Panasonic re-enters the European mobile phone marketplace
with slim and stylish Android smartphone
Japanese technology giant plans to sell 1.5 million high quality and
technologically advanced smartphones to Europe’s style-conscious young
professionals in 12 months
Hamburg, Germany (21 February 2012). Panasonic’s European CEO, Laurent
Abadie, has revealed the company’s plans to bring its range of global smartphones
to the European market – as well as its launch device – at Panasonic’s annual
convention in Hamburg. Abadie outlined a target of 1.5 million handset sales in
Europe in the next fiscal year (1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013), as part of the
recently stated expectations for growth in the company’s global mobile phone
business to 15 million units by end of fiscal year 2015 which ends in March 31,
2016.
“Panasonic is one of the leading suppliers of mobile phones to the Japanese
market. As consumer demand for mobile phones – especially smartphones –
continues to grow and mature in Europe, we believe the market lacks a range of
phones that successfully mixes beauty, high-quality engineering, and the most
advanced lifestyle-enhancing technologies,” said Abadie.
Toshiya Matsumura, General Manager, Head of Mobile Communications,
Panasonic System Communications Europe, added: “The strength of our global
brand and our ability to provide our customers with devices that enable fully
connected lifestyles – including the work we’re doing that brings mobile
connectivity and consumer electronics together in the home – means we’re
confident that the launch of our smartphone business in Europe will be a huge
success.”
At Panasonic’s convention, Abadie launched the ELUGA, an ultra-slim, waterproof
and dustproof Android smartphone that contains NFC technology, one of the
largest screen-to-phone ratios on the European market, and ‘Swipe and Share’
technology that works with the company’s range of VIERA televisions. At just 103
grams, the Panasonic ELUGA is also one of the lightest Android smartphones in
Europe.
ELUGA – stemming from the phrase ‘elegant user-oriented gateway’ – is the
launch model for Panasonic’s range of devices designed to be ultra-thin but pack
in high-end technology for demanding consumers. Features of the launch model
include:
• A super thin frame and 4.3-inch large QHD (960x540) screen with
exceptional viewing quality. The ultra-slim D shaped design slips easily
into a pocket without spoiling the line of clothes.
• Being dust protected to IP5X and waterproof to IPX7 means the device is
extremely hardy, including the ability to still work after immersion in
water for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 metre.
• Near-field communication (NFC) technology means the phone is ready for
‘no touch’ interactions, including contactless payments.
• The Swipe and Share feature enables users to wirelessly ‘throw’ pictures
from the phone to TV or cloud services, or stream movies from the phone
to a TV. The phone also works as a remote control for other electronic
devices in the home (such as a VIERA TV, DIGA Blu-ray player and
recorder, home cinema system, or digital still camera).
• The range will also feature ‘eco mode’, Panasonic's unique power-saving
technology which provides significant environmental benefit by shutting
down non-essential features when the phone is running low on battery
power.
Panasonic will be exhibiting its European range of smartphones at Mobile World
Congress 2012 in Barcelona, stand CY31, from February 27.
Panasonic is a global company with production and sales sites around the world.
In January 2012 it created Panasonic Systems Communications Europe (PSCEU), to
handle products and services specifically related to system, network and mobile
communications in the region.
“We will continue to use our global resources, including our R&D sites in Japan
and the UK, to promote the ongoing development of our products and our
commitment to the fusion between high-level mobile communications technology
and advanced audio-visual technology, all the while responding to our users’
needs,” commented Matsumura.
For more information on the company and the
Panasonic brand, visit the company's website at panasonic.net.
