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.

BANGKOK -- Top 30 electronics manufacturing services provider Fabrinet reported fiscal first-quarter 2013 net income rose 1.9% year-over-year to $16 million.

EL SEGUNDO – The Surface RT model with min 32 GB of NAND flash memory and an optional black Touch Cover carries a bill of materials of $271, according to a preliminary estimate from IHS iSuppli. When the $13 manufacturing expense is added, the total cost to manufacture the Surface rises to $284.

TEMPE, AZ -- Quik Tek Assembly is considering opening a second plant in Arizona, the company owner says.

SHENZHEN -- Nam Tai Electronics today reported third quarter net income rose 2,142% year-over-year to $24.6 million on a 198% jump in revenue.

DOWNERS GROVE, IL -- Dover intends to divest its electronics assembly and test equipment businesses, citing a need to focus on higher growth markets.

SON, THE NETHERLANDS -- Neways said third-quarter sales were essentially flat year-over-year but that a fourth quarter decline is likely.

MILWAUKIE, OR – Thermal profiling OEM ECD is seeking the oldest M.O.L.E. thermal profiler still in use, and is making a contest of its search.

HELSINKI – PKC Group reported net sales for the September quarter were EUR 227.4 million, up 123% year-over-year.

TOKYO -- In the wake of gut-wrenching financial losses, Panasonic will cut its consumer electronics groups and reconsider several other business units, the company's president said.

BALVE, GERMANY – The Balver Zinn Group has acquired a global license for the SN100C alloy developed by Nihon Superior.

LONDON -- Cookson Group will spin off its solder materials and electroplating chemistry business units into a new company called Alent, the materials giant said today.