CAMBRIDGE, MA – The touch screen market is expected to reach $14 billion in 2012, says IDTechEx.

The biggest application for touch screens in general, and projected capacitive screens in particular, is mobile phones and then tablets.

The biggest market opportunity in terms of shipped units is for mobile phones. IDTechEx projects touch penetration in mobile phones to reach over 40% in 2012 and to rise to almost total coverage in the next decade. Shipment of tablets with touch screen technology is expected to reach 100 million units this year.

Today, the biggest market for projected capacitive touch screens is in mobile and smartphones, but tablets are right behind and quickly gaining momentum, says the firm. Analog resistive technology is widely used in small size (> 10 in.) healthcare and hospitality applications, as well as high-volume retail environments. Embedded touch technology is currently the leading emerging touch technology, and on-cell technology in particular has the biggest potential for small size consumer electronics, but is also suitable for medium-size applications.

Other touch technologies mainly relevant for specialized touch devices, such as ATMs, banking and financial applications, but also eBooks and mobile phones to some extent, are traditional infrared and surface acoustic wave technologies.

Apart from adding touch functionality to more commercial consumer devices, the next big opportunity will be the replacement of indium tin oxide, especially in projected capacitive and resistive touch technologies, says IDTechEx.

Today, half the costs of projected capacitive touch screen modules come from the ITO sensor. The replacement of this widely used ITO sensor electrode material will not only change the game entirely in terms of costs, but also open the gate to bendable, rollable and stretchable electronics with touch functionality, says the firm.

The touch screen market is expected to triple in the next decade. The next big markets for touch screens are eBooks, (mobile) game consoles, car displays and navigation devices, as well as digital cameras for small to medium-size displays. Bigger touch screens over 10 in. can be increasingly found in laptops and PC monitors, as well as other screens and TVs.

In ten years from now, projected capacitive touch technology will continue to lead the market as panel costs are decreasing. Due to extremely low cost, resistive touch technology will continue to lead the market in price-sensitive applications that need precise touch. The rise of embedded touch technology, currently the leading emerging touch technology, will be conditioned by more and more LCD manufacturers entering the field.

SHENZHEN -- Electronics ODM Shenzhen MTC reported its 2011 net profit rose 19% year-over-year to $64.7 million on healthy demand for TVs and set-top boxes.

BANNOCKBURN, IL — IPC last month released its latest technoloy roadmap, the biennial guide to interconnect technological trends.

The 2011 roadmap incorporates data and comparisons to help users serve clients and/or guide their companies in identifying, selecting and developing the right technology alternatives to create the products needed for future markets.

The roadmap includes expanded regional analysis and comparison. In both the substrate and assembly sections, it provides insight into the regional differences in capability between Asia, Europe and North America.

Another addition is the link of emulators to industry standards and specifications. A new section discusses the changes that need to occur in industry standards content to make them relevant to tomorrow’s needs. This includes the addition of a state-of-the-art level for product features that demand a higher degree of precision.

In areas where changes occur quickly, such as the environment, health and safety, regulations and global stewardship, the roadmap has been updated to reflect the current state and future issues.

For more information, visit www.ipc.org/roadmap.

EL SEGUNDO, CA – Despite rising 3.4% and hitting an 11-year high in the fourth quarter of 2012, average semiconductor days of inventory held by chip suppliers are expected to decline 0.5% in the first quarter, providing some hope that market conditions are improving, says IHS iSuppli.

OSAKA, JAPAN – Electronics manufacturing services firm SIIX Corp. posted 2011 net sales of 167.8 billion yen, up 0.8% year-over-year.

SHENZHEN -- Optical network OEM Oclaro has signed a definitive agreement to transfer its final assembly and test operations here to top 10 EMS provider Venture Corp.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Contract electronics firm Jabil Circuit reported fiscal second-quarter earnings up 76%, according to reports. Profit was $97.7 million.

PASADENA, CA – The Cassini plasma spectrometer instrument aboard NASA's Cassini spacecraft at Saturn has resumed operations.

FRAMINGHAM, MA – While the first half of 2012 is expected to see only modest shipment growth, the launch of Windows 8 and the excitement generated by ultrabooks and other ultra-thin notebooks should drive second half sales in a much stronger way, according to International Data Corp.

ORLANDO – API Technologies has completed its acquisition of RTI Electronics for $2.3 million in cash.

Based in Anaheim, CA, RTI manufactures passive electronic components, including thermistors, film capacitors, magnetic transformers and inductors, and audio power conditioning units.

RTI had revenues in 2011 of approximately $4 million.

With the move, API continues to broaden its scope, which primarily involves the design, development and manufacturing of electronic systems, subsystems, RF and secure solutions for defense, aerospace and commercial applications.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – IPC has revised its Assembly and Joining Handbook, updating the age-old tome on of electronics assembly and soldering techniques.

ATLANTA -- EMS marketing and management expert Susan Mucha will moderate a chat on EMS program management and strategies for growing accounts next week, UP Media Group announced today.