Hasta La Gadget!

Panasonic will release the CN-SG520 and CN-MC02 personal navigation devices (PNDs) in the Japanese market next month. Designed for travelers, the CN-SG520 (Navi Journey) features a 5-inch display with a 272×480 pixel resolution and an SD/ SDHC card slot. It is compatible with both MP3 and WMA files. The CN-MC02 (Gorilla Cycle) is designed for bicycle. This IPX5-certified PND comes equipped with a 4.3-inch display with a 272×480 pixel resolution and an SD/SDHC card slot. No word on pricing at this time. [Akihabara]

Panasonic offers a line of semi-rugged and fully rugged notebook computers called Toughbooks. The company has announced that it has upgraded its semi-rugged Toughbook 53 notebook computer with some new hardware features. The update promises to make the notebook more reliable and improve performance.

Panasonic aims these notebooks at many mobile markets, including construction, military, and insurance. These machines are aimed at any market where a normal computer wouldn’t be able to survive. The main upgrade to the Toughbook 53 computer is the availability of an Intel Core i5-3320M vPro processor running at 3.3 GHz.

That particular processor has a 3 MB cache and features Intel Turbo Boost Technology. Panasonic also expanded storage options with up to 500 GB, 7200 RPM hard drives. The machine can also be optioned with 4 to 8 GB of RAM.

Several new storage options are available, including 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB SSDs. The notebook now has two USB 3.0 ports and improved battery life with up to 11 hours of use per charge. The machine also has an optional integrated GPS receiver accurate within 5 m and optional integrated RFID and smartcard readers. The machine features the same 14-inch LED backlit display designed to be readable in sunlight and has integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and optional mobile broadband connectivity.

Panasonic updates Toughbook 53 notebook computer is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Panasonic announced this morning two new PND that are schedule for a mid October launch.
The first model, the CN-SG520 Series, or “Navi Journey” is a compact 5” PND with a 272×480 screen that comes with the support of SD and SDHC cards as well as being compatible with MP3 and WMA files. This very ordinary PND is however Panasonic first “Global” PND that will be perfect for travellers. Indeed and while still be very limited the CN-SG520 can be upgraded to features the Map of several cities …

Toyota’s just-arrived RAV4 EV will soon get a much smaller cousin — albeit a very elusive one. An electric version of the iQ city car will arrive in Japan (as the eQ) and the US (as the iQ EV) this December, but the automaker is significantly scaling back its 2010 promises of several thousand cars sold per year to just 100 fleet-oriented vehicles. The charging times, costs and range of EVs “do not meet society’s needs,” vice chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada says to explain the smaller ambitions. It’s easy to understand the cautious approach after seeing the car’s final details. While they’re not out of line with the specs of other EVs, the eQ’s 3-hour fast charge, 62-mile range and ¥3.6 million ($46,130) price wouldn’t have regular customers flocking to dealerships. Most of Toyota’s energy is instead being funneled into its tried-and-true hybrids, with 21 due on the market by 2015, as well as plans to deliver the company’s first hydrogen fuel cell car by the same year. Eco-conscious drivers may be disappointed that Toyota isn’t moving as aggressively into a pure electric realm as some of its rivals, but we’d rather see smartly planned baby steps than an overly risky plunge.

Filed under: Transportation

Toyota plans dialed-back launch of eQ and iQ EV city cars in December originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 13:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Civil unrest in China has resulted in demonstrations and violence against Japanese interests in the country. With many of the world’s electronics manufacturers having facilities inside China, it comes as no surprise that some of those factories have been damaged during the violence. Panasonic has issued an official statement about damage to its Chinese manufacturing operations.

So far, Panasonic reports that there were no injuries to its personnel in China. However, the company has had damage to several of its manufacturing facilities. Damage to facilities include Panasonic’s Industrial Devices Company, Qingdao factory where electric components such as switches are constructed. This factory suffered damage to the building and equipment. Panasonic says that preparations to restart operations at the factory are underway, but no ETA is available.

Panasonic also suffered damage to its Industrial Devices Company, Suzhou factory where printed circuit board materials and printed circuit boards are manufactured. Panasonic says that there was some damage to the building and equipment, but no major damage was sustained to production equipment. Operations at this plant restarted on September 17.

Panasonic’s Systems & Communications Company, Zhuhai factory where the company manufactures fixed-line phones has stopped operations and workers have stayed home. That plant was closed after 10 Chinese employees started a protest at the site. This location is preparing to restart operations. Panasonic says that it’s unable to forecast the effect of the damage at this time and will announce if damage and plant closures will affect its financial outlook at a later date.

Chinese Panasonic facilities damaged during protests is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.