Panasonic reaches record losses in 2011, following fellow Japanese TV makers Sony and Sharp-- -$9.7 billion, losses the company blames on ailing plasma and LCD TV divisions.

TV, camera and recorder sales are down collectively by 21% Y-o-Y. Projections for 2012 predict TV sales to fall further (from 17.3m in 2011 to 15.5m).

The company also admits making a mistake by investing heavily in LCD and plasma TVs back in 2006, which president Fumio Ohtsubo describes as "...an excessive investment, something which I regret." Ohtsubo's term as Panasonic presidents ends on June 2012.

Adding to the Panasonic deficit are writedowns for the Sanyo Electric unit. The company plans to continue a restructuring process cutting 17000 jobs.

Panasonic will also follow Samsung and LG into large screen OLED HDTV production. The company is also concentrating on selling solar panels, batteries and appliances, especially within developing territories.

Go Panasonic 2011 Annual Results

Look out Wireless Power Consortium, a wireless power alternative is in town-- the Alliance for Wireless Power (or A4WP), a new industry consortium announced at CTIA Wireless 2012.

A number of major vendors form A4WP, including Samsung, Qualcomm, Powermat, SK Telecom, Ever Win Industries, Gill Industries and Peiker Acustic. Their aim? Nothing less than "an industry-wide wireless power standard" allowing "spatial freedom" between device and power source.

Currently the Qi inductive-charging standard from WPC transmits up to 5W of power from distances of 40mm.

The only technology details A4WP provides mention how the system will include a transmitter and receiver antenna design, a wireless power control system and the transfer of power through non-metallic surfaces.

A4WP is also looking for partnership opportunities with vendors from applicable segments.

Go Alliance For Wireless Power

Dolby Laboratories and Philips Electronics announce Dolby 3D, a 3D HD format and technology suite for the delivery of 3D content on all 3D-enabled devices, including glasses-free displays.

According to the 2 companies the joint project is set to improve the 3D viewing experience on every size of display-- from smartphones and tablets to PCs and TVs.

Both companies will be working with OEMs, focusing on the standardisation and licensing of Dolby 3D technology. No actual partner names are available as yet.

"We believe that Dolby 3D can help drive the adoption of 3D—creating a comfortable, customisable, truly enjoyable glasses-free 3D viewing experience while enhancing 3D display performance," Dolby says.

Go Dolby and Philips Unveil 3D HD Format

Fiscal 2011 is an even worse year than expected for new Sony CEO Kaz Hirai-- the company forecasts annual losses for 2011 will total $6.4 billion, double earlier forecasts and a fourth straight year in the red.

Meanwhile the Nikkei business daily says Sony plans to slash its global workforce by 10000 workers (or 6% of its entire workforce) by the end of 2012 in order to "improve operational efficiency." Around 5000 workers will be cut from Sony's chemical and small and medium LCD businesses, with the remaining 5000 as part of domestic and international cuts.

The newspaper also claims the company might ask a number of directors (including chairman Howard Stinger) to return their bonuses.