CORRECTING and REPLACING Panasonic Brings Education Solution for K-12 to Market in Collaboration with Intel and Microsoft

**2-in-1 convertible device is rich with software, developed to increase productivity in and outside classroom**

Panasonic, a leader in holistic technology solutions for the education market, today announced it has collaborated with Intel and Microsoft Corp. to deliver a purpose-built mobile computing solution for the K-12 education market. The 2-in-1 convertible device, the 3E ("Engage, Empower, Enable"), features a tablet that comes with a detachable keyboard to deliver laptop capabilities and aims to engage students, empower teachers, and enable IT. (Photo: Business Wire)

ISTE 2014
CORRECTION...by Panasonic

ATLANTA--()--Added Availability section above the Panasonic Solutions for Business boilerplate for the release dated June 29, 2014.

The corrected release reads:

PANASONIC BRINGS EDUCATION SOLUTION FOR K-12 TO MARKET IN COLLABORATION WITH INTEL AND MICROSOFT

**2-in-1 convertible device is rich with software, developed to increase productivity in and outside classroom**

Panasonic, a leader in holistic technology solutions for the education market, today announced it has collaborated with Intel and Microsoft Corp. to deliver a purpose-built mobile computing solution for the K-12 education market. The 2-in-1 convertible device, the 3E (“Engage, Empower, Enable”), features a tablet that comes with a detachable keyboard to deliver laptop capabilities and aims to engage students, empower teachers, and enable IT. The company unveiled the 3E today at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference.

“Any one of our companies could design and develop a mobile computing solution for the education market,” said Rance Poehler, President, Panasonic System Communications Company of North America. “Delivering a student device was not our goal; we wanted to deliver the solution to the challenges faced specifically by K-12 students and educators. With our combined resources and vast education market experience, these three companies have the ability to collaborate on a solution that is greater than the sum of its parts. By working together, Panasonic, Intel and Microsoft are helping bring to market a purpose-built education solution that will promote digital literacy and deliver truly personalized learning.”

Designed from the ground up for the K-12 market, every aspect of the 3E was conceived to encourage inquiry-based learning, to boost engagement and nurture analytical skills that will help students succeed in STEM subjects. The device is also able to alleviate teacher anxiety by empowering them to deliver personalized learning for students while maintaining whole group instruction.

Created Specifically for Today’s K-12 Student

Developed to foster active learning and effective classroom management, the 10” touch-screen 3E 2-in-1 features education-specific software, such as KNO, from Intel and Microsoft. The 3E also includes a detachable keyboard for maximum flexibility, in addition to:

  • Interactive STEM-centric Features: The 3E includes a stylus for easier note-taking, an attachable magnifying lens that turns the camera into a microscope, and a temperature probe for lab experiments. These interactive features promote inquiry-based learning and facilitate training in STEM subjects.
  • Durability: As a manufacturer of mobile devices that can survive the world’s most extreme environments, Panasonic has infused the student devices with similarly rugged technology: the 3E is able to withstand three-foot drops in addition to being spill and dust resistant, meeting IP51 standard. Such a level of ruggedness increases where and how lessons can be taught, and reduces the risk of device replacement costs.
  • Classroom Management: The 3E promotes student collaboration with reversible docking, and allows teachers to control what the students are doing by viewing or unlocking their devices to ensure everyone is on the same page and tracking with the lesson.

“As educators, it is our imperative to support extended learning and expose students to the tools and environment that await them in the work world,” said Jason Messer, Superintendent of the Manteca Unified School District and 3E customer. “Devices that are purpose-built for K-12 education, like the 3E, are ideal to meet the needs of this market and help the students leap into the digital age.”

“At Intel, we’re inspired by the potential of technology to bring learning to life and equip students with the skills they need for future success,” said John Galvin, vice president of the Sales and Marketing Group at Intel and general manager of Intel Education. “Devices such as the 3E are powerful learning tools that transform how students learn and teachers teach. We’re doing more than simply giving students devices to take notes – we’re empowering teachers to have more control over their lessons and incorporate interactive features that inspire student curiosity and promote inquiry.”

