Panasonic | Evolving Consumer

Panasonic Gets Wearable

The wearable market is hot and Panasonic is on board with the first 4K/30p Wearable Camera, the HX-A500 (A500). It features Wi-Fi and NFC to allow for quick connectivity to a mobile device.

The main unit of this camera is separate from the lens so it can be mounted at face level to provide hands-free shooting, while the main body offers a 1.50inch LCD monitor for previewing or reviewing recordings. This camera can record up to 30 minutes of video in 4K, and while not the most rugged device on the market it offers an IPX8 waterproof rating, and can survive in up to three meters (about 10 feet) of water. It is also rated IPX5 for dust.

The A500 also offers a 1080p option at 60fps, 720p at 120fps and 480p at 240fps crawl – the latter options allowing for true “slo-mo” recording. Continue reading Panasonic Gets Wearable

Interbike 2013: Sights From the Show Floor Day 2

More sights from the Interbike 2013 – including World Jersey’s notable “2nd Amendment” jersey (above), which we thought made a powerful statement! Kudos to this company for not being one to pull punches. Continue reading Interbike 2013: Sights From the Show Floor Day 2

2013 CES: Panasonic Gets In on the Action

It seems like everyone is now getting in on the action camera bandwagon. At last week’s 2013 International CES in Las Vegas Panasonic introduced its HX-A100, which offers a unique twist in the “point-of-view active lifestyle camera” category. Unlike those “helmet-mountable” cameras from GoPro, Contour and others this one features an earhook that makes it wearable without a helmet! This one is even waterproof so perhaps would let swimmers get in on the action too.

It features built-in Wi-Fi so users can broadcast live video with simultaneous full-HD recording, which can be controlled from smartphone or tablet as well. The new A100 will offer 140 minutes of battery life and can record in Full HD at 1,920×1,080 resolution at 60FPX. It will be ready to go in march.

Panasonic CES Official Website

Housing Bubble

There are many rugged cameras that can do the underwater thing, but only a few SLR cameras that can get anywhere near the wet stuff. However, Nauticam has released a new housing for the Panasonic DMC-GX-1 camera. The NA-GX1offers an ergonomic grip that is sculpted into the housing, and ports for the various lenses that can be used underwater including Lumix 14-42mm kit lens, the Lumix G Fisheye 8mm, Lumix 7-14mm, and the Panasonic Leica 45mm macro lens.

The NA-GX1 is rated for 100 meters and features a housing back that is sealed with an easy to operate safety clasp to avoid accidental opening when going deep.

Nauticam USA Official Website

Panasonic to Introduce Waterproof Phone

This week Panasonic announced that will re-enter the European mobile phone market with a waterproof, dustproof phone called the Eluga. While pricey – as much as $650 in American currency – the phones will utilized the Google Android OS.

The Eluga smartphone’s features include a 1GHz dual-core CPU, 1GB of internal RAM plus 8GB of internal flash memory (there is no mention of a microSD slot) and a 4.3″ 540 x 960 pixel qHD touchscreen display. It is reportedly waterproof and dustproof rated to IP57 standards, and it can be immersed in a maximum of 1.5 metres of water for 30 minutes.

Panasonic is currently the leader in the UK market for “ruggedized products” and the company is looking to build on the success of the products in its Toughbook laptop line. No word on whether the Eluga would arrive in America, but we’re sure to hear more about it at next week’s Mobile World Congress from Barcelona.

Panasonic Introduces Pair of Rugged Cameras

Panasonic-LUMIX-TS4 — Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TS4

Whether you’re on a budget or want to go all out and the sky is the limit, Panasonic has a camera for you. This week the company introduced two new rugged outdoor digital cameras.

