Panasonic re-entering the smartphone market

Japanese electronics giant, Panasonic, has announced that it is to re-enter the smartphone market next year.

The company, which pulled out of the mobile market in 2006 is reported to be launching new models, based on Google’s Android operating system, in Japan in 2011 and worldwide in 2012. They hope to be able to compete with Apple’s iPhone and Samsung‘s Galaxy S.

“We misjudged the speed at which smartphones would be taken up in the Japanese market,” Osamu Waki, head of the company’s mobile communications unit told a news conference yesterday. “With the rapid shift to Android, we want to catch up quickly.”

Panasonic have acknowledged that they are late in joining the crowded smartphone market, but, hope that their models will stand out through their connectivity with other Panasonic devices. They have announced ambitious forecasts predicting world sales of 15 million handsets by 2015.

Story by Fraser Smith

Fraser Smith is an IT consultant based in Shanghai, China. He has over 15 years experience in the media industry working with many major ne (show all) Fraser Smith is an IT consultant based in Shanghai, China. He has over 15 years experience in the media industry working with many major news publishers. He is also co-owner and editor of edexpat.com the educational resource for international families, teachers and schools. You can contact Fraser via Twitter by following @FrasSmith.