ces2013

Panasonic's E series LCDs are feature-rich

LAS VEGAS--In 2013, Panasonic is releasing its largest line of LCDs yet, with seven different series to choose from. While the WT60 and DT60 sit at the high end, it's the three types of E series that make up the bulk of the company's offering.

The three E series include the 50-inch and 60-inch ET60; the E60 in four sizes (42-, 50-, 58-, and 65-inch screens); and the entry-level EM60 at 39 inches and 50 inches.

Unusually for Panasonic, the ET60 and E60 are blessed with an embarrassment of feature riches. The most "gadgety" addition is … Read more

Amp your iDevice with Kubxlab acoustic amplifier case

LAS VEGAS--Want to pump up the volume on your Apple device? Kubxlab's acoustic amplifier lets you do that. The accessory maker showed off its Ampjacket case for the iPhone 5, iPad Mini, and the iPod Touch at CES Unveiled earlier today.

The case works by channeling the audio output from the device so the volume is enhanced. Of course, the case also acts to protect the device from accidental drops. The company claims that Ampjacket doubles the volume on your device. During a short hands-on, the iPhone 5 did seem louder with the Ampjacket, even in a noisy environment. … Read more

Bosch lays out home and auto tech plans at CES 2013

LAS VEGAS--At a press conference to officially kick off CES 2013 media day, multifaceted industrial technology company Bosch gave attendees an overview of its mission for 2013: to continue to dip its hand in every facet of your life.

From the get-go, Chairman Werner Struth laid out his vision, with some admittedly compelling evidence that Bosch could, in fact, be poised for a home and automobile takeover of some kind.

Struth started off with the very tools that are used to construct and renovate your home. From a rotary hammer to a tilt-sensor laser distance measurer, Struth listed out a … Read more

Panasonic rolls out new Blu-ray players, high-end models get Miracast

LAS VEGAS--Panasonic (along with Sony) has been one of the the biggest Blu-ray supporters since the format's inception, and the company continues to heavily support the format even as its importance fades.

Panasonic unveiled four new Blu-ray models at CES 2013: two 3D models (DMP-BDT330 and DMP-BDT230) and two 2D models (DMP-BDT89 and DMP-BD79). All of the models save for the the DMP-BD79 include built-in Wi-Fi.

The 3D models include Panasonic full Viera Connect suite of streaming-media services, as well as 2D-3D conversion and a Web browser. Both models also support Miracast (Panasonic calls it Display Mirroring), which makes … Read more

Lowe's corrals home management under Iris

LAS VEGAS--Lowe's might not be the first name that comes to mind when you're thinking about cutting-edge home tech, but the company has quietly moved into the field with a series of simple, do-it-yourself kits called Iris.

Pulling together technology from a huge range of vendors, including Verizon, Sylvania, Schlage, First Alert, GE Jasco, and Radio Thermostat of America, Lowe's is offering three Iris kits as well as a new senior monitoring pack called Iris Care.

Iris Care lets you monitor a person's habits and routines remotely. When it detects something abnormal, such as a door … Read more

Panasonic's Bluetooth speaker plays nice with tablets, does faux surround

LAS VEGAS--Samsung and LG aren't the only major manufacturers getting in on the Bluetooth speaker market.

Panasonic introduced the SC-NP10 Bluetooth speaker at CES 2013, designed with tablets in mind. The 3.5-pound speaker is designed to prop up tablets for movie-watching, although it doesn't necessarily need to be used with a tablet.

The SC-NP10 also has a feature called "Near Field Stereo Sound," which is supposed to make audio sound better even though you're close to the speaker. There's virtual surround processing as well, to help widen the soundstage from the small speaker. … Read more

Panasonic sticks with plasma-heavy TV lineup

LAS VEGAS--There are still going to be three makers of plasma TVs in 2013 -- LG, Samsung, and Panasonic -- but the only one going all-out for the display technology is Panasonic.

The company has announced five full series of plasma TVs, and here they are in a nutshell.

TC-PZT60 series (65 and 60 inches) Panasonic's 2013 flagship promises "Beyond the Reference" picture quality, with an all-new Studio Master panel that has the thinnest gas layer yet, which the company says will remove dim and double images. There's a newly developed red phosphor, faster switching than … Read more

Six new Panasonic micro home stereos sound off at CES 2013

LAS VEGAS--Panasonic takes to CES 2013 to announce an array of updates to its line of micro stereo systems, this year with an emphasis on streaming, though several of the products include a Lightning dock for fifth-generation iOS music players.

As users grow more comfortable with wireless audio standards like Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay, Panasonic banks on a new generation of devices that rely on a wireless connection to transmit music.

The company gives a full refresh to its HC home audio systems with the introduction of the SC-HC58, SC-HC38, and SC-HC28. The SC-HC28 relies on a Lightning dock and … Read more

Secure line: AT&T to launch home security biz in March

LAS VEGAS--AT&T said today that it plans to launch its home security service in March in eight markets, representing a new business for the telecommunications giant.

The Dallas company said it will make its "Digital Life" home service available in 50 markets by the end of the year as the company slowly expands its rollout.

Why is a phone company getting into home security? AT&T believes it's a market that's ripe for "a face-lift," one that's fragmented and based on antiquated technology.

"We hope to completely change the … Read more