BARCELONA — The consumerization trend has hit IT as an unstoppable force, as 821 million smart devices (smartphones and tablets) will be purchased worldwide in 2012 and pass the billion mark in 2013, according to Gartner.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – North American printed circuit board shipments in September were down 6.7%, and orders decreased 3.3% compared to September 2011, says IPC.

ELMHURST, IL – The global PCB design software market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2011 to 2015, says TechNavio.

SANTA CLARA, CA — Flat panel display manufacturing equipment spending fell 69% in 2012 to $3.8 billion— making 2012 the weakest year in history for FPD equipment makers.