“Digital inking makes a significant difference in student outcomes in the areas of math and science,” said Margo Day, vice president, U.S. Education, Microsoft. “We are deeply committed to improving student success through innovative technology. Our collaboration with Panasonic to create a STEM-centered Windows 8.1 student device at an affordable price is an important pillar in that effort.”

Additional features include:

  • Range of I/O ports: The 3E offers wide compatibility, with Micro HDMI, Micro SD, micro-SIM card, audio/microphone combo jack, USB 3.0 and power ports.
  • Leading processor and operating system: The 3E is built on an Intel® Atom™ quad-core processor and runs Windows 8.1 PRO right out of the box.
  • Long battery life: The 3E can last a full school day with a tablet battery life of eight hours, plus an optional keyboard with carrying handle that can extend the battery an additional three hours.

For a full list of 3E specifications, http://www.panasonic.com/business/3e/3e-2-in-1-device-specs.asp.

Accessibility for Range of School District Budgets

In spite of its rich features and rugged technology, the 3E comes at an affordable price point, starting at $499. By offering an affordable device that will promote digital literacy, heighten student engagement and help districts meet benchmarks, the 3E takes aim at the inequality currently weighing on the education system in the U.S.

Panasonic also offers grant-writing assistance to ensure that schools with tighter resources are able to provide students with technology that will engage and inspire them. The program is part of Panasonic’s end-to-end education solutions offering, which includes custom system design, deployment and support. Additionally, the recently launched program Panasonic Education Pricing (PEP) offers K-12 institutions deep discounts from retail pricing. The initiative includes Panasonic’s suite of products for the classroom and will extend accessibility of its product and services to all students and faculty, without breaking the budget.

The 3E 2-in-1 and full Panasonic connected classroom are on display at this year’s ISTE. At booth #901, attendees can experience the connected classroom and see how compatible products such as projectors, tablets, lecture capture, enhanced classroom audio and security can work together to improve the learning experience for students and ameliorate obstacles for staff and teachers.

Availability:

The 3E will be available in the United States only, through authorized Panasonic resellers, in Fall 2014. For more information, visit us.panasonic.com/3E or contact educationsolutions@us.panasonic.com.

Sales inquiries for Panasonic’s Education solutions should be directed to sales.psc@us.panasonic.com.

Panasonic Solutions for Business

Panasonic delivers game-changing technology solutions that deliver a customized experience to drive better outcomes—for our customers and our customers’ customers. Panasonic engineers reliable products and solutions that help to create, capture and deliver data of all types, where, when and how it is needed. The complete suite of Panasonic professional solutions for government and commercial enterprises of all sizes addresses unified business communications, mobile computing, security and surveillance, retail point-of-sale, office productivity, visual communications (projectors, displays, digital signage) and HD video production. Panasonic solutions for business are delivered by Panasonic System Communications Company of North America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation.

All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice. Information on Panasonic solutions for business can be obtained by calling 877-803-8492 or at us.panasonic.com/business-solutions/.

About Panasonic Corporation of North America

Panasonic Corporation of North America provides a broad line of digital and other electronics products and solutions for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. In Interbrand’s 2014 annual “Best Global Green Brands” report, Panasonic ranked number five overall and the top electronics brand in the report. As part of continuing sustainability efforts, Panasonic Corporation of North America relocated its headquarters to a new facility, built to meet LEED certification standards, adjacent to Newark Penn Station in Newark, NJ. Learn more about Panasonic at www.panasonic.com.

Contacts

Cohn & Wolfe for Panasonic
Gwennie Poor, 415-403-8306
gwennie.poor@cohnwolfe.com
PanasonicB2B.PR@cohnwolfe.com

Release Summary

Panasonic, Intel and Microsoft Corp. have collaborated to deliver a purpose-built mobile computing solution for the K-12 education market, the 3E.

Contacts

Cohn & Wolfe for Panasonic
Gwennie Poor, 415-403-8306
gwennie.poor@cohnwolfe.com
PanasonicB2B.PR@cohnwolfe.com