The lines for Panasonic President Toshihiro Sakamoto's opening CES keynote were not quite as ridiculous as those that snaked around the Venetian for Bill Gates' Sunday address, but the slew of product announcements from the Japanese electronics company were far more impressive than anything previewed during Gates' final CES keynote (yes, even Slash).
For one, Sakamoto introduced a massive 150-inch plasma TV, which will be the world's largest. Panasonic is building an entirely new, five million square foot factory in Japan that will produce these enormous TVs, which are expected to hit the market in 2009.
Sakamoto didn't talk price, but it'll likely be in the $100,000 range. But unless you're living in a warehouse, these will probably be use for business or commercial purposes, Sakamoto said.
"Can you imaging sitting at home watching the Olympics on this baby?" he asked. I was thinking the latest episode of "30 Rock," but whatever.
Other announcements after the jump.
[JUMP]
- HomeBase, a wireless Blu-Ray DVD system that can also transfer videos from Panasonic camcorders simply by placing the camcorder on top of the DVD player.
- True Two Way, a partnership with Comcast to produce Panasonic TVs with set-top boxes already built in.
- Any Play, a portable DVR, also with Comcast.
- A partnership with YouTube and Google's Picasa that will feature YouTube video and Picasa photo access on Panasonic TVs.
- Two actors named "Carlton" and "Michelle" joined Sakamoto on stage to offer their thoughts on the announcements. An overly eager child named "Jessie" also took time from community theater to feign enthusiasm in Life Wall.
Check out this story on PCMag.com for more details and a slideshow.
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