EGHAM, UK -- Worldwide sales of smartphones to end users totaled 968 million units in 2013, an increase of 42.3% from 2012, according to Gartner. Sales of smartphones accounted for 53.6% of overall mobile phone sales in 2013, and exceeded annual sales of feature phones for the first time.

PUNIA, MANIEMA, DRC -- A 9.5 kg bag of cassiterite, dug from the ground by a local miner here Saturday and tagged by a government representative, made the Punia mine the latest in a growing number of sites indoctrinated in the iTSCi conflict-free mineral traceability and due diligence program.

MULINO, OR -- Sunstone Circuits today launched a new corporate website aimed at easing the path from printed circuit board design to fabrication. The new site integrates design and ordering tools, and easier navigation, the company said.

CAMBRIDGE, UK -- XJTAG will conduct a series of workshops on introductory and advanced JTAG techniques next month. The events will take place March 11-12 during The National Electronics Week exhibition at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg.