Well it’s about time. Panasonic’s latest VIERA Cast HDTVs and Blu-ray finally have the ability to do the Netflix streaming thing. I mean, it’s awesome that the ability is now available on most of the 2010 models, but it’s rather surprising that it took so long to hit the VIERA Cast line. These HDTVs have been on the forefront of the streaming game since the beginning and it seems like Netflix is on just about every CE device these days. But no matter, Netflix is finally available on these sets and ready to stream Firefly to your swanky new Panny HDTV. → Read More
Panasonic has apparently enjoyed quite a bit of success with its previous, rather unusual promotion campaigns for its EVOLTA batteries. In 2008, we blogged an EVOLTA-powered mini robot that climbed up a 500 meter high cliff at Grand Canyon. Then, in 2009, we’ve shown you how such a robot ran 24km on the famous Le Mans 24 Hours circuit in France (on 2 AA batteries). → Read More
For quite a few people, Augmented Reality (AR) is just a fad that will be over rather sooner than later. Things are a little different in Japan where Panasonic is currently in the news for a unique promotion campaign that’s based on that technology (for 3D VIERA TVs). → Read More
Big Avatar fan? Bought a 3D-capable TV just so you could watch it again in all its glory? Well, you might want to sit down. Panasonic and 20th Century Fox have arrived at a deal whereby the upcoming 3D Blu-ray version of the film will only be sold to people buying new Panasonic displays. → Read More
Panasonic announced [JP] two new models from their TOUGHBOOK series of extra-sturdy and durable notebooks today. And both the CF31 from the TOUGHBOOK 31 series and the CF19 from the TOUGHBOOK 19 series boast some pretty impressive specs. → Read More
Perhaps Panasonic should change its name to 3D3D3D3D. The company that has “invested in innovation” (are you kidding me?) will debut a 3D camcorder, the HDC-SDT750, in Europe this October. It will also release a 3D converter lens (by the end of the year), for Panasonic’s plain ol’ Lumix camcorder. Of course, you’d need a 3D TV to then view the recorded 3D footage. Which means you’d need to wear 3D glasses every time you wanted to watch your home movies. Hmm. → Read More
Having those BDXL Blu-rays with 100GB capacity is nice, but they’re useless with all Blu-ray recorders that are currently on the market (with one exception in case of the Japanese market). That’s why Panasonic Japan yesterday announced [JP] a total of six new DVRs that come with HDDs and Blu-ray recorders on board that actually support the new format (and three of the devices are 3D enabled). → Read More
You can’t escape Twitter anymore. It’s everywhere including in some of Panasonic’s Viera Cast Plasma TVs and eventually, in a few Panasonic Blu-ray players as well. It’s just the latest app available in the already-loaded Viera Cast IPTV offering. Twitter joins Netflix, Pandora, Fox Sports, Amazon Video-on-Demand, YouTube, Icasa, Bloomberg, and Skype’s Video calling service. Sure it’s no iOS or Google TV, but these Panasonic TVs were doing the app dance three years ago and continue to gain new features. Is 3D the future of HDTVs? Nope, it’s apps. Click through for the release and list of compatible models. → Read More
This exceedingly good-looking underwater housing for the Panasonic Lumix GF-1 is… well, I’ve just told you. It’s coated aluminum and offers a few options for the front element — whatever best fits the lens you’ve got on. I love the button layout in the back, too. It looks like they’ve spared no expense, except in the English translation of the website, so I doubt this will be very affordable when it comes out. There’s even an optional moisture detector that will light up and buzz if there’s a leak. Shouldn’t that be standard?! [via NotCot] → Read More
We’ve been looking forward to Panasonic’s consumer 3D camcorder since we first saw their pro one at CES. When it was revealed last week, I have to say I was a bit disappointed. It’s not a new camcorder at all, just a conversion lens that severely limits exposure and manual controls. The 60FPS split-resolution recording methods threw me as well. But I haven’t handled it, so my opinion is worthless at the moment. But Camcorder Info just gave it a once-over, and they share many of my apprehensions. → Read More
Amazon is ready to take your money for the world’s first consumer 3D camcorder just in case you and the misses are planning on producing your own, ummm, bedroom movies. If you don’t care about having it right out of the gate, you might want to hold on to your cash a while longer though because it isn’t scheduled to ship until October 15. Or you could save your money altogether because 3D is dumb. Just saying. [Amazon via 3D-Display-info] → Read More
Panasonic announced today that it will buy out two of its subsidiaries, Sanyo and Panasonic Electric Works, for $9.4 billion.
Sanyo is the largest lithium-ion rechargeable battery producer and 11th-largest solar cell producer in the world with a quickly-growing solar panel manufacturing arm according to company statements. → Read More
Panasonic caused a splash in the blogosphere yesterday when it announced the world’s first consumer 3D camera, the HDC-SDT750, for the American market (release in October). The device was announced [JP] today in Japan as well, but Panasonic made some changes. And it showed another model, too, the HDC-TM650 (pictured), which hasn’t been announced for other markets thus far. → Read More
I recently reviewed the Toshiba Camileo H30, a functional camcorder with a traditional body style, and concluded that these would continue to sell for a few more years just on the strength of being familiar objects. The Flip-style camcorder is gaining popularity (as well as embedded imagers in phones and such), and the flip-out LCD home camcorder’s days are numbered. Panasonic is hedging their bets, announcing models of both types. Let’s see what they’ve got. → Read More
We’ve shown you countless electric bikes over the past months, but there’s one feature that makes the RX-10S [JP, PDF], Panasonic’s newest model, stand out: it boasts an assisted travel range of a a whopping 97km (60 miles) in “eco-mode” – on a single charge. → Read More
Don’t go wilding in the streets of Detroit or anything, but Panasonic just released five new cameras including the much-anticipated LX5, a low-light point and shoot with Leica glass. They also released the TS10, a ruggedized point and shoot, and the FZ40, a 24x ultrazoom camera with HD video recording. The cameras should be available in August-September. Press releases and images after the jump. → Read More
Panasonic not only announced two awesome 3D plasma TVs today, the company also introduced [JP] a new concept for 3D glasses. The three models are supposed to be the perfect fit for for every member in your family: size S is suitable for kids, M is for women and L is best for men (according to Panasonic). → Read More
Total spec overkill from Panasonic today: the company just announced [JP] the world’s first all-in-one TVs that feature 3D capability and come with built-in HDDs and Blu-ray recorders. The devices are following four 3D plasmas Panasonic Japan has shown in recent months. → Read More
The “compact enthusiast” category of camera, which I have just now made up, includes such devices as the Canon G11, Sigma DP2, and some of the more consumer-oriented M4/3 cameras. It’s for the photographer who wants more control, slightly better glass, and doesn’t care about the creature comforts of touchscreens and in-camera sepia tones.
Panasonic’s entry in this class (among others) was the competent LX3, now being supplanted by the slightly (but not trivially) improved LX5. With a fast lens and high ISO range, this could be the carry-around compact you’ve been looking for. → Read More
Fax isn’t dead, at least not in Japan. In January last year, Panasonic introduced the “world’s first” paperless fax machine for the Japanese market. And today, the same company announced [JP] the KX-PW821, which is (according to Panasonic) the “world’s first” stylus-compatible fax/phone combo. In other words, it allows users to directly write messages on the 4.9-inch touchscreen and fax them with a push of a button. → Read More
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