Panasonic Connect Canada, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, today announced enhancements to the fully rugged and modular TOUGHBOOK 40 laptop. This second generation of the TOUGHBOOK 40, the Mk2, is the company's first PC to feature Intel Core Ultra processors, incorporating the latest CPU, GPU, and NPU technology advancements and up to 16 cores. Its dedicated NPU accelerates artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tasks for customers across law enforcement departments, federal agencies, and utility companies. Compared to the previous generation of Intel processors, these new processors deliver up to 143% faster AI application performance, 73% faster generative AI, and up to 40% lower processor power for AI-enhanced collaboration.

"We are dedicated to developing solutions that not only address the current needs of our customers, but also anticipate their future requirements," said Dominick Passanante, Vice President and GM of Panasonic Connect. "The TOUGHBOOK 40 Mk2, equipped with advanced AI capabilities, is another example of how we're providing the mobile workforce with tools to enhance productivity and efficiency on the job."

Panasonic Connect today announced the latest iterations of its TOUGHBOOK G2 and 33 detachable rugged tablets. The 10.1-inch G2mk2 and 12-inch 33mk3 deliver market-leading ruggedness, battery life, customisation, connectivity and performance that provide the modern mobile worker with a balanced solution, regardless of the task, application or environment.

Unrivalled performance for any application
Panasonic's TOUGHBOOK G2mk2 and 33mk3 devices feature market-leading performance, enhanced connectivity and increased modularity to adapt to different mobile worker requirements.

In a world where one size never truly fits all, ELECOM is proud to introduce a game-changing era in ergonomic mice. Partnering with top-tier doctors in Japan, ELECOM has crafted the EX-G, an ergonomic mouse series that caters to individual hand shapes and sizes like never before. With four different sizes (S/M/L/XL) to accommodate hands of all dimensions, a palette of color options (white, blue, and black), and an array of connectivity options including wireless, wired, and Bluetooth, your perfect ergonomic companion is just one click away.

Features
ELECOM's EX-G series places ergonomics and comfort at the forefront of its design. Featuring ultra-quiet Panasonic switches for enhanced durability and reduced strain during prolonged usage, the half-vertical mouse redefines comfort compared to conventional bulky vertical mice. Say goodbye to awkward sideways clicking and the sensation of battling gravity - the EX-G is thoughtfully angled for comfort without sacrificing maneuverability. The mice work on Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, and Android devices.

Panasonic today announced the GNW10 SoundSlayer, a wearable gaming speaker that allows players to immerse themselves in play to experience the real emotion of gaming. The GNW10's lightweight, ergonomic design incorporates 4-channel speakers, wireless connectivity, and AI voice control to deliver an exciting, stress-free, and lush sensory experience whether you're going solo or playing with friends.

The GNW10 package combines a wireless, neck-mounted wearable gaming speaker and a separate wireless transmitter. Simply connecting the transmitter to a PC or console via a USB cable creates a wireless connection to the wearable gaming speaker. Compatible with Windows 10/11 PCs, PS4/PS5 consoles, and the Nintendo Switch (TV mode only), the GNW10 system also supports subwoofer output for an ever more powerful soundscape.

Panasonic announced today the world's premier rugged notebook for the Defence industry can now be equipped with the Eclypt Core Encrypted Internal Solid State Drive from global communications company, Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), making the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 40 unrivalled in its capabilities for the military, border control and emergency services. Available in May 2023, the TOUGHBOOK 40 notebook with solid state self-encrypting hard drive is certified for use in the UK for securing Top Secret information and all security levels below, as well as certified for use by NATO and other European countries.

"This is the next step in extending our partnership with Viasat to offer the highest-level security drives across the TOUGHBOOK range," said Jon Tucker, General Manager Engineering, Product & Mobility Solutions, at Panasonic Mobile Solutions Business Division. "With the current geopolitical tensions across Europe and beyond, the demand for this type of highly secure, rugged and modular flexible device is growing every day."

Panasonic is pleased to announce two new pairs of Digital Wireless Stereo Earphones that are perfect for people on the go. Each pair caters to a different listener priority: noise cancelling or longer battery life. For those who value Active Noise Cancelling, the new RZ-B310W are an inner-ear model with Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling capabilities. Meanwhile, the RZ-B110W offer an incredible 26 hours of playback time for those who want to listen to music longer without worrying about maintaining a charge. The earphones themselves can hold a six-hour charge and are provided with an extra 20 hours-worth of playback from a fully charged carrying case.

