A bit earlier this year we heard that Panasonic (Matsushita's red-headed stepchild) was vying for a little recognition in the OLED TV game, but outside of that, details were scarce. Now, however, we're being told that the outfit is planning to start selling 40-inch OEL (organic electroluminescent, better known as OLED 'round these parts) televisions "as early as 2011." Reportedly, it will be investing "several billion yen" to construct a prototype production line for OEL panels "20-inches and larger" that will go into service next spring. We'd be pretty stoked if the final product were within sight, but make sure to ring us early on next decade to make sure we haven't completely forgotten about this here promise.

The world already knew of Toshiba and Matsushita's separate plans to barrel into the OLED realm, but Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology is all set to become the first in Japan to "mass produce organic electroluminescent, or OEL, display panels." Reportedly, the two outfits will establish manufacturing lines in the Ishikawa Prefecture in fall of 2009, with plans to churn out one million 2.5-inch EL displays. Granted, the products will be rather minuscule in nature, with the idea being to fit them into cellphones, PMPs and other handheld gadgetry. Better hurry -- Samsung's pulling away over in South Korea.

[Via CNET]

For the few people who knew the brand Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., the company is finally, officially going with the Panasonic brand name we all know and love. After much deliberation, shareholders approved a proposal to change the company's name to Panasonic Corporation. The change will begin in Japan October 1, 2008 with an NYSE symbol change from "MC" to "PC" and will be complete in March 2010 with all products and divisions under the Panasonic moniker. While this won't be a big deal to those of us who know Panasonic for its displays and electronics, gone will be the Matsushita battery, ecology, and welding division names. Good bye Matsushita, it was fun while it lasted.

After slipping past their original spring release date, Panasonic's PZ850 series of plasmas are no longer the only ones with YouTube support, but those desiring internet features, high contrast ratios and easy-access calibration settings can expect them on shelves this summer. The 46-, 50- and 58-inch versions should all be available in mid-June, with the 65-incher rolling out in August. Other than the IP features (Picasa access is also part of the package) the THX-certified PZ850s support h.264 playback from the SD card slot, RS-232C, 24p native playback, and a variety of display modes and settings to get the picture just the way the director intended, the way you like it, or anywhere in between. Check after the break for a list of prices, and our video hands on from CES 2008.

Alright, we get it. SED actually is not the wave of the future for televisions, but OLED most probably is. At present, we've got Sony, Toshiba, Samsung and LG Display (among others) all vying for your future dollars, and since competition in the HDTV space is so grand for consumers, we won't be kvetching too much about yet another entrant. DigiTimes has it that Matsushita (parent company of Panasonic) is looking to begin production of OLED displays "in the future." That's it. No juicy clues as to when, no inside information about panel sizes -- nothing. Just enough to tease you and leave you in a state of panic for the foreseeable future.

[Via OLED Display]

Pioneer and Matsushita (Panasonic) have finally hammered out the basics of a deal that will allow the latter to supply panels for future Kuro plasma displays, and plasma HDTV fans to breathe easy again. Pending a final agreement in May, dollars and cents remain undisclosed, but we can expect a fusion of Panasonic's current "Neo PDP" technology from its Viera line when they begin production May 2009 in Amagasaki before hitting shelves in the fall. Kuro will still be maintained as a premium brand (with a premium price) with different image processing, while both companies plan to keep working together on reducing power consumption and the infinite black level plasma. Pioneer still plans future Kuro LCD HDTVs based on panels from Sharp,but it'll also apparently have access to IPS technology from Panasonic's tie-up with Canon and Hitachi. See? We told you it'd be okay.

[Via AV Watch]

If you're all broken up about Pioneer's seeming exit of the plasma business, take heart. Pioneer Executive Vice President Russ Johnston claims Pioneer's plans aren't to abandon Kuro-quality plasma displays in any way. The move to an outside manufacturer (Matsushita, parent company of Panasonic) is designed to cut cost in plasma production, but Pioneer still plans to maintain its premium edge over competitors. "The number-one goal is to make sure we can maintain our differentiation," said Russ, "and specifically our Kuro difference in the marketplace." Apparently Pioneer will be still be responsible for the video circuit and processing, the color filter strategy and other such secret sauce, and the company is confident Matsushita can step up to the Pioneer level of panel production -- even if it might involve sharing a few trade secrets along the way. Apparently Matsushita is slated to start providing the modules by 2009.

