May 2021

A few days ago Panasonic released the 7-inch TOUGHBOOK S1 Android tablet. Since smartphones are now pushing towards (and into) 7-inch displays, we wondered why Panasonic did such a small tablet, especially since they already have the also 7-inch TOUGHBOOK L1. The near duplication still isn't quite clear, but tablets, of course, aren't smartphones. And the new TOUGHBOOK S1 is much closer to a full-grown, full-function tablet than to a handheld. [See description, analysis and specs of the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK S1]

Panasonic introduces powerful new fully rugged TOUGHBOOK S1 tablet to enhance flexibility and reliability for mobile workers
Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, announced today the launch of the TOUGHBOOK® S1, an all-new, fully rugged 7-inch AndroidTM tablet that offers the functionality, performance, power and flexibility mobile workers need when capturing and accessing critical information in the field. The device is supported by productivity+, a comprehensive Android ecosystem that enables customers to develop, deploy and sustain the Android OS environment in the enterprise. [See Panasonic media release] -- Posted Tuesday, May 18, 2021 by chb

Global tablet shipments drop sequentially in 1Q21
According to DigiTimes, global tablet shipments totaled 35.95 million units in Q1 2021, down 22.7% from the prior quarter, but down 45.5% compared to Q1 2020. DigiTimes says White-box tablet vendors are being hit seriously by IC shortages with market shares taken over by brand vendors' inexpensive models. As a result, white-box tablets may be at risk of disappearing from the market in 2022. The global top-4 tablet brands in the first quarter were Apple, Samsung Electronics, Amazon and Lenovo. [See DigiTimes Global tablet shipments drop sequentially in 1Q21] -- Posted Tuesday, May 4, 2021 by chb