Binatone
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications, Consumer electronics |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Founder | Gulu Lalvani, Partap Lalvani |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Dino Lalvani (Chairman) |
| Products | Consumer electronics, telecommunications devices, gaming consoles, smart devices |
| Owner | Lalvani family |
| Website | www |
Binatone is a telecommunications firm with British and Chinese roots, established in the United Kingdom in 1958 by siblings Gulu Lalvani and Partap Lalvani. Initially focused on importing and distributing consumer electronics, the company derives its name from their sister, Bina. Binatone designs products under its own label and also holds licensing rights for the AEG and Motorola brands.
History
During the period from 1976 to 1979, Binatone developed the "Binatone TV Master" line of first generation video game consoles. In 1983, it became the pioneer European enterprise to retail fixed-line consumer telecommunications devices through electronics stores, signaling a transition from audio-visual merchandise to telecom products.
In 2008, Dino Lalvani, son of Gulu Lalvani, took ownership of Binatone and was appointed chairman. The company served as the official shirt sponsor for Queens Park Rangers Football Club between 2003 and 2006.
The year 2013 saw Binatone introduce ReadMe Mobile, an Android-based tablet and eReader featuring a physical keypad and an anti-glare display designed to improve the experience of reading electronic books.
At CES 2021 in January 2021, Binatone unveiled MaskFone, a hybrid product combining an N95 face mask with a Bluetooth headset, showcasing its commitment to innovation in wireless connected technology.
Consoles
One of Binatone's initial gaming devices was the TV Game unit, which was succeeded by the TV Master series of monochrome pong consoles (first generation):
- TV Master MK IV
- TV Master 4 plus 2
- TV Master MK 6
- TV Master MK 8
- TV Master MK 10
The Colour TV series provided the same games with color graphics:
- Colour TV Game
- Colour TV Game 4 plus 2
- Colour TV Game MK 6
- Colour TV Game MK 10
Related brands
Through a licensing partnership with Motorola Mobility, Binatone offers a variety of products such as baby monitors, pet monitors, telephones, headphones, and automotive accessories under the Motorola brand.
Additionally, Binatone manages Hubble Connected, a platform dedicated to smart devices. In 2014, it acquired the Bengaluru-based startup Connovate, which was integrated into Hubble’s operations. By 2016, Dino Lalvani announced intentions to divest a 20% share in Hubble while shifting corporate headquarters from the United States to Bengaluru, India.