Day 1 Edition - 2018 Edition

NEWS iZONE THE MEETING

NEWS iZONE THE MEETING PLACE FOR THE INDUSTRY For six years now the iZone in Halls 12, 14.1 and 15.1 has been highlighting all the latest Mac, iTech and app products. In 2018 over 90 companies from 25 countries will be showcasing their line-ups on a display area covering more than 3,700 square metres. Among the exhibitors are Soular, Incipio Group, Targus, My Kronoz, Parallels and Muvit. For developers, buyers and sellers of networked communications products the IFA iZone is the international meeting place for the industry. For more information visit IFA iZone. Halls 12, 14.1, 15.1 NEW HEALTH AND FITNESS WEARABLES In 2018, on a display area covering 3,000 square metres, 28 exhibitors from 12 countries will be presenting their latest wearable health andfitness products and innovations in the IFA Fitness & Activity section in Hall 4.2b. Wearable devices equipped with sensors and displays are a hugely successful leisure and sportswear trend. This year’s exhibitors include Fitbit, Casio, Garmin, TomTom and Qardio. For more information visit IFA Fitness & Activity. Hall 4.2b At Panasonic’s IFA press conference, the company’s European CEO, Laurent Abadie, said the 100-year anniversary is a time to reflect on the company’s long and successful history and is also a time to look forward to the next 100 years. He spoke of advances in HDR 10+ technology, the growth of connectivity within the home, and even a glimpse into the future with hyperloop travel. Back in 1918, Panasonic started-out with the development of light bulb sockets with the aim of making people’s lives more comfortable. From there, it has grown into one of the world’s largest electronic companies. Mr Abadie said: “At IFA, we are looking at Panasonic’s past with the aim of building on its history for the next century. Panasonic is looking into mobility trends and has been making big strides in autonomous driving, with the possibility of fully autonomous vehicles as soon as 2030.” One of the grandest developments in Panasonic’s rethink of mobility is in hyperloop technology. Indeed, something that a few years ago was considered science fiction has taken major steps forward through a partnership with the Technical University of Munich. Mr Abadie said, “Students are developing prototypes, supported by Panasonic technology, that are proving that trains travel will be abble at 1,000 km/h. It is not a pipe dream, Laurent Abadie CEO, Panasonic Europe Panasonic celebrates its past, with an eye on the future 2018 is a big year for Panasonic as the Japanese electronics giant celebrates its 100 th anniversary and this is all part of Panasonic's aim for a sustainable and safe future for mobility.” Panasonic is also looking towards improved connectivity in the wider sense, with devices, people and places, in cars, aeroplanes and trains as well as around the home. It is developing street lighting that contains routers for improved connectivity out and about. These also contain sensors to measure the weather and pollution levels within smaller areas for greater accuracy. Mr Abadie added, “We have made strides in developing the integration of energy and heating in the home with energy management systems using renewable energy, something that’s being tested out in Berlin”, adding, “We’re linking up with Vodafone to develop low power, wide area (LPWA) wireless technology. These are devices that can run on battery power for long periods of time remotely.” PANASONIC TEAMS WITH 20 TH CENTURY FOX ON HDR 10+ Panasonic is also promoting the development of its audio products that use Google Assistant at IFA, as well as Smart TVs with HDR 10+. Executive officer of Panasonic Corporation, Michiko Ogawa, said, “This has been developed in conjunction with 20th Century Fox and uses dynamic metadata to optimises brightness, colour and contrast for each scene to deliver better picture quality.” 20 th Century Fox are now reportedly looking to launch HDR 10+ titles in the coming weeks. Warner Brothers have announced STUDENTS ARE DEVELOPING PROTOTYPES, SUPPORTED BY PANASONIC TECHNOLOGY, THAT ARE PROVING THAT TRAINS TRAVEL WILL BE ABBLE AT 1,000 KM/H Hall 5.2 Stand 101 that they will release a library of tiles in the format later this year, whilst Amazon Prime already have content available in HDR 10+ that can be viewed on Panasonic TV's. Also at the Panasonic stand one can find a range of Technics audio equipment including their new stylish Ottava range that uses the ultra-high quality acoustic and digital technology, with added connectivity for extra flexibility. Panasonic's aim is for “a better life, and a better world with the use of technology as the move into their second century” www.ifa-international.org IFA International • Friday 31 st August 2018 23