STAMFORD, CT – A leading research firm this week laid down the Top 10 technologies to watch, use, buy, order and manufacture for 2012.

FRANKFURT – German PCB manufacturers reported July revenue rose 0.8% year-over-year.

For the month, new orders were 2.7% below the long-term average; however, it was also the fourth-best mark in the last decade, says ZVEI PCB and Electronic Systems. The July book-to-bill ratio was 1.06, meaning 106 euros worth of orders were received for every 100 euros worth of printed circuit boards shipped.

Year to date through July, the country’s PCB industry revenue went up 15.5% compared to the same period last year. New employee hires are up 7.3% year-over-year, says ZVEI.

TAIPEI – Third-quarter global tablet PC shipments hit 18.7 million units, up 27.5% sequentially, compared to sequential growth of 60.9% in the second quarter, says Digitimes Research.

As a result of a weak global economy, Apple's iPad shipments did not meet third-quarter expectations with 13 million units, up 36.8% sequentially.

Most non-iPad tablet PCs endured high inventory issues during the period, according to Digitimes Research. Also, many launches of new tablet PC products have been postponed. Shipments of non-iPad tablet PCs only grew 10.1% sequentially.

For tablet PC CPUs, Nvidia was the No. 2 supplier in terms of shipments, while Texas Instruments fell to No. 4. Inventec is now the No. 2 ODM, with Quanta Computer falling to No. 5.

BANGKOK -- So called "50-year floods" have forced the closure of seven industrial parks (estates) in Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani provinces bordering Bangkok. Approximately 375 citizens have died and 650,000 people have been temporarily displaced from work. Concerns remain pending the high tides expected next week.