We wondered why its so hard to find one of Pioneer's award winning Kuro plasmas on shelves these days, and here is the answer. The Nikkei is reporting that Pioneer plans to stop producing plasma panels altogether, and only put together HDTVs with panels purchased from other sources. Panasonic and Hitachi remain as the only Japanese plasma manufacturers, Pioneer already has a deal with the former to purchase plasmas for its 42-inch model, and will expand that agreement according to The Nikkei. Honestly, this wouldn't be a big deal for most companies, as we've seen with the Sony/Sharp/Samsung triangle in LCD manufacturing, but since Pioneer is the only manufacturer promising the blackest black levels this side of carbon nanotubes, we're freaking out a bit. Here's hoping Pioneer slides over the blueprints to the infinite contrast concept (and that sexy 9mm model) and keeps the party going.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in; via CNBC; warning: reg required on read link]

Completing the final segment of the three-way Hitachi / Panasonic / Canon LCD mashup, Hitachi & Canon have finalized paperwork on the deal. Canon will take its 24.9% piece of Hitachi Displays, Ltd, pending regulatory approval, which should pave the way for plenty of sweet IPS-enabled panels and maybe even some OLED action in the future if anyone feels up to it. The specifics are in the read link as usual, we'll judge the wisdom of this partnership when there's a new HDTV on the shelf.

We figured it was coming, we knew it was coming, and sure enough, it has arrived. All build-up aside, the LCD deal -- not to be confused with the already implemented plasma arrangement -- between Matsushita (Panasonic) and Hitachi has finally been finalized, and under the terms of the agreement, Matsushita will acquire a 24.9-percent stake in Hitachi Displays, Ltd. by March 31st, pending regulatory approval. It should be noted, however, that Hitachi and Canon (who is technically still a part of this wheelin' and dealin' triangle) are still working to hammer out a formal contract, but you can get all up in the fine print by tapping the read link below.

In an overdue move sure to delight tech journos and consumers alike, Matsushita is changing its name to Panasonic. Sure, it was a tough decision to discard the name of its founder after a 90 year reign. But let's face it, the dual-naming scheme hurt both brands and created confusion in the global marketplace. The change goes official on October 1st, pending approval by shareholders.

After just a few months of legal wrangling, Kodak and Matsushita have settled their patent lawsuit, originally brought by Kodak due to Matsushita's alleged infringement of a number of digital camera-related patents. The two companies have agreed to cross-license each other's patents, but it's not all sharing and cupcakes -- the agreement is "royalty-bearing to Kodak," according to documents filed with the SEC. That was fast -- guess Kodak's new strategy of aggressively enforcing its IP portfolio is working out after all.

Here's a rumor which no doubt has Sony, Samsung, and Sharp in a tizzy: Matsushita (Panasonic) and Hitachi are said to be talking specifics about multi-billion dollar panel deals. If things work out, plasma-happy Panny would get a quick foothold in the burgeoning large-panel (greater than 40-inches) LCD market while Hitachi makes a quick get away from its loss making business. Canon is also looking to invest in Hitachi to get their hands on Hitachi's smaller LCD and OLED panels. Matsushita, Hitachi and Canon all issued statements saying that nothing has yet been decided -- a far cry from denial.

Not content with simply destroying our laptops and cellphones, those evil little lithium ion packs have just escalated the human-battery conflict once again by sacrificing many of their number to lay waste to an entire building. Actually, it's not clear what started the fire at Matsushita's Li-ion plant in western Japan on September 30th, although we suspect a cadre of malcontents decided to self-detonate after taking a cue from their comrades at Sony. What is clear is that an unnamed Pentax digital camera -- probably one of the recently-announced Optios -- will be delayed because of the fire, with its launch being pushed from next month to February of next year. Hitting us in the gadget, right where it hurts: smart move, clever foes, smart move.

Remember Toshiba's round LCD displays? Good, 'cause they've got a whole range of prototypes on display at FPD to demonstrate several possible usage scenarios. As an example, how does this cellphone powder your fancy? It's all future-looking stuff so prepare yourself for a cotton-candy filled tip-toe through Tomorrowland, mkay, and head on over to Engadget Japanese for the goods.