Panasonic

Don't Look Now, But Google Just Goofed

Last week, rumors began emerging of a planned wireless entertainment device from Google. That may sound cool, but before Google jumps headfirst into the brutally competitive and low-margin consumer electronics business, it should recall how similar moves nearly crushed Cisco.

Why to Be Glad America Isn't Making TVs Anymore

It's hard to complain too much about how Japan "stole" the high-tech electronics business from the U.S. More accurately, they took a low-margin business off our hands. And you know what we should be saying to that? Good riddance!

2012: The Year Web- Connected TVs Take Over

No segment of the electronics industry better highlights the challenges of these times than the television business. With sales of standard TVs flagging, the industry is pinning its hopes to new models TVs equipped to handle Internet streaming, WiFi and more.

Nikkei Continues to Rise on Positive Earnings and Hope for the U.S.

Positive earnings outlooks among some of Japan's major companies continued to boost investor sentiment. Japan's Nikkei 225 Index added 0.4% to close at 10,636. Hong Kong's Hang Seng slid 0.3% to end the day at 23,484. Markets in China remained closed for Chinese New Year.

Panasonic to Re-enter Portable Gaming with New Device

Panasonic is gearing up to challenge Nintendo and Sony with a new handheld video-game player code-named "Jungle," Bloomberg News reported Tuesday. After leaving the portable-gaming market a decade ago, can this new device make Panasonic a major player?

Panasonic Recharges Tesla Motors with $30 Million

Panasonic is recharging electric-car company Tesla Motors with $30 million. The electronics manufacturer, which provides batteries for Tesla's cars, will now own 2% of its customer. The deal also puts Tesla back in the battery business.

Toshiba to Offer New 3D TV (No Funny Glasses Required)

Toshiba plans to introduce a 3D TV that doesn't require viewers to wear funky 3D glasses. The new product, part of Toshiba's effort to gain a competitive edge in the rapidly emerging marketplace for 3D TVs, seeks to make 3D TV easier to use. But glasses-free 3D won't come on the cheap.

3-D TV Sales Are Set for Eye-Popping Growth

About 4 million 3-D-capable TV sets will ship in 2010, one out of every 20 flat-screen TVs sold. That's projected to more than double next year and grow tenfold in four years. But hurdles like lack of 3-D programming and bandwith constraints could limit such rapid growth.

Panasonic Unveils 3D Camcorder

Panasonic debuted a 3D consumer camcorder Tuesday, tying its latest device to its growing product line of 3D electronics.The move couldn't come soon enough, as the marketplace for 3D electronics is rapidly growing.

A Wait-and-See Approach to 3-D TV in Japan

A recent survey found 67.4% of Japanese consumers say they'd take a pass on purchasing a 3-D TV. They cited several reasons, but wearing special 3-D glasses tops the list. Other concerns: price and lack of 3-D programming.

Samsung Issues a Health Warning for 3-D TV

It's acknowledging the risk for epileptic seizure or stroke to pregnant women, the elderly, the sleep deprived and the intoxicated. Children and teens are particularly susceptible, which the video-game industry has known for a while.

How Consumers Will Take Back the Net in 2010

Thanks to the power of the Internet, it's getting harder for companies to control how we communicate and entertain ourselves. Google's new phone runs an app that enables users to make international calls far cheaper than with any wireless carrier. That's just one sign of growing consumer influence through the Net.