GARTNERGROUP SYMPOSIUM ITXPO2000, ORLANDO, Fla., Booth- #6516, Oct. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Graphic Gems (previously XGate), a leader in delivering complete 3D Internet infrastructure service solutions, today announced that Matsushita Computer Systems, Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC), best known by its Panasonic brand name, will begin a service agreement with the Graphic Gems 3D Image Hosting service on the Japanese version of its website. Graphic Gems also participates in the Panasonic Digital Concepts Center (PDCC) Incubator program.
Graphic Gems is developing and hosting a 3D image of a new, very thin LCD computer monitor from Matsushita Computer Systems for the Japanese market. The 3D image will be accessible at http://www.panasonic.co.jp/mac/Products/lcd/lcd.htm, enabling site visitors to view the monitor from all perspectives, turning it around in space and zooming in and out from any angle. However, the 3D image will actually reside on the Graphic Gems server, where it will be managed and maintained. This arrangement is not only transparent to site visitors, it is also transparent for the Panasonic site managers, who will be able to offer the 3D service without actively having to support it.
"This new monitor will lead the industry in terms of color, brightness, viewing angle and many other technical features, so it is appropriate for us to show it online using Graphic Gems' state-of-the-art, 3D technology," explains Satoshi Kabasawa, Associate Director, Panasonic Digital Concepts Center.
"Our participation in the Panasonic incubator program has helped us extend the value we are providing to a new generation of on-line buyers," says Winifred Jiau, President & CEO of Graphic Gems. "Matsushita Computer's choice to showcase our visualization technology on their Japanese website -- especially for such an innovative product -- is further confirmation of the appeal of Graphic Gems' 3D services. It can be hard to get a feel for just how thin a flat-panel monitor is when you look at a simple 2D picture of it. But when you can take a virtual walk around it in 3D, moving from front to side, then looking down on it from the top, you get a feel for just how small the footprint really is."
The extended pilot program encompasses a co-marketing arrangement, whereby a notice written in Japanese will accompany the image, indicating that the 3D image is powered by Graphic Gems. It will also contain the appropriate contact for those wanting further information about the Graphic Gems hosting service. The site was launched on October 2.
About Graphic Gems
Graphic Gems offers interactive 3D Internet solutions over an image- hosting platform that can integrate various types of media. The company enables e-commerce sites to leverage the power of 3D Internet technology, simplifying the creation and management of 3D images. Founded in October 1998, the company is privately held and headquartered in San Mateo, California. For additional information, please see http://www.GraphicGems.com.
About Matsushita Computer Systems, Co., Ltd.
Matsushita Computer Systems Co., Ltd is a system provider in Japan that enables e-enterprise to design for digital convergence. Matsushita Computer Systems Co. was founded in December 1988 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The company is 100% a subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. For additional information, please see http://www.panasonic.co.jp/mac/ (site in Japanese)
About Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (http://www.mei.co.jp) is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of digital electronics for the home, office and in between. It is well known for its Panasonic and other brand names. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated sales of $68.9 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000. The Panasonic Digital Concepts Center (PDCC) Incubator program (http://www.vc.panasonic.com), sponsored by Matsushita, incubates and grows technologies and services that provide value for the next generation of networked consumers.
XGate, XGate 3D Creation, Graphic Gems, and Graphic Gems 3D Creation are trademarks of XGate and Graphic Gems. Their respective companies own all other trademarks and copyrights. All other registered trademarks are the property of their owners.
This story is courtesy of PRNewswire.