Panasonic Launches Eluga I3 Mega Smartphone

Panasonic, the Japanese consumer electronics giant, has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of Eluga I3 Mega Smartphone. The Smartphone is priced at Rs 11,490 and is available at all leading retail stores across the country.

Panasonic Eluga I3 Mega features a 5.5-inch HD display of 720x1280 pixel resolution. The Smartphone flaunts an all-metal body and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system out-of-the-box. It is powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core processor, coupled with 3GB of RAM. The dual-SIM device offers 16GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD cards.

For imaging duties, the Eluga I3 Mega has a 13MP rear camera with LED Flash and a 5MP selfie-snapper.

The Smartphone is backed by a 4,000mAh battery and offers 4G VoLTE, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and USB OTG for the purpose of connectivity.

Panasonic Launches P75

Panasonic has launched its latest budget Smartphone P75. The company has priced the handset at Rs 5,900 and it comes in Champagne Gold and Sand Black color options.

The Panasonic P75 has a 5-inch HD display with 720x1280 pixels resolution. The handset runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system and is powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core processor. The Smartphone offers 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage which can be expanded up to 32GB using a microSD card. The device sports an 8MP rear camera with LED flash and a 5MP selfie camera.

The handset packs a massive 5,000 mAh battery and offers 4G, LTE, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS connectivity options. The company is offering a free screen guard worth Rs 300 with the Smartphone.

Panasonic launches Shinobi Pro LED TVs

Panasonic has launched its 'Shinobi Pro' range of LED TVs starting at a price of Rs 28,900. The company has partnered exclusively with Flipkart to sell five different models in this range online till May 12.

The new TV models feature technologies like IPS Super Bright Panel Plus and Vivid Digital PRO. Available in three screen sizes—32-inch, 43-inch and 49-inch, each model comes with built-in speakers in a silver frame.

Consumers can avail 10% cashback on all prepaid cards and exchange offers on purchase of any TV from the Panasonic Shinobi Pro series.

Panasonic has recently introduced its Eluga I3 Smartphone with 4G VoLTE support at a price of Rs 9,290. The Smartphone supports Indian 4G bands-- 3, 5 and 40 and offers Dual SIM support. However, only the primary slot supports 4G connectivity.

It runs Android Lollipop operating system sugar-coated with its customized FitHome interface. It is powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core processor with 2GB RAM and 16GB of internal storage with support for up to 32GB microSD cards.

Panasonic launched T50 Smartphone

Panasonic has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of T50 Smartphone based on the company's exclusive SAIL interface. The handset comes with a price tag of Rs 4,900 and it will be available in Midnight Blue, Rose Gold, Champagne Gold color options.

The Panasonic T50 features a 4.5-inch FWVGA display with 480x854 pixels resolution. The handset comes with dual sim functionality and runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system topped with the SAIL UI of the company.

Powering the device is a 1.3GHz quad-core processor paired with 1GB of RAM. The internal storage of the handset stands at 8GB which can be expanded further up to 32GB using a microSD card. The handset comes equipped with a 5MP rear camera with LED flash and a 2MP front facing snapper for selfies.

For the connectivity purpose, the handset includes, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and houses a 1,600 mAh battery.

Panasonic launches Eluga Turbo Smartphone

Panasonic has expanded its Smartphone product portfolio with the launch of Eluga Turbo. This new 4G Smartphone from Panasonic is priced at Rs 10,999 and it will be exclusively available on Snapdeal via flash sale model in Blue color option.

Panasonic Eluga Turbo features a 5-inch HD display with 1280x710 pixels resolution protected with a coating of Asahi Dragontrail glass on top. The device comes with dual SIM functionality and runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system.

Powering the handset is a 1.5GHz octa-core processor paired with 3GB of RAM. Its onboard storage stands at 32GB, which can be expanded further using a microSD card. It also comes equipped with a 13MP rear camera with LED flash and a 5MP front camera for clicking selfies.

For the connectivity purpose, the Smartphone offers 4G, LTE, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and houses a 2,350 mAh battery.

Panasonic launches Eluga Switch

Panasonic has launched a mid-range Smartphone - Eluga Switch. The device is priced at Rs 19,990. The Smartphone will be available exclusively on Amazon India.

Panasonic Eluga Switch runs on Android Lollipop 5.0 and features a 5.5-inch full-HD (1080x1920p) display. Powered by 1.5GHz octa core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor, the phone comes with 2GB RAM and offers 32GB of internal storage.

Panasonic Eluga Switch sports a 13MP primary camera with LED flash and an 8MP secondary camera and packs a 2910mAh battery. For connectivity, the Smartphone offers 3G, 4G LTE, GPRS/EDGE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 and a micro-USB slot.

