January 8, 2009 – Panasonic just announced the U.S. debut of its world's first 3D Full HD Plasma Home Theater System (3D FHD) this week at the International Consumer Electronics Show 2009. The system made its world debut at CEATEC JAPAN 2008 in October 2008 to very strong reviews.

Panasonic’s 3D Full HD Plasma Home Theater System enables the viewing of true-to-life 3D FHD images by using a Panasonic 103-inch Plasma HDTV and a Panasonic Blu-ray Disc (BD) player, capable of distributing full High Definition (1920 x 1080 pixels) images to the left eye and right eye.

“This goes well beyond conventional 3D and Panasonic is fully committed to making it a reality, and soon,” said Bob Perry, Executive Vice President, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “Plasma is currently the only TV capable of delivering a 3D Full HD experience due in great part to its ability to refresh at a speed which enables multiple image display without loss of resolution. The integration of Hollywood’s 3D content with Panasonic’s industry leading Plasma, Blu-ray and 3D FHD technologies deliver a truly immersive experience which will elevate home entertainment to a whole new level of excitement. You will no longer just be watching a movie, you’ll be experiencing the realism of Hollywood film.” Read more

January 8, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Panasonic just introduced its expanded line of VIERA HDTVs at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show. Building upon its award winning portfolio of high definition televisions, Panasonic will broaden its offering in 2009 by introducing new screen sizes in both Plasma and LCD lines with a new 54-inch class plasma and 19-inch class LCD. In addition, VIERA will extend its unique technology features, such as the acclaimed VIERA CAST web menu, to additional model lines.

VIERA CAST, originally launched in 2008, will broaden its entertainment offering with the addition of Amazon's VOD streaming video service. Panasonic also extended the prestigious THX Certified Display to three product lines. With a continuing emphasis on improving the television's performance and reducing the impact on the planet's carbon footprint, Panasonic's 2009 line of VIERA HDTVs have improved their energy efficiency vs. last year's models, while also improving the overall picture performance of the HDTVs.

Year after year, Panasonic has been dedicated to bringing new picture improving technologies to HDTVs and 2009's line-up continues that trend. With the digital transition on the horizon and an increased awareness among consumers of high definition, consumers now demand blacker blacks, faster response times and the billions of colors that Panasonic VIERA HDTVs deliver. Read more

Nowadays, Wi-Fi is appearing in a multitude of consumer electronics, from cameras to automobiles...and more! You probably already use Wi-Fi for convenient wireless Internet access at home and at work, but you might be surprised by other new gadgets that take advantage of Wi-Fi. Let's take a peek at some of the Wi-Fi- enabled goodies that you might want to add to your holiday wish list.

Eye-Fi Explore

Photography enthusiasts will love the Eye-Fi Explore ($129), an unusually versatile SD card that slips into your digital camera. Like any other SD card, the Eye-Fi stores photos -- but it also tags every shot with the geographic location (GPS coordinates) of where it was snapped. When you're ready to upload, the Eye-Fi taps Wi-Fi to send photos right to your computer or to an on-line webshare site, accessed from just about anywhere using the included Wi-Fi hotspot account. No need to pack upload cables or extra memory cards on your next vacation! Read more

October 2008 – Earlier this year at the 2008 CEDIA Show in Denver, CO, the Panasonic Professional Display Company (PPDC), unveiled its new Premiere Series line of high-end home theater plasmas. The Premiere Series launch kicks off with the introduction of the first model, the TH-65VX100U, a 65-inch full high-definition plasma display targeting the high-end custom home theater enthusiast. This model is scheduled for a January 2009 release.

The TH-65VX100U is a full 1080p (1,920 x 1,080 pixel) plasma, employing Panasonic’s new “Premiere Panel,” which produces a stunning 60,000:1 contrast ratio with an industry-leading gradation level of 7,160 steps – a combination that results in a picture unmatched by any other plasma display currently on the market. Read more

October 16, 2008/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Panasonic and Comcast just announced the arrival of the first tru2way VIERA HDTVs at Abt Electronics in Glenview, IL and officially declared the tru2way platform active in Chicago and Denver.

Tru2way technology is being used to create a common software platform that will enable cable companies, consumer electronics companies, content developers, network programmers and others to extend interactivity to the TV set and other kinds of devices. The new Panasonic VIERA HDTVs are built with tru2way technology inside, enabling consumers to access two-way digital cable programming, like video on demand, without a cable operator-supplied set-top box. Panasonic and Comcast have worked together to lead the development and deployment of tru2way technology and related products which are based upon specifications developed by CableLabs, the industry's research and development arm. Read more

September 25, 2008--Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, manufacturer of durable, reliable Panasonic Toughbook mobile computers, today announced major updates to its business-rugged notebook computer line with the introduction of the thin-and-light F8 and upgrades to the tablet alternative T8 and the ultraportable W8 for road warriors, walking workers and mobile executives. 8 Series Toughbook mobile computers will also include the Gobi 3G mobile broadband (WWAN) solution from Qualcomm Inc. that allows connection to high-speed mobile Internet services offered by leading network operators virtually anywhere in the world.

These innovative business computing solutions are based on Panasonic’s more than fifteen years of engineering and manufacturing robust notebook computers that deliver the durability, reliability and connectivity essential to keeping government and business professionals working wherever and whenever they need to. Read more

September 12, 2008 - Panasonic today announced the world's first Micro Four Thirds system camera, the LUMIX DMC-G1, the world's smallest and lightest digital interchangeable lens camera, weighing in at approximately 385 grams (0.85 lbs).* Based on the new Micro Four Thirds System standard, the LUMIX G1 eliminates the internal mirror structure that defines digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras, thus reducing the size and weight by nearly half.** With the mirror-less system, the G1's flange back, which is the distance between the mount and the image sensor, has been reduced from 40 mm -- as specified in the Four Thirds System -- to approximately 20 mm.

The new Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G1 will enhance the advanced photo quality and flexibility made possible by the Four Thirds System, and with its innovative design, consumers will appreciate the portability of a smaller camera body and lenses. The G1 will be available in mid-November as a kit with the new LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S lens. Also available in November, and announced today, is the LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm/F4.0-5.6/MEGA O.I.S.lens. Read more

September 10, 2008 -- Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, manufacturer of durable, reliable Panasonic Toughbook computers, today announced it will offer Qualcomm’s new Gobi global mobile Internet solution in its entire line of rugged laptops. Toughbook mobile computers featuring the multi-mode Gobi solution can take advantage of high-speed mobile Internet services offered by leading network operators in virtually all parts of the world.

In addition, two of Panasonic’s Gobi-enabled, fully rugged laptops, the convertible tablet Toughbook 19 and flagship Toughbook 30 notebook, have received certification from Verizon Wireless for use on its CDMA2000 EV-DO network. With Gobi-enabled Toughbook portable computers, mobile workers benefit from the worldwide high-speed data capabilities of multiple cellular broadband networks, while IT managers can streamline their operations by leveraging a single hardware and software solution for all of their nationwide and global branch office locations. Read more