STAMFORD, CT -- Global shipments of devices (PCs, tablets, ultramobiles and mobile phones) are projected to reach 2.5 billion units in 2014, a 7.6% increase from 2013, according to Gartner. By operating system, Android is on pace to surpass one billion users across all devices in 2014. By 2017, over 75% of Android's volumes will come from emerging markets.

STAMFORD, CT -- Worldwide IT spending is expected to grow 3.1% to $3.8 trillion in 2014, up from 0.4% in 2013. Demand for devices and data center systems will grow 4.3% and 2.6% respectively, both well over 2013 spending, research firm Gartner said.

SUWANEE, GA -- Hisense plans to open an assembly plant in the US, the flat panel TV maker announced at the Consumer Electronics Show this week.

SANTA CLARA, CA – Agilent Technologies today announced that its electronics measurement business unit would be known as Keysight Technologies when it is spun off in November.

NOGALES, MEXICO – Electronics manufacturer PKC Group is closing its factory here and transfering production to an existing facility in Torreon, Mexico.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – IPC’s hand soldering competition will occur at National Electronics Week 2014 here in April.

HONG KONG -- Global tablet shipments will reach 289 million units in 2014, up from about 240 million last year, new research predicts.

WASHINGTON — Worldwide sales of semiconductors rose 6.8% year-over-year to $27.24 billion in November, the ninth straight month of higher sales. The revenues are based on a three-month moving average.

HOUSTON — STI Electronics has opened an IPC-approved training center here, the company's second in the US. The new center will conduct hands-on classes in basic soldering, J-STD-001 certification, rework and repair, and other IPC quality assurance programs such as IPC-A-610 and IPC/WHMA-A-620.

SHANGHAI -- It looks like businesses in China will ring in the new year with at least one carryover from 2013: wage inflation. Worker pay is expected to see double-digit growth in 2014, continuing a decade-long streak that has begun to hamper China's rate of growth and lead some companies to relocate projects to other countries.

EL SEGUNDO, CA -- Following a 2.5% decline in 2012, the global semiconductor market has regained its footing in 2013 with revenue set to expand by nearly 5% because of the strong performance of the memory sector. Global semiconductor sales in 2013 will amount to $317.9 billion, up 4.9% from $302.9 billion in 2012, according to preliminary estimates from research firm IHS.

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY -- Several IBM inventors have filed a patent application for an adapter for plated through-hole mounting of surface mount components. The disclosure relates to printed circuit board assembly techniques, and more particularly, to the attachment of temperature sensitive components designed for surface mounting.