First up is the Lumix DMC-TS4, which includes GPS, compass, altimeter, barometer and truly lives up to the rugged moniker. A barometer log is even available to help users forecast the climate and log barometric trends, while the altitude measurements can be used in conjunction with GPS data. And speaking of GPS, the camera more than a million landmarks and 82 countries/regions cover in the maps available on the bundled DVD, allowing Geo-tagged images to be automatically sorted and played back along a map! Continue reading Panasonic Introduces Pair of Rugged Cameras

Panasonic Toughpad: A Rugged Tablet Inside and Out

We have covered a few portable rugged tablet computers here at KinecticShift, but these products aren’t exactly as sexy-looking or easy-to-use as Apple’s iPad. In fact, they are designed for mobile workers and more adept at actual productivity, running some version of Microsoft Windows. Panasonic’s new Toughpad line of rugged Android-based tablets may just finally deliver a device that balances play and work in a tough exterior.

Although it looks chunkier than many consumer tablets on market, the Toughpad looks like a tablet you wouldn’t mind throwing into your bag when compared to other rugged tablets available. When it comes to creating rugged devices, Panasonic has lots of experience in this department. The company has been making rugged computers under the Toughbook name for some time; the Toughbook line has a Windows-based tablet computer, as well. But the Toughpad seems better suited for carrying around, especially if you don’t need the full Windows operating system to get stuff done. And in the sea of Android tablets currently on the market, Panasonic’s stands out. Sure, you can wrap an iPad with a rugged case, but the Toughpad is a different breed of tablet computers with specific users in mind. Continue reading Panasonic Toughpad: A Rugged Tablet Inside and Out

The Third Dimension of Training with Traq3D

httpv://youtu.be/8Y1I_soc_-Y

Fitness is now heading to a new dimension as Traq3D has announced the launch of the next generation TRAZER system, which utilizes the Panasonic Electric Works’ 3D Image Sensing Camera, D-IMager, as the preferred 3D motion detection device for this new product. TRAZER is an innovative interactive exercise technology that was featured on according to the company measures the previously immeasurable fundamental components of movement. It provides the power to detect movement asymmetries and weaknesses to guide rehabilitation, performance enhancement and injury prevention programs.

While this has the appearance of the technology used in current video games, such as the Nintendo Wii, Microsoft’s Kinect for the Xbox360 or the PlayStation Move, it is really a lot more says the technology’s innovator.

Continue reading The Third Dimension of Training with Traq3D

Panasonic Gets Tough With New Tablet

Tablet PCs maybe great for taking on the go, you can do some web browsing, snap and view pictures and even use it as a GPS device. But the iPad and other tablets are so delicate that taking out in the backyard is roughing it. For real adventures you need something that can stand up to a bit of dirt, dust and all the other things the great outdoors has to offer.

Panasonic has introduced such a device in the Toughbook H2 tablet, which runs Windows and has an Intel Core i5-2557M vPro processor running at 1.7GHz. It weighs in at 3.5 pounds so it isn’t feather light, but it is still compact enough for those long treks. More importantly it offers 6.5 hours of battery life and has a fast charging hot swap battery option. Panasonic puts 4GB of RAM inside by default and it has a 320GB HDD for storage. The machine can also be fitted with a 128GB SSD. Best of all, the machine features aTransReflective Plus 10.1 inch screen that can be seen even in backlit, and it supports dual touch with a digitizer and works as a touchscreen.

This is more of a business machine for field workers, but we could see it making its way to the “civilian” market too. It offers GPS, 2MP camera and even an RFID reader. The biggest downside now, besides the hefty price of $3,559, is that the H2 is only available with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as Gobi 200 3G, but 4G will be available later this year. But this very much could be the beginning of truly rugged tablets.

[Via Geeky Gadgets: Panasonic Toughbook H2 Rugged Tablet Computer Debuts]

BodyMedia Announces new API

BodyMedia, the maker of body monitoring devices, has announced a developer API (Application Programming Interface), which should encourage developers to explore and discover new applications to help people know their bodies and improve their lives.

To meet these goals BodyMeida has partnered with Mashery, an API management and strategic services company, to create new apps, either within the existing lifestyle management platform or to apply the unique BodyMedia technology into new spaces, which could include gaming, fitness, entertainment or social networking.

