The nationwide switch from analog to digital broadcasts will be here before you know it. While the switch won’t affect most TV watchers in the U.S., there are some who are still not ready. As a result of old analog TVs not functioning after the switch, many have been upgrading to digital flat panel TVs. This has been one of the major factors pushing growth in the TV market.

DisplaySearch has released its quarterly reports on the number of TVs shipped worldwide for Q3 2008. Despite the poor economy, TV shipments grew by 11% quarter-over-quarter and 6% year-over-year. Over 53 million TVs were shipped worldwide in the quarter. Shipments in North America grew more than expected with a 12% increase compared to last quarter to 10 million units.

With the Panasonic Pocket Power phone charger, you can have instant power for your iPhone anytime you need it. Just insert a few AA batteries inside, connect the Pocket Power phone charger to your handset and let it charge for awhile. Then you’ll have a few more hours of jibber-jabber time. It doesn’t just charge your iPhone, it will also charge your iPod touch and a bunch of other devices. The Pocket Power will retail for $36.45. It’s practical and convenient.

We only have to look at a newspaper or watch the news to know that the economy in America is hurting. With the build up to the holiday season here that means that many wish lists this holiday season will remain wishes with consumers not being able to spend like they have in previous years.

A new study from Research and Markets claims that a full 24.1% of respondents do not plan to purchase consumer electronics items this holiday season. With consumer electronics one of the perennial top choices on wish lists that is an impressive number of shoppers not buying. Two years ago 19.4% of consumers didn’t plan to buy consumer electronic items.

Back when I had a real job I worked in the health care field. I can tell you from experience that the hospital is one of the roughest places on the planet for a computer. Machines are dropped, stepped on, bled on, pooped on, and crushed between walls and heavy gear very frequently.

The trick is to have computers rugged enough to withstand frequent cleanings and the perils of hard use. Panasonic has announced its latest fully rugged computer system called the Toughbook H1 that is designed specifically for the medical setting. The machine uses the Intel Atom Z540 CPU and runs Windows Vista Business.

When electronic devices break and are no longer usable many people, don’t realize that you can’t simply toss them into the trash and send the devices to the landfill. Many electronic devices have varying amounts of hazardous substances inside them.

That leaves many consumers with no way to dispose of electronics in a safe and convenient method. Panasonic announced this week that it would be launching a nationwide electronics recycling program for Panasonic branded electronics items.

This isn’t the first time we’ve told you about fuel cell technology in laptops. Back in July Lenovo was trying their hand at a prototype laptop using fuel cells. But Panasonic’s latest fuel cell breakthrough is the world’s smallest designed for notebooks. At 270cc, it’s about the same size as the existing lithiums. The key is that they use highly concentrated methanol, similar to what the military uses. Just 200cc will give you 20 hours of power. The prototype weighs just 320 grams.

If you prefer to charge your gadgets by fuel cell, they have a paperback-sized device that will get the job done. The company is expecting both to be available in 2012. Don’t worry, we shouldn’t need to carry around tanks of methanol.

A few things tend to be common amongst DSLR cameras. They tend to be large and heavy cameras, have interchangeable lenses and usually you only get black or silver colors to choose from. The DSLR is becoming more popular as new models are introduced that add new features to the category as the cameras get smaller, the get more appealing as well.

Today, Panasonic announced the world’s first Micro Four Thirds system camera. The Lumix G1 claims several world’s firsts including the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera and the world’s first to be offered in multiple colors. The G1 weighs 0.85 pounds, making it about half the weight of DSLR cameras.

Not too long ago my dad had his old TV go out after a lightning strike, so he asked me to head to the local Best Buy with him to get a new TV. I realized two things straight away. First, the vast majority of employees at Best Buy are morons. Then I realized most Best Buy TV salesman use the lower lifespan of plasma TVs compared LCD TVs to talk shoppers out of going plasma. Personally, I prefer plasma to LCD because you usually get more contrast and a brighter picture.

