Philips is one of the world's top three consumer electronics companies, with a range of products based on the company’s world-leading digital technology competencies, and designed to enhance consumers’ everyday lives - at home, at work or on the move.
Philips’ Consumer Electronics division is playing a key role in the realization of the Connected Planet: a vision that allows consumers to access and enjoy entertainment and information services wherever they are, whenever they want, in an intuitive, spontaneous and instant way. This offers consumers wireless access to their music, video and digital pictures, making it seamlessly accessible at any time and place, in home and on the move.
Connected Planet is more than just a concept: already, the first Connected Planet products have been launched, including broadband Internet-connected devices such as the Streamium audio and video entertainment systems, the iPronto digital home ‘dashboard’ and the DesXcape multifunctional smart display device. These products put consumers in control, and give them maximum freedom of choice in terms of content, time and place.
The Connected Planet is a natural and logical extension of the three consumer experience domains, in which Philips wants to excel. These are: Home Entertainment and Personal Expression – which are totally consumer-focused - and Productivity, which covers a broad range of both professional and consumer applications.
Cooperation with world leaders in their specific businesses enables Philips to rapidly expand its portfolio of appealing consumer products and services. For example, through a partnership with Nike, a new category of products has been developed. The companies are combining their athletic and digital technology expertise to develop innovative product solutions, specifically designed for physical activity and training.
Furthermore, Philips has formed a number of partnerships with leading telecommunications providers in Europe to help deliver the Connected Planet vision. For example, Philips and their Telecom partners developed a joint approach to consumers for offering consumers a combination of Philips products, such as wireless and broadband Internet appliances, along with the broadband service and installation offered by the Telecom operators. With the combination of seven European telco partners in total - Telefonica, KPN, British Telecom, Belgacom, France Telecom, Telecom Italia and T-Com - Philips will be able to target a growing base of over seven million consumers in some of the largest European markets with a compelling out of the box broadband entertainment experience.
One of the world's largest colour television manufacturers and recognized for its expertise in technological innovation, Philips is a leader in the development and market introduction of the widescreen television format and FlatTV™, including the new Pixel Plus 2™ and Ambilight™ Flat TV’s; optical disc products including DVD recorders and Super Audio CD players; and digital television systems and set-top boxes. Philips is among the leading suppliers of DVD players in the world, and a leader in the PC monitors market, increasingly in flat LCD displays for both business and consumer application. In other PC peripherals, Philips offers professional and consumer products, including DVD+RW data drives and PC cameras. Philips also incorporates activities in the area of personal communication solutions including cellular and DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) phones. Building on its successful heritage in portable digital technologies, Philips also markets an attractive range of audio and ‘infotainment’ products and accessories aimed at the lifestyle of younger consumers.