The phone is available only in Gun Metal Grey colour.

Panasonic launches Eluga Icon

In order to expand its Eluga series, Panasonic has launched a new 4G-enabled Smartphone, Eluga Icon. The device is priced at Rs 10,999. The phone will be exclusively available on Amazon India.

The Eluga Icon has a thickness of 7.9mm and weighs 147grams. The phone will be available in gold and slate colors.

The phone sports a 5.5-inch (720X1280p) IPS HD display. It is powered by a 1.5GHz MediaTek octa-core processor and 2GB RAM. It comes with 16GB internal storage and supports microSD card slots of up to 32GB for expansion.

The phone has an 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front-facing camera for selfies. Eluga Icon runs Android 4.4 KitKat with Panasonic's Icon user interface that offers features like iSense - hand hover gesture based features, Smart Awake - Double Tap to wake-up screen, Air Swipe Unlock, Mediatek Hot-Knot, Blink Play (that activates the camera shutter of the front camera when the user blinks) and Picture-in-Picture Shot

The Eluga Icon supports 2G, 3G, 4G LTE connectivity on all Indian networks, Wi-fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS. The phone has a 3500mAh battery.

Panasonic launces Eluga S Mini selfie phone

Panasonic has released the smaller version of its selfie Smartphone Eluga S in the Indian market. The new Smartphone named Eluga S Mini, is priced at Rs 8,990.

The new Eluga S Mini also comes with the Blink Play feature that enables the device to capture selfies with the blink of an eye.

Though its name carries the 'mini' tag, its screen size is 4.7-inch, making it only 0.3-inch smaller than that of its bigger sibling Eluga S.

On the hardware and software front, Panasonic Eluga S Mini shares all other features with the original model.

Eluga S Mini sports a 720X1080p display resolution and packs a 1.4GHz MediaTek octa-core processor and 1GB RAM under the hood. It comes with 8GB internal storage and supports microSD card slots of up to 32GB for expansion.

The phone has a 1,980mAh battery and runs Android 4.4 KitKat and has connectivity options like 2G, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS.

Panasonic Launches 4K Camcorders

Panasonic has launched two 4K Ultra HD camcorders - HC-WX970 and HC-VX870 at Rs 84,990 and Rs 74,990, respectively.

Both the new camcorder variants feature advanced Twin Camera functions. The Twin camera and wireless Twin camera offer picture-in-picture twin camera recording. 

Facilitating multiple shots at one time, the models include a rotatable sub camera that lets users take shots two different angles at once.

The camcorders feature a 4K photo mode which, as per the company, is designed to capture 4K or high speed HD images. The mode lets users choose a single frame while shooting video.

Both the models support AVCHD and other high-bit-rate recording modes. The models also incorporate a MOS image sensor with more pixels for high-definition images and high-speed readout for reduced Rolling Shutter distortion as per Panasonic. The BSI sensor provides enhanced shots in dim locations and new NR enables to capture clear, high-contrast images.

HC-WX970 and HC-VX870 camcorders offer other features like night mode, wind shield zoom microphone, Wi-Fi function with NFC, and narration mode.

Panasonic launches Eluga L 4G Smartphone

Panasonic has launched a new 4G-enabled Smartphone, Eluga L, in order to expand its Eluga series. The device has been priced at Rs 12,990.

The Eluga L has a thickness of 6.1mm and is fitted with Corning Gorilla Glass at the front as well as back for protection. The phone will be available in blue colour.

The phone sports a 5-inch (720X1080p) IPS HD display. It is powered by a 64-bit 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 quad core processor and 1GB RAM. It comes with 8GB internal storage and supports micro-SD card slots of up to 32GB for expansion.

The phone has an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front-facing camera for selfies. Eluga L also features Blink Play feature that activates the camera shutter of the front camera when the user blinks. The phone initiates the automatic three-second countdown when it detects a blink.

It runs Android 4.4 KitKat and comes with Panasonic's Fit Home UI.

The Eluga L supports dual SIM (3G+4G), 4G LTE connection on all Indian networks, Wi-fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS.

Panasonic to launch smartphone next year

Panasonic Corp will launch a smartphone in Europe next year, the latest Japanese maker to tiptoe late into a fiercely competitive market dominated by Samsung Electronics and Apple.

The move comes six years after Panasonic abandoned overseas sales of its feature phones, and weeks after its president, Fumio Ohtsubo, said he was slashing television production in a bid to speed up the ailing firm's planned shift from consumer electronics to environmental and energy technology.

