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Panasonic to invest $1 billion in green tech

Panasonic plans to invest $1 billion by 2012 to develop green technologies for the home that would include energy-monitoring systems, marking a major shift in the company's focus.

Panasonic President Fumio Ohtsubo said in an interview with the Bloomberg news service this week that growing consumer interest in more efficient products has led Panasonic to decide to develop new core businesses.

"Our growth is not enough compared to Samsung. So we want to change our fighting ring from our current categories to a different field," Ohtsubo told Bloomberg.

The company plans to offer home energy management systems, … Read more

Music recommendations from experts on your iPhone

Back in the dark ages before Internet access, staying on top of the coolest new music required some work. You could read about new bands in magazines and newsletters--the more obscure the better--but most music fans had a few people they trusted to be their personal music experts. Record store clerks, friends in bands, and people in the local art scene all competed to be up on the latest new sounds coming out of Austin or Detroit or Seattle, and the rest of us reaped the benefits of this competition.

Panel, a new Web site and associated $2.99 app … Read more

Honda EV-N concept's only emission is cuteness

The Honda EV-N will be on display at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show as a part of Honda's "HELLO! Zone" electric vehicle showcase. While details about the power train are still fuzzy and vague, we do know that it's all-electric and is cute as a darn button. Here's what else we know:

The EV-N appears to be a futuristic homage to the Honda N 360s and N 600s of the 1960s and '70s. It is a microcompact with a short wheelbase and seating for four passengers (only two of whom will probably be comfortable). Solar … Read more

Vote for Buzz Out Loud at SXSW 2010

Buzz Out Loud is aiming to head back to Austin, Texas, in March 2010 for the SXSW Interactive conference, and we need your help.

SXSW just launched its "panel picker," where the public is invited to vote (yes or no) on different panel ideas, as well as weigh in with comments.

Our Buzz Out Loud podcast is one of the panels up for your consideration. So head to the panel picker at panelpicker.sxsw.com, and search for Buzz Out Loud, or go right to this link to vote.

Of course while you're there, you can vote … Read more

USB solar panels charge cell phones on the go

If you plan on walking through the desert with a cell phone anytime soon, you might want to check in with Sanyo before you leave.

Its new Eneloop Portable Solar panels can charge portable devices through a USB connection. They're also relatively compact and a cinch to tote.

Sanyo's stylish Eneloop line of energy products includes a popular brand of rechargeable batteries and a lamp that doubles as a flashlight. Last time we posted about Sanyo's solar panels, they were chic but clunky. The new book-size, business-slick Portable Solar comes in sets of one or two panels (… Read more

N.J. using utility poles in solar push

It looks like those unsightly utility poles throughout New Jersey will be getting yet another accessory.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities is set to approve on Thursday a $200 million contract between Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) and Petra Solar to install over 200,000 photovoltaic panels to tie in to the state's electrical grid.

Petra's SunWave solar panels, which have smart grid communication tools built-in, will be attached to utility and light poles that are owned and operated by PSE&G throughout the state.

The project to develop, install, and maintain … Read more

HP's 26-inch, feature-rich behemoth

I haven't tested a 26-inch (25.5-inch) monitor in a good long while, and now I have two in testing: the Planar PX2611 and the HP w2558hc.

While the HP uses a typical TN panel, Planar saw fit to use an IPS panel as its underlying tech. The best thing about IPS displays are their viewing angles. In these shots of the Planar, you can see how wide its viewing angles are, especially when compared with the same shots of the HP.

Look for full reviews of both coming here, and in the meantime, take a look at the … Read more

Flat-panel revenue growth forecast as anemic

Revenue from sales of flat-panel displays is expected to rise just 1 percent annually from 2008 to 2016, a new report predicts.

That forecast contrasts sharply with the annual growth rate of 20 percent over the past eight years, according to the report released Friday by market researcher NPD's DisplaySearch.

This year's revenue will dive 20 percent over 2008 due to the sluggish economy. Revenue is expected to see a revival in 2010, rising 13 percent over this year.

The overall flat-panel market is expected to grow from $82.6 billion in 2009 to $111.5 billion in … Read more