Both pairs of new earphones are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time thanks to Panasonic's 'Ergofit' design. Both headphone pairs are outfitted with XBS tech to energize the listener's tunes with powerful bass that is streamed wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.3. The RZ-B310W and RZ-B110W offer incredible value for the money at $99.99 and $59.99, respectively. They are available now in a black color on Amazon.com.

Shiftall Inc., a fully owned subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation, will reveal MaganeX, its stylish, lightweight, high-dynamic-range (HDR), virtual-reality (VR) glasses at CES 2022 this week incorporating Lightning 2.6K x 2.6K (2560 x 2560 resolution) micro OLED (organic light emitting diode) displays on chip (DoC ) and all-plastic Pancake optics from Kopin Corporation.

Shiftall, a fully owned subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation, presents MaganeX which is an ultra-lightweight, 5.2K HDR VR headset supporting 6 degree-of-freedom (DoF) head position detection and various SteamVR applications. The MaganeX has a very small form factor thanks to Kopin's 1.3" displays and the slim Pancake optics. The small, lightweight form factor makes the glasses comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, unlike today's bulky VR headsets. The very advanced VR glasses also provide for interpupillary distance (IPD) and diopter adjustments so that they can be used without corrective lenses. The foldable frame with built-in speakers makes it easy to carry.

Panasonic has announced the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Edition of the Wearable Immersive Gaming Speaker (WIGSS) SC-GN01. Designed in collaboration with SQUARE ENIX Co., Ltd., this special model comes packaged in a unique box and has both the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online logo and iconic meteor logo printed directly on the product body. Players will also love the special sound effects pulled directly from FINAL FANTASY XIV Online when launching the game and when switching sound modes.

"When FFXIV players hear this sound, they'll immediately associate it with the act of "switching." Plus, players hear this sound effect often during gameplay, so switching the sound modes repeatedly recreates a situation similar to what happens in game—I think this makes the choice very effective for an FFXIV collaboration. I'm sure this will drive our players to spam the "switch sound mode" button for no reason!" Masayoshi Soken - Sound Director and Composer at SQUARE ENIX.

Razer over the weekend introduced the Ripsaw X, a device the company describes as a low-latency USB capture device for cameras. Intended for those who use DSLRs, GoPros, or professional video cameras that stream live video over HDMI. The device acts like a convenient USB dongle, if you don't want to use internal PCIe capture cards. It supports resolutions of up to 4K UHD at 60 frames per second, or Full HD (1080p) at up to 120 frames per second. It requires a USB 3.x port (5 Gbps), with a single connection handling both power and connectivity. The device is compatible with most popular camera brands, including Canon, Nikon, Sony, GoPro, Panasonic, and FujiFilm. It is largely plug-and-play, with the device fetching its own drivers and software over the Internet once plugged in. It supports most popular software, including OBS. Available now, the Razer Ripsaw X is priced at USD $140.

Today, Panasonic announced the SoundSlayer Wearable Immersive Gaming Speaker System (WIGSS)—SC-GN01—at Gamescom 2021. With a unique, ergonomic design that is worn on the shoulders, you can comfortably enjoy realistic surround sound while losing yourself in your favorite video games. Similar to its sister product, the HTB01 gaming speaker released in 2020, the SoundSlayer WIGSS has been specifically designed in collaboration with SQUARE ENIX with gamers in mind and offers a vast sound field and three different sound modes to enhance the gaming experience.

The SoundSlayer WIGSS's three sound modes, which were expertly created through joint development with the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online sound team, allows users to fully enjoy immersive gameplay. With a high-fidelity sound field, the SoundSlayer WIGSS enhances game audio and provides a truly realistic experience within the virtual world. It is optimized for use with FINAL FANTASY XIV Online, the critically acclaimed MMORPG from SQUARE ENIX Co., Ltd. and provides an unparalleled audio experience within the world of Hydaelyn.

Panasonic today introduced the TOUGHBOOK S1 tablet - the ultimate rugged Android tablet for the truly mobile worker. This 7 inch screen device is easy to use in one hand, adaptable for a variety of tasks yet powerful and tough enough to cope with the busiest shift. It's at its best when in the hands of security and police forces patrolling the streets, technicians monitoring production lines, field services engineers carrying out inspections and maintenance or construction workers on site.

