Abu Dhabi: Panasonic may enter the tablet-computer market in the near future, it was hinted at in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of a media round table on Wednesday.
"I actually bought an iPad. The concept for it and the iPhone is that it is very consumer-oriented. It is designed specifically with the idea of how people can enjoy using it. But we have to be different," said Masao Motoki, Panasonic's director of system sales and marketing.
Key region
"Our main targets are mostly businesspersons and organisations, which is evident from our products, such as our Toughbook laptops, which can sustain a drop from approximately one metre and are anti-shock and spill-proof," he said.
Panasonic provides a wide range of products, from audiovisual and information/communication equipment to home appliances and components. It is considered one of the world's largest electronic companies.
"The Middle East is a key region for us. The product with the highest demand is our cordless phone, which takes up 50 to 60 per cent of the market share. The product that has the least demand at the moment is our All-in-One product, which combines functions such as fax, copier, network and printer. The market share for it currently stands at approximately five per cent, but we aim to increase that to at least 10 per cent by the end of the year," Motoki said.
He also discussed some of the emerging trends occurring around the world, including the advent of 3D viewing, whether at home or in theatres.
"At the moment, there is a lot of buzz around 3D television and cinema but I feel that it is more of a fad than something that is sustainable, especially since the glasses that need to be worn when watching are somewhat bulky.
"The only way it will become a norm is once technology is able to create the experience of 3D viewing without having to wear anything.
"The images would simply be beamed out of the screen. Only then would it truly become a 3D experience," Motoki said.
