers for the device. Could we be approaching a public hands-on? → Read More

November 22nd, 2010

Panasonic's EVOLTA Mini Robot Finishes 500KM Journey From Tokyo To Kyoto

Back in September, Panasonic announced an unusual publicity stunt: let a cute mini robot walk from Tokyo to Kyoto – powered solely by the company’s rechargeable EVOLTA batteries. The 1kg robot started the journey on September 23 in Tokyo, and today, Panasonic proudly announced the robot has arrived safely in Kyoto. → Read More

November 18th, 2010

Video: Panasonic's LUMIX GF2 Gets Priced And Dated (In Japan)

Panasonic’s LUMIX DMC-GF2, a micro-four thirds camera, which big P started teasing earlier this month now has a concrete release date and price for the Japanese market. The successor to their GF1 (which was released last spring) will hit stores over here on December 3 [JP] – one month before the US and Europe. → Read More

November 17th, 2010

Panasonic To Start Selling 103-Inch 3D Display For $100,000

Are you a fan of big displays, and maybe 3D? And do you happen to have $100,000 to spare? Then the TH-P103MT2 might be something for you, a 103-inch plasma screen Panasonic announced [JP] today for the Japanese market (yes, for that price). It’s based on a 103-inch TV showed back in 2008 (the TH-103PZ800), but this new model comes with 3D on board. → Read More

November 11th, 2010

Panasonic's New Electric Bike Has Big Battery, Boasts 66km Travel Range

We’ve covered quite a few electric bikes over the years, but Panasonic’s new model, the oddly named EX BE-ENE [JP, PDF] has one feature that makes it stand out: at 12Ah, it boasts the battery with biggest capacity for an e-bike out there, according to the company. Panasonic says its version tops conventional e-bike batteries by around 20% in this area. → Read More

November 4th, 2010

Panasonic Announces DMC-GF2 Camera For January Launch

In line with rumors that circulated yesterday, Panasonic has announced the DMC-GF2, a micro-four thirds camera that is a successor to their GF1 released last Spring. The new camera has a 12-megapixel sensor with ISO ranges from 100 to 6400. The camera should costs about $700 when it launches in January. → Read More

November 3rd, 2010

Panasonic Invests $30 Million In Tesla, For 2% Stake

Consumer electronics maker Panasonic is cozying up to Tesla with a $30 million investment, in exchange for a 2% stake.

Although Panasonic and Tesla have worked together in the past, under the new partnership, the duo will closely collaborate on the development and marketing of new Tesla battery packs that feature Panasonic lithium-ion cells.

“Panasonic offers the highest energy-density cells and industry-leading performance with cutting edge Nickel-type cathode technology.” Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in a statement late Wednesday, “We believe our partnership with them will enable us to further improve our battery pack while reducing cost.” → Read More

November 3rd, 2010

Panasonic GF2 Spotted On Banner; Announcement Expected Tomorrow

Panasonic’s successor to the successful micro four-thirds GF1 is due to be announced tomorrow at the Salon de la Photo show in Paris, if the banners hanging around the venue are any indication. The new camera looks to be smaller and thinner than its predecessor, but not much is actually known. → Read More

November 3rd, 2010

Panasonic Announces More Affordable BDXL Blu-ray Recorder


In case you always wanted to get one of those Blu-ray recorders that allow you to store up to 100GB of content on a single BDXL disc but were put off by the high prices for these devices so far, Panasonic might have announced [JP] the right device for you today. Apart from the BDXL compatibility, the DMR-BR585 also offers a built-in 320GB HDD. → Read More

October 26th, 2010

Power Loader Light: Panasonic Starts Selling Mecha Robot Suits

In January this year, I blogged about Power Loader, a power-amplifying robotic suit that enables humans to carry loads of up to 100kg. Developed by Tokyo-based robot venture Activelink, a venture spun off from Panasonic, the mecha is awesome but will not be quite ready for 2015 (as a practical version). → Read More