“We want to take our unique data right from the Armbands of our consumers and put it directly into the hands of developers to discover new uses and markets,” stated Ivo Stivoric, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, BodyMedia, Inc. “Our goal is to enable more people to leverage the powerful BodyMedia tools to expand the positive impact of body monitoring.” Continue reading BodyMedia Announces new API

Panasonic Lumix Cameras Ideal for Winter That Won’t End

Earlier this month that silly groundhog failed to see its shadow, and we were promised an early spring. Well, of course that isn’t happening. Parts of the country continue to be buried in snow, and since it doesn’t look like it will end for a while, we might as well enjoy it.

To that end capture these winter memories with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-Z210 hybrid digital compact camera. It features advanced GPS functionality, along with a 24mm ultra wide-angle, 16x optical zoom Leica DC lens. No mere point and shoot camera, this one features a 14.1megapixel MOS sensor and advanced image processor Venus Engine for 1,920×1,080 full-HD movie recording and high speed burst shooting.

And whether you hit the local slopes or want to head out on a global trek, this camera is ready to go. It features the built-in GPS system, where it can provide details on where the photo was taken with latitude and longitude automatically provided in the Exif data. Geo-tagged images can even be pinpointed on maps of social media Internet maps. Continue reading Panasonic Lumix Cameras Ideal for Winter That Won’t End

CES Recap: Panasonic Gets in the Game

At the Consumer Electronics Show Panasonic had many things to highlight, but missing from the buzz was their new line of in-the-ear clip earphones with remote controller and microphone. The new RP-HSC200 headphones are compatible with the latest iPod products as well as the iPhone. Best of all these ‘phones are water resistant for active workouts. These include soft, comfort fit elastomer hanger to ensure that the earphones stay in place so you can do your thing without the worry that these will fall out. Ear pieces are also included in small, medium and large sizes to help you get a snug fit.

These sports headphones give users the ability to control the volume and music, including play/pause/forward and ability to skip tracks, from the cord of the right earpiece. The remote also includes a built-in microphone when used with the iPhone. The earphones feature side mounted 12.4mm speakers and boast a frequency response of 10Hz – 22kHz. The RP-HSC200 sports earphones will be available in March for $59.99.

Panasonic Official Website

Panasonic In the Heart of It

This week Panasonic announced that it will sponsor for the 2011 World Heart Day that will take place on September 29, 2011. Currently, according to the World Health Organization, heart disease and stroke remain the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.1 million lives each year. World Heart Day was created by the World Heart Federation in 2000 with the goal of informing people around the world about the risk of heart disease and stroke.

“We are thrilled to welcome Panasonic, as a new sponsor of World Heart Day in 2011, said Kathryn Taubert, Senior Science Officer from the World Heart Federation. “Their support will mean we can further raise awareness about heart disease and stroke, and educate people on the steps they can take to lower their risk.”

Earlier this year Panasonic changed its subsidiary name form Panasonic Shikoku Electronics Company to Panasonic Healthcare Company. It also has announced the formation of CardioNexus Corporation, an initiative to enter the application-specific device market and a step toward establishing a leadership position in the field of Personalized Preventive Medicine through early disease detection and home healthcare.

“Panasonic strives to be a leader in Personalized Preventive Medicine and by sponsoring the 2011 World Heart Day – we want to help emphasize the importance of living healthy lifestyles, and understanding the risks associated with heart disease,” said Joseph M. Taylor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Panasonic Corporation of North America. “Working together with the World Heart Federation, a global entity, makes this a powerful platform to educate the world with medical facts, as well as participate in local activities.”

To further the company’s commitment to Personalized Preventive Medicine and the importance of heart health, Panasonic will exhibit at the 2010 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions show to be held in Chicago from November 14 – November 17, 2010 at booth number 1831, to unveil the company’s flagship diagnostic technologies.

World Heart Federation

Panasonic Healthcare Co. Ltd.