Panasonic Corporation announced upgrades to the Panasonic Toughbook(R) H2, the most rugged handheld tablet PC. The MIL-STD-810G and IP65 certified device includes a faster processor, expanded storage and other improvements, while retaining critical features to enhance usability and durability -- including the ability to survive a 6-foot drop. With these upgrades, the Toughbook H2 delivers an improved return on investment for businesses with mobile workforces and greater performance for clinicians, field service workers, first responders and other mission-critical mobile professionals. Panasonic Toughbook(R) H2: Key Improvements: Upgraded processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3427U (up to 2.8GHz) with Intel(R) Turbo Boost Technology; Expanded storage: 500GB 7200rpm hard drive (shock-mounted flex-connect with hard drive heater) with optional 128GB SSD; Improved battery life: Twin, hot-swappable batteries deliver 7 hours of uninterrupted work per MobileMark 2007 testing; Enhanced connectivity: Intel(R) Advanced-N 6235 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n and Bluetooth(R) v4.0 + EDR (Class 1) standard on all models. Integrated wireless broadband options include 4G LTE or 3G Gobi(TM) and dedicated GPS.

Panasonic announced pricing and availability for the company's new Breakfast Collection, a range of small kitchen appliances including a Toaster, Coffee Maker and Kettle. Featuring bold and ambitious design aesthetics, the Panasonic Breakfast Collection offers new form and functionality to kitchen appliances. The Panasonic NT-ZP1 Toaster is designed with transparent glass and stainless steel adding a touch of elegance to the kitchen. The toaster displays seven browning levels, reheat and defrost indicators directly onto the glass front in blue LED while convenient controls allow for easy selection of menu items. As Panasonic knows that not all bread slices are the same, the Panasonic Toaster is equipped with ultra-wide bread slots to fit even thicker styles of bread or bagels and offers a built-in warming rack, ideal for keeping buns and croissants warm prior to eating. Seven browning levels allow users to perfectly toast bread to their desired taste and a reheat and defrost function makes it quick and easy to toast frozen foods or leftovers. The Panasonic Toaster will have a suggested retail price of $199.95. The Panasonic NC-ZF1 Coffee Maker will have an SRP of $249.95. Fusing well-engineered design with modern functionality the Panasonic Coffee Maker features a strong cubic shape and again, boasts a high-quality stainless steel and glass finish to complement any kitchen style. For single users or families who enjoy different strengths of coffee, the Aroma Selector allows for the easy adjustment of water flow into the pot, making coffee stronger or milder. An 8-cup capacity, double-walled stainless steel carafe will help keep coffee warm and fresh and an Automatic Shutoff function provides a safety guard for users who may forget to turn off the pot. The Panasonic Coffee Maker also features an easy-to-see water level gauge on the exterior, transparent blue LED to indicate power, a convenient paperless filter and a paperless tea filter insert. Finally the Panasonic NC-ZK1 Kettle, which offers users a quick and easy way to boil water without waiting minutes for their traditional tea kettle to heat up on the stove, will have an SRP of $179.95. With a 1.4 L water capacity, the Panasonic Kettle is designed with high-quality stainless steel on both the interior and exterior which can help keep water warm longer. A pop open top makes filling water a cinch and an ergonomic handle and spout makes it easy to pour water without spilling. The Panasonic Kettle is also equipped with a washable scale filter to prevent scale particles from entering a users' drinking water. A detachable filter allows for users to brew loose leaf tea directly in the Kettle. Family-friendly features include a cool-touch exterior and Automatic Shut-Off.

Panasonic Corporation announced that it has developed a solar lantern that doubles as a charger for people living without electricity. With a built-in rechargeable battery to store solar energy during the day, the lantern provides light at night and can also be used as a power source to charge small mobile devices like mobile phones. The company plans to bring the lantern to the market in autumn this year after conducting marketing research in off-grid areas in Asia and Africa. A prototype of the new solar lantern will be displayed at official side events at the 5th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) to be held from June 1 to 3, 2013 in Yokohama. The company will introduce the product to a variety of stakeholders joining the TICAD V. Besides selling at retail stores, the company will make the product available to the wider public through the utilization of support programs offered by governments and international organizations and tie-ups with NPOs, NGOs and other social groups in efforts to contribute to the development of society. Starting with the solar lantern, its first product for BOP markets, the company will continue to accelerate the development of BOP markets and strengthen marketing activities and product development to help improve the lives of people in regions without electricity.