Panasonic confirms plan to launch Android phones globally starting in early 2012
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Panasonic once sold feature phones in Europe and China, but left those markets in 2005 due to shrinking margins and increased competition. In Japan their Lumix series of smartphones continue to be popular, and Panasonic has decided that now is the right time to re-enter the global market.
According to sources, Panasonic is currently negotiating with a “major telecom firm” based in Europe. It is expected that the European launch would proceed launches in North American and Asian markets. Panasonic hopes that by 2015 it will be shipping half of its output, or about 7.5 million Android powered smartphones, to markets outside of Japan.
At this point it’s unknown whether Panasonic plans to use designs similar to those it offers in Japan, or if they will develop products specifically for their new markets. It will be interesting to see whether Panasonic plans to leverage the Lumix brand, or create new branding for their smartphones. Panasonic will be bringing the rugged Android Toughpad A1 tablet to many of the same markets it plans to ship phones to in 2012.
Perhaps a “Toughphone” could be in the offing?
source: Reuters via unwired view.com
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6 Comments
1. ElectroManiac posted on 25 Nov 2011, 15:22 6 0
More competition is always good. Let's hope panasonic can bring some great tech to the mobile market.
3. remixfa posted on 25 Nov 2011, 17:07 2 0
http://www.intomobile.com/2011
/10/01/panasonic-lumix-phone-101p-arguably-best-camera-smartphone-world-japan-only/
ive never even heard of this phone.. this is one of those awesome japan only phones that we wish we could have.. BRING IT!!! lol. 13.2mpx camera with REAL photosensors and real camera tech in it, riding an Omap dual core and QHD screen? Why hasnt this thing come out states?? lol. If they would add in a fast update guarantee or good support of XDA, that would be a huge seller in the US..
4. MNX1024 posted on 25 Nov 2011, 17:20 0 0
Such good news, I wouldn't have made my Galaxy Nexus purchase if this was just announced a couple of days earlier.
5. dunyfunny posted on 26 Nov 2011, 03:19 1 0
I did love their old phones. Hopefully good design with high resolution phones come true!
6. christony1120 posted on 26 Nov 2011, 15:32 0 0
I think this is going to be a huge plus for Panasonic :) I\'m crossing my fingers hoping they become big