October 20th, 2010

Panasonic Announces World's Smallest Blu-ray Recorder/HDD DVR

Panasonic today announced [JP] the DIGA DMR-BF200, which, according to Panasonic, is the smallest DVR integrating both a Blu-ray recorder and an HDD out there. The device is sized at 65×210×194mm, weighs 2.2kg, and can be placed vertically or horizontally. → Read More

October 6th, 2010

Panasonic HDC-SDT750 3D Camcorder Now Shipping

Good news for Panasonic shooters looking for 3D. The new HDC-SDT750 has started shipping for $1399. The better news is that if you already have an HDC-HS700, you can get just the 3D attachment without buying the whole camera. → Read More

October 5th, 2010

CEATEC 2010: Panasonic's New Lumix Cell Phone Up And Close

Panasonic was all mysterious when it announced a “Lumix Phone” last week, teasing it with a special website (now updated, but still in Japanese) that contained neither pictures nor solid information about their newest cell phone. But the company today unveiled the handset at CEATEC 2010, Asia’s biggest technology and electronics exhibition, which takes place yearly in Chiba (one hour away from Tokyo). → Read More

October 1st, 2010

Panasonic Makes Mysterious "Lumix Phone" Pre-Announcement

There will be a large IT and electronics exhibition in Japan happening next week (CEATEC), and Panasonic Japan just announced [JP] it will use the show to announce a new cell phone. The company has set up a dedicated site [JP] for the new device but is being pretty mysterious about it (no pictures). → Read More

September 30th, 2010

Videos: Panasonic's Hair-Washing Robot In Action

Last week, we asked you if you would trust Panasonic’s new 16-fingered robot that you can see above and that’s supposedly able to wash the hair of a human being. If you were undecided about this question back then, we can help you now with two videos that appeared online just today. → Read More

September 28th, 2010

Let'snote J9: Panasonic's 10.1-Inch Notebook Has An 128GB SSD On Board

Following Sony, Panasonic also showed [JP] some new computer hardware today, namely the so-called Let’snote J9. It’s essentially a mini notebook with a 10.1-inch screen that runs on Windows 7 Home Premium and has a modular 128GB SSD on board. Another selling point is the Core i5-460M (2.53GHz) CPU that powers the device. → Read More

September 23rd, 2010

Panasonic Releases Updated Toughbook, the U1

Our buddy Kip at Panasonic is showing off the newest Toughbook U1, a mini device designed for portability and durability. These things are starting at $2,799 so you’re not going to run out and pick one up but if you have inventory management in harsh environments or are dealing with any sort of highly dangerous office environment involving snakes, falling rocks, and bombs, this may be for you. Press release after the jump. → Read More

September 22nd, 2010

Video: Panasonic's Mini Robot To Travel 500KM On Batteries

When we showed you Panasonic’s new mini robot two weeks ago, we only had one good picture of him and no video. But today, the company held a special press conference in Tokyo where it showcased the little guy for the first time. To recap, the robot is supposed to start a 500km journey from Tokyo to Kyoto tomorrow – powered by Panasonic’s EVOLTA batteries. → Read More

September 21st, 2010

Panasonic Lumix GH2: $899 Micro 4/3s With Class

Panasonic has announced the Lumix GH2, a $899 M4/3 camera that looks to be the flagship of the breed. Designed to work with the new 3D lens they also just announced, it features a 14MP resolution and… the LUMIX GH2 can now record full HD 1920 x 1080 videos in smooth 60i, doubling the sensor output from 25p/24p to 50p/60p. The camera also supports 1080/24p native mode at 24 Mbps, the highest in AVCHD format, for richly expressive video. → Read More

September 13th, 2010

AG-AF100: Panasonic’s Micro Four-Thirds Pro Camcorder Gets Priced And Dated (In Japan)

Back in April, Panasonic caused quite a big splash by teasing the AG-AF100, an interchangeable-lens camcorder for “professional users”. The Micro Four-Thirds device is the first of its kind, offering 1080/60i or 1080/30p AVCHD video recording and the ability to use a bunch of different lenses, adapters and filters with it (Micro Four-Thirds lens mount). → Read More

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