"The modern mobile worker deserves a mobile computing device designed for their everyday needs - not just another consumer tablet in a hardcase with all the potential problems they bring," said Baris Koc, European Product Manager for rugged mobile IT at Panasonic. "The TOUGHBOOK S1 is that professional mobile workforce device. It's built without compromise to meet the very specific and practical everyday needs of both the users and the IT administrators deploying and maintaining them."

A German website, Heise.de, has discovered a bug in HDMI 2.1 chipset that causes black screen issues on specific hardware. On AV chipsets sourced by Panasonic, and used by Denon, Marantz, and Yamaha HDMI 2.1 AV receivers, the chipset experiences a specific issue of a black screen. More specifically, the bug happens once you connect Microsoft's newest console, Xbox Series X, or NVIDIA's Ampere graphics cards. When connecting these sources at resolutions like 4K/120 Hz HDR and 8K/60 Hz HDR to Panasonic HDMI 2.1 chipsets, the black screen happens. This represents a major problem for every manufacturer planning to use the Panasonic HDMI 2.1 chipset in its AV receivers, meaning that the issue has to be addressed. The Audioholics website has reached out to Sound United and Yamaha to see what their responses were, and you can check them out below.

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, today at Augmented World Expo (AWE), celebrates the milestone of partnering with global operators, smartphone OEMs and XR viewer manufacturers to deliver XR viewers to consumers and enterprises within the next year. Since Qualcomm Technologies' device category introduction of XR viewers tethered to 5G smartphones, fifteen global operators including China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, Deutsche Telekom, EE, KDDI, KT, LG Uplus, NTT DOCOMO, Orange, SK Telecom, SoftBank, Telefonica, Verizon and Vodafone have shared plans to sample and commercialize XR viewers to provide immersive, never-before-experiences over 5G.

Lightweight, head-worn devices that connect to a smartphone powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 or 865 Mobile Platforms, XR viewers are glasses tethered to a 5G-enabled smartphone via USB-C cable. XR viewers unlock a new generation of immersive experiences using 5G-enabled smartphones that provide high bandwidth and low latency which is essential for high-quality XR. Consumers' favorite smartphone applications can become augmented reality (AR) experiences in front of their eyes or workplace meetings can be revolutionized through holographic telepresence with virtual collaboration platforms, as XR and 5G come together to transform how the world connects, communicates and consumes content.

Panasonic, an electronics manufacturing giant, has today sold its silicon manufacturing business, marking the end of an era of Japanese semiconductor manufacturing. Once a big player in silicon manufacturing scene, particularly in the '80s and '90s era when Japan's silicon output was huge, Panasonic was considered one of the main players in the silicon manufacturing business. However, due to some difficulties like operating a business with a loss of over $215 million yearly, and having to compete with Chinese and Taiwanese silicon manufacturing firms, Panasonic is selling its silicon production lines.

The subsidiary of Panasonic called "Semiconductors Solutions" is being sold to Nuvoton Technology Corporation, a semiconductor company that spun-off from Winbond Electronics Corporation in 2008, where Winbond still owns 61% stake in Nuvoton despite the spinoff. Additionally, Panasonic forecasts a 27% drop in operating profit for this physical year, with the declining semiconductor manufacturing business counted. The reasoning behind this sale is that the company plans to exit all declining businesses that also include LCD manufacturing, as Chinese alternative manufacturers are stiff competition for Panasonic when it comes to pricing and panel output.

The EVGA NU Audio Card reintroduced the PC world to high-end audio, both stunning the audio world and making new fans along the way. The singular idea of producing Lifelike Audio and Gaming at an affordable price led to an exclusive partnership between one of the world's most recognizable PC hardware manufacturers and one of the true icons of the audio world - Audio Note (UK).

The NU Audio Pro Cards change the game once again. The pursuit of audio perfection on a PC takes another step forward with the introduction of a 7.1 Surround solution by EVGA and Audio Note. We took the solid foundation of the NU Audio Card, improved the component selections throughout, and matched it to a secondary card to provide surround support. The result is an experience where critical listening sessions can yield to enjoyment, and where thinking will surrender to feeling.

