World Innovations Award For Oxyride Extreme Power Battery

Secaucus, NJ - Panasonic's Oxyride Extreme Power battery - a new, first-of-its-kind technology designed for the digital era, was honored by PC World, the most widely-read computer or business magazine, with a 2006 PC World Innovations Award. The PC World Innovations Awards recognize both benchmark and breakthrough products that set the standard for innovation with unique qualities that distinguish them from the pack. PC World's editors compared hundreds of products before narrowing the field to include Panasonic's Oxyride Extreme Power battery among the 25 winners.

"These are among the most inventive devices available, breaking the boundaries of the computer and consumer electronics worlds while pushing the limits of technology," stated Harry McCracken, VP/editor-in-chief of PC World. "These trend-setting products help define industry standards and raise the bar for creativity in the future. Congratulations to Panasonic's Oxyride Extreme Power Battery."

"Panasonic Oxyride Extreme Power batteries demonstrate our commitment to developing next generation battery technologies for the digital era," said Brian Kimberlin, director of marketing for the Panasonic Battery Corporation of America. "After eight years of research and development, Panasonic is proud to be the first to bring the Oxyride technology to the U.S. market. We are honored to receive this prestigious award from PC World."

First introduced to U.S. consumers in July 2005, Oxyride Extreme Power batteries represent Panasonic's first major innovation in primary battery technology since the introduction of alkaline batteries in 1965. Based on nickel oxyhydroxide (NiOOH) chemistry, Panasonic's Oxyride battery combines newly developed materials and an advanced manufacturing process to deliver improved power performance. Using American National Standards Institute (ANSI) test protocols, Oxyride Extreme Power batteries have been proven to deliver up to 2X the amount of pictures in digital still cameras as Alkaline Plus(1) batteries, with a new and improved Oxyride battery coming in Spring 2006 to deliver up to 3X as many pictures. Currently available in AA and AAA sizes, Oxyride batteries can be purchased at Target, Walgreens and over 14,000 fine national and regional retailers covering approximately 95 percent of the United States.

SOURCE: Panasonic