Panasonic has announced new plasma TVs in its VIERA 1080p line that will make the lifespan argument against plasma TVs a moot point. Panasonic says its new 1080p plasma HDTVs are rated to last for up to 100,000 viewing hours before they dim to half brightness.

There are many eco-friendly gadgets that wind up. But having a remote that winds up to charge the battery is the best idea yet. How many batteries have your various remotes killed over the years. And it’s a pain replacing them. Some are AA some are AAA. Sometimes you only have one good battery and the thing takes two!

Well a wind up remote like this eliminates all of that hassle. Just wind the dial and 30 full turns is enough to provide a full charge, which should last you about a week. Supposedly it works with hundreds of brands, including Samsung, Sony, Phillips, Panasonic so it should have you covered. It costs $39 but will pay for itself quickly by never needing batteries.

Panasonic has finally answered the clamors of those seeking a successor to its popular DMC-LX2 digital camera by introducing the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX3. This updated model, pricing at around $500, will be available in August.

The DMC-LX3, according to Panasonic, includes enhanced CCD technology, a LEICA lens and what is described as a “wide range of manual shooting controls.” This camera effectively offers 10.1-megapixels and, with the special CCD,  “sensitivity is almost 40 percent higher and saturation is increased by 35 percent.” This reportedly means picture quality is better while also supporting a wider range.

Panasonic unveiled today the LUMIX DMC-FZ28, an action focused digital camera with what the company says is a long zoom and 27mm wide-angle lens. It prices at around $400 and will be available in August.

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ28 is a 10.1-megapixel shooter with an 18x optical zoom, enhanced auto mode and new auto focus tracking which which lets you automatically track a subject while it moves. This reportedly keeps it in focus without needing to hold the shutter halfway down. Up to 15 faces can be focused upon with this feature as well.

Sure, you can find a camcorder that will survive when there’s a light rain, but a camcorder that can film underwater is a bit tougher to come by. Panasonic’s new SDR-SW20 will let you capture footage underwater or in your pool. It uses SD or SDHC memory cards which makes it light and compact, and able to survive drops from about 4 feet or so, which is nice if you are the clumsy type.

As far as images, you’re looking at 640×480 quality JPEGs. While you can’t take it to the ocean floor, it is waterproof up to 5 feet so you can at least film some fish swimming by. You don’t want to bother sharks anyway. Another feature is 10X optical zoom and fast power up so you can shoot in as quick as 0.6 seconds. It will cost you $348.01 and comes in silver or red.

Panasonic is rolling out a new rugged UMPC which is the first to integrate Intel’s Atom low power processor. It is called the Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1 and you’ll find it pricing around $2,500.

The Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1 is, like other PCs of its type, designed to be used in the field under a variety of harsh conditions. It sports the aforementioned Intel Atom processor, Windows Vista, a 5.6-inch WSVGA sunlight viewable touchscreen and a 16GB solid state removable drive which can be upgraded to 32GB.

Panasonic today added two new HD camcorders, saying these new models are the world’s first AVCHD camcorders with a 3MOS system. The new HDC-SD100 and HDC-HS100 are pricing at around $1,300 and $1,100, respectively.

These new camcorders are based upon Panasonic’s 3CCD technology and, using the 3M0S system, reportedly capture better colors, detail and richer gradation. The HDC-SD100 records to SD Memory Card, while the hybrid HDC-HS100 records to both SD Memory Card and to its internal 60 GB hard drive.

Panasonic said today it was releasing a new mobile phone accessory which connects Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones to cordless handsets in the home. It is known as the Panasonic KX-TH1211 Link to Cell and you’ll find it pricing around for around $100 (model KX-TH1212 includes two handsets and retails for around $130).

The Panasonic KX-TH1211 Link to Cell is a Bluetooth-enabled box which has a one touch initialization process, according to Panasonic. It can link up to two Bluetoot-enabled cell phones with up to six compatible wireless handsets. It can also support regular landline communications.