JOLED, a Japanese Display, Sony and Panasonic group, has announced new OLED solutions for PC monitors that are expected to enter the market in 2019. While OLED has become ubiquitous in both high-end smartphones and TV's, some of the technology's quirks (read: burn-in) mean that it has some more problems that need addressing compared to the other, more traditional display panel technologies. That's likely one of the reasons OLEDs are taking so long to enter the PC monitor market, even though some of their characteristics (such as the fact that the announced JOLED models can features repsosne times of 0.1 ms) are naturally gamer-appealing.

The market entries will start small, with 21.6" diagonals in both 1080p (geared for gamers in partnership with Japanese e-sports team Burning Core) and 4K (which should make its way to the market inside ASUS' Proart PQ22UC. For some reason, there's apparently a 27" panel that's being developed specifically for smart home applications, instead of for the gaming crowds. Go figure.

Panasonic today announced it is doubling the RAM and storage in the latest version of its popular Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 tablet and upgrading to the latest 7th generation Intel Core i5 processor. The addition of an optional high resolution thermal camera, combined with the powerful fully rugged Panasonic tablet and its versatile configurable set-up also makes it ideal for an even wider range of business sectors and applications.

The 5th generation of the fully rugged Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 delivers more performance for less power with an upgraded Intel Core i5-7300U vPro processor. It has also doubled the RAM to 8GB and storage to 256GB SSD.

Panasonic today announced the newest version of its fully rugged detachable notebook which brings to mobile business computing unrivalled performance, enhanced security and superior usability. The Toughbook CF-20, originally launched in 2015, is still the first and only 10.1" fully rugged notebook with detachable tablet, further demonstrating Panasonic's leadership in the rugged mobile computing market as it continues to deliver innovative fully rugged and semi-rugged 2-in-1 detachable devices.

The enhanced Panasonic Toughbook CF-20 offers more performance at reduced power consumption thanks to 7th Generation Intel Core vPro processor technology. The 2-in-1 device now comes with an extended 17 hours battery life, with a second battery as standard in the keyboard area, and the tablet alone can run for 8.5 hours. Combining these two new features means that the newly enhanced CF-20 delivers significantly higher performance and literally double the battery life.

AMD today announced that Panasonic selected AMD FirePro M5100 mobile professional graphics to provide users on-the-move with quality, performance and innovation in a variety of work environments in the new Panasonic Toughbook CF-541. The Panasonic Toughbook CF-54 with AMD FirePro mobile professional graphics is designed to deliver outstanding graphics performance matched with world-class reliability for professionals in the automotive, telecommunications, construction, manufacturing, mining and defense industries or for professionals that require a portable workstation solution designed for a semi-harsh indoor or outdoor environment.

Panasonic Toughbook is legendary for its ruggedness and is widely known for its reliability and durability, even in extreme operating conditions. The inclusion of AMD FirePro mobile professional graphics creates a bold new category for architects, project managers and engineers who demand the ultimate combination of durability, reliability and workstation-class performance with certified application support.

Panasonic, an industry leader in reliable and innovative mobile computers since 1996, today released issue two of "Unbreakable Valor," a limited-edition comic book series featuring Panasonic Toughpad rugged tablets. The series follows the adventures of the League of Valor, an organization of superpowered heroes who rely on Panasonic enterprise technology solutions, and their IT specialist Kevin Massing. The second issue of the four-part series is available today

Like the debut issue of the series released in summer 2014, issue two of "Unbreakable Valor" was produced by a creative team well known for their work with the comic book industry's biggest publishers. They include writer Ron Marz, illustrator Lee Moder, inker Mark Pennington, colorist Michael Atiyeh and letterer Troy Peteri, with design, logo and production by Phil Smith and additional content by illustrator Bart Sears. The final two issues of the series will be released in 2015.

Panasonic today announced the business rugged notebook for busy mobile executives. The Panasonic Toughbook CF-LX3 is a large, 14" screen notebook with a 14 hour battery life, beautifully packaged in the world's lightest design (1.26kg) available on the market* and still maintains all Toughbook's renowned ruggedness.

With its top of the range usability, mobility and business rugged design, the Toughbook CF-LX3 is ideal for mobile executives that need the equivalent of desktop PC power whilst working away from the office, travelling and presenting to customers. The Windows 8.1 Pro Update 64 bit device is ideal for business executives, consultants, sales forces and those in the Media and Financial sectors, where visual and data applications are critical.

