panasonic

Will the Panasonic ST50 be the best TV value ever?

In 2011, Panasonic's ST30 was our favorite TV priced at less than $1,000 and perhaps the best value of any TV we've ever reviewed, demonstrating top-of-its-class performance for the money.

But all good things must come to an end, and the ST30 is moving aside for the ST50.

The ST50 sits in the middle of Panasonic's 2012 range with four sizes starting at 50 inches and includes most of the goodies found in the more-expensive GT50 and VT50 televisions. It's the least-expensive to boast the "Infinite Black Pro" panel, which, if last year … Read more

Panasonic goes large with high-end LCDs

LAS VEGAS--Panasonic has maintained that it's a plasma company for many years, resisting the urge to produce televisions that directly compete with its main business.

It seems that in 2012, all bets are off with the release of two new series at larger 47-inch and 55-inch sizes: the DT50 and the WT50.

The WT50 boasts a new look for the company with a super narrow metal frame and "crescent," or "boomerang," metallic stand. By contrast, the DT50 is a little more conservative with a narrow metal frame.

The main picture quality difference between the two is the WT50's use of local dimming in its edge-lit LED backlight.

Unlike the ET5, the two TVs use Panasonic's own active 3D system and also include 2D-to-3D conversion.

Both TVs incorporate high-speed "1920" backlight scanning for higher moving-picture resolution and smoothness during fast action scenes. The backlight scanning divides the screen into eight parts and the backlight turns off for the portions being scanned.… Read more

Panasonic sees 2012 as year of Web-connected TVs (live blog)

LAS VEGAS--Envisioning 2012 as the year of Web-connected TVs, Panasonic has announced its smart TV system has exclusive deals with Flixster and Disney.

In addition, MySpace is partnering with the company for MySpace TV, a social TV service that will allow users to share the latest shows, TV, and music with their friends. None other than Justin Timberlake showed up on stage to tout the service.

The company also announced a partnership today with NBC to broadcast the 2012 London Olympics in 3D. Panasonic shared the news at its press conference at CES. Opening and closing ceremonies at the Olympics … Read more

Top 5 TVs of 2011

In 2011, the biggest "breakthrough" may have been that connected TVs finally got a name--Smart TV--but the year also gave us some excellent televisions.

The Pioneer Kuro has remained the standard in picture quality since the last one rolled out of the factory three years ago, but this year it received a challenger: the Sharp Elite Pro. It wasn't even a plasma, but a highly sophisticated LCD, which eclipsed every other TV released this year.

Sharp aside, there were also standout TVs from Samsung and Panasonic, and LG started what could be a significant trend with the release of the first "passive" 3D televisions.

The TVs presented here in order of greatness are the pick of the crop from 2011, and in addition to excellent picture quality also come studded with the features--3D, Smart TV, etc.--demanded of a modern television.… Read more

My favorite point-and-shoot cameras of 2011

It's crazy just how many cameras were released in 2011 from the major manufacturers. According to camera site 1001 Noisy Cameras, the count stands at 203; the majority of those are point-and-shoots.

For us, a point-and-shoot is a fixed-lens camera (i.e. not interchangeable) that uses a 1/2.3-inch-size sensor. So, before you get all "Where's the Canon S100!" on me, we consider that and similar models enthusiast compacts because of their larger sensor sizes and target user.… Read more

A more secure SD for HD content

Panasonic, Samsung, SanDisk, Sony, and Toshiba today announced an agreement to develop new content-protection technology for SD cards and embedded flash.

Dubbed "Next Generation Secure Memory Initiative," the press release claims the as-yet undeveloped technology will be based around public key encryption. Based on the release's limited information, it sounds like it will create unique IDs that will tie a variety of fixed and mobile CE devices to you, making content producers less nervous about allowing you to download--rather than just stream--DRM'd content to devices they currently can't control, like phones and tablets. … Read more

Panasonic smartphones go global, starting with Europe

Panasonic will expand its smartphone business beyond its home country of Japan, starting with Europe in March 2012, the electronics giant said today.

The company is powerful in consumer electronics, manufacturing not only products but also many of the components within, but it's absent from much of the world's stage in the pivotal and fast-growing smartphone market. No more, the company pledged, after a reorganization.

The European launch marks the beginning of an ambition to reach sales outside Japan of 9 million smartphones in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016.

Leading the charge will be a phone … Read more

Best digital cameras for under $150 (roundup)

With cameras, as with many things in life, you get what you pay for. In the world of point-and-shoots, that generally means you get few features, poorer-quality lenses, slower performance, and more than likely mediocre photo quality. However, there are a few exceptions.

These models were selected because they offer more than you'd typically get for the money. In some cases that means extra shooting options or an optical viewfinder, in others it's a longer lens or good low-light photos. So, whether you're just looking for an inexpensive camera for the occasional snapshot, something with the optical zoom that your smartphone camera doesn't have, or want an ultracompact with a little wow factor, these are worth checking out.… Read more

Greenpeace puts HP in top spot in greener-electronics guide

HP is now the top-ranked tech company, according to Greenpeace's latest guide to greener electronics.

The guide's criteria has been updated to take into greater account energy use, conflict minerals, green products, and supply chain energy use.

Greenpeace released its latest rankings today, showing HP moving ahead three to the top spot. It's a big leap considering that just six years ago HP was targeted by Greenpeace as one of the worst tech companies for using fire retardant materials suspected of being hazardous. At the time, Greenpeace members stood outside of HP's headquarters and handed out … Read more

Android Atlas Weekly 72: The Power of Kal-El (Podcast)

The power of Kal-El, Kindle Fire gets wet, and Flash is dead!? We discuss the rise of Android Watches and Republic Wireless is releasing an Android phone with a $19 a month service plan. All of that and more on this week's episode of Android Atlas Weekly.

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