Panasonic will launch a new Android model in Europe in March, later expanding to the United States and Asia, with a view to selling 15 million units in the year to March 2016, 9 million of those abroad, the company said.

"We are well aware of our powerful competitors," said Toshinori Hoshi, head of the company's mobile communications unit. "However, market shares are changing dramatically and if we launch into this fast-changing market, we believe we have a chance of a hit."

The company is targeting only a tiny percentage of a market that research firm IDC expects to grow 55 percent to 472 million units this year and hit 982 million units in 2015.

Despite such robust market growth, even heavyweights such as Taiwan's HTC Corp, the world's No.4 smartphone maker, are struggling to compete, while South Korea's LG Electronics Inc last month announced a $945 million rights issue to fund a revival of its own loss-making smartphone business.

A force to be reckoned with in mobile phones when the domestic market was booming, Panasonic admits it failed to spot the market potential for smartphones at first. It did not launch its first smartphone models in the domestic market until this year.

"It's not a surprise that they're going overseas, but their presence is weaker than it was a few years ago in mobile phones and the whole company is not as strong as it once was," said analyst Keita Wakabayashi of Mito Securities in Tokyo.

Rival Sony Corp is also stepping up its efforts to build share in smartphones, buying out Ericsson's half of their phone joint venture for 1.05 billion euros, and is seen as having a better chance of success.

"They (Sony) can just about claim they are a global player, although they're the smallest, which is something no other Japanese phone manufacturer can say," Wakabayashi said.

Panasonic's new phone, featuring a 4.3-inch OLED screen, has yet to be named, the company said. It will be aimed at businesspeople aged in their 30s and 40s, it said.

New Lumix Digital Cameras from Panasonic

Panasonic is all set to expand its line of Lumix digital cameras. All the new cameras are expected to arrive in April.

The TS1 is a new model that is waterproof, shockproof and dustproof, and also records AVCHD Lite High Definition (HD) video. It’s a 12.1-megapixel camera with 28mm lens, 4.6 optical zoom and iA mode. It’s waterproof to 10 feet, shockproof from up to five feet, and dustproof with rubber padding, reinforced glass and carbon resins inside the camera, and an airtight body. The camera also touts a 2.7-inch LCD display. Priced at $399.95, the camera will be available in silver, green or orange finishes.

The DMC-FS25 is a 12.1-megapixel camera with 5x optical zoom and 29mm wide-angle lens. It sports a 3.0-inch LCD display and shares the same slim look as other FS-series Lumix cameras. The camera’s “Intelligent Auto” mode includes Auto Focus tracking and “Intelligent Exposure” functions. It works with SD and SDHC memory cards. It’s priced at $249.95; it will be available in silver, black and gold finishes.

The FX580 also features a 12.1-megapixel sensor and touch-screen 3.0-inch display interface, paired to a 25mm lens with F2.8 brightness and 5x optical zoom lens. Optical image stabilization, the “Intelligent Auto” (iA) mode and other features come standard; it can also record 1280 x 720 video at 30 frames per second. It’s priced at $399.95 and comes in an aluminum body.

The DMC-FX48, another 12.1-megapixel model, features a 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens, 5x optical zoom, iA mode, image stabilization, and face recognition. It records 1280 x 720 video at 30 fps, sports a high-speed burst mode and macro zoom function, and has a 2.5-inch LCD. It’s priced at $349.95 and comes in silver and black finishes.

The new ZS series succeeds Panasonic’s TZ series. The $399.95 ZS3 sports 10.1-megapixel sensor, 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens and 12x optical zoom, and can record video in AVCHD Lite format. It features the same iA mode found on the other new Lumix models along with Face Recognition. The ZS1, priced at $299.95, comes with a 10.1-megapixel CCD, standard iA mode (no face recognition) and no movie mode.

Panasonic, Sharp and Toshiba launch gadget recycling program

Panasonic, Sharp and Toshiba - the three of the biggest names in consumer electronics have launched a joint nationwide recycling program in the U.S. that allows consumers to return end-of-life gadgets at no cost for recycling.

Sharp, Toshiba and Panasonic began offering the program last week through their joint company, Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Co. (MRM). They are offering the program at 280 collection points in the US.

According to President of MRM, David Thompson, “the joint venture company has plans to envisage 400 collection points open by the end of 2009, rising to 800 by the end of 2011”.

Consumers can drop-off televisions, VCRs, computers, laptops, MP3 players, cell phones and other consumer electronics products produced by the three partners for no cost and most centers also accept products from other manufacturers, although there may be a cost for some products. That typically depends on if the state has a recycling law and if a manufacturer has contracted with MRM to handle its products.