Panasonic today announced at the Automechanika the latest version of its Toughbook CF-53 Semi-rugged notebook with enhanced performance. The 4th incarnation of Panasonic's best-selling business all-rounder, the Toughbook CF-53 is powered by the latest fourth-generation Intel Core i5 vPro processor delivering outstanding performance and up to 15 hours battery life. It uses the latest Windows 8.1 Pro Update 64-bit operating system or Windows 7 Professional (available through downgrade rights from Windows 8.1 Pro) and features a 14" diagonal anti-glare/reflection display with Intel HD 4400 graphics for incredible performance, responsiveness and media capabilities.

Popular as a diagnostic tool in the automotive sector but designed for all mobile professionals, including small and medium-sized business users, the latest Toughbook CF-53 was unveiled at Automechanika 2014, the world's leading auto trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany. Incorporating classic legacy ports featured on previous Toughbook models and diagnostic-specific interfaces, the CF-53 is ideal for those working in the Automotive, telecommunications, construction, manufacturing, insurance and defence industries.

Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company today announced the introduction of the new Panasonic RP-HGS10 Open Ear Headphones which are ideal for active users who want to listen to music while still being aware of what is going on around them. The RP-HGS10 Headphones are now available on www.shop.panasonic.com.

The Panasonic RP-HGS10 Open Ear Headphones sit directly in front of a user's ear to provide sound transmission via advanced bone conduction technology, where vibrations move through the bone directly into the auditory nerve, producing clear sound without blocking the ear canal. With the ear drums freed-up, users can listen to their favorite music and hear their surroundings at the same time. This is especially useful for active users who enjoy outdoor activities like hikers, runners and bikers, allowing them to immerse themselves in their favorite music while staying connected to their environment (e.g. hearing requests to move over or hearing traffic sounds when on a busy path).

Panasonic, an industry leader in reliable and innovative mobile computers since 1996, today announced upgrades to the Toughbook 53 semi-rugged laptop. With a 4th generation Intel Core i5 vPro processor, up to 15 hours of battery life, Windows 8.1 Pro Update or Windows 7 Professional (available through downgrade rights from Windows 8.1 Pro), and enhanced wireless connectivity, the Toughbook 53 now more than ever serves as a reliable and versatile tool for mobile workers in demanding markets such as insurance, construction and the military.

In 1998, Panasonic created the first semi-rugged mobile computer, and the Toughbook 53 continues this legacy today with enterprise-grade durability and purpose-built features beyond those of a consumer-grade laptop. With features such as a 14" sunlight-readable optional touchscreen, anti-reflective and anti-glare HD display, and optional 4G LTE multi carrier mobile broadband with satellite GPS - as well as a magnesium alloy case with handle, spill-resistant keyboard and certification from an independent third party to survive a 3-foot drop - the semi-rugged Toughbook 53 is built to assure a high long-term return on investment for a diverse range of users in enterprise and government. The Toughbook 53 is available in two models - a model with a 500GB 7200rpm hard drive, optional touchscreen and up to 15 hours of battery life depending on usage conditions; and another model with a 320GB 5400rpm hard drive and up to 10 hours of battery life depending on usage conditions.

Panasonic, an industry leader in reliable and innovative mobile computers since 1996, today announced upgrades to the Toughpad FZ-G1 fully-rugged 10-inch tablet. Featuring a faster 4th generation Intel Core i5 vPro processor, the advanced Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro update, a single battery providing up to 10 hours of continuous use and optional bridge battery, and other improvements, the new Toughpad FZ-G1 now more than ever is the gold standard for mission-critical mobile professionals - including military personnel, first responders and field service and sales teams - in need of a lightweight tablet PC providing desktop-like performance in extreme environments.

With new options for an integrated UHF radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader or contactless smart card reader, and optional certification for use in hazardous locations, the Toughpad FZ-G1 delivers significant upgrades to improve worker productivity. It retains key features of the best-selling previous model, including a fully-rugged design certified to meet IP65 and MIL-STD-810G specifications for drops (up to 4 feet), shock, vibration, altitude, humidity and extreme temperatures. For added security, an optional Opal-compliant, self-encrypting drive will be available in summer 2014.