PCs predicted to surge as prices lower
Apparently people are still buying a lot of PCs.
Sales of "old fashioned" computers are rebounding dramatically in big markets like the U.S., Japan and Western Europe, according to a new forecast from research giant IDC. It's expecting PC sales in mature markets to increase 5.6 percent this year, the best showing since 2010 -- the year the iPad debuted.
It's a different story in developing countries, where PC sales are expected to fall 10.4 percent this year, bringing overall worldwide sales down 3.7 percent. That's not quite a rebound, but better than the 6 percent drop the Framingham, Mass.-based firm previously forecast.
"Programs to reduce PC prices, such as Windows 8.1 with Bing, have helped to improve PC shipments in some segments," Jay Chou, IDC senior research analyst, said in a release.
"Coupled with a shift toward more mobile PCs, the market has seen a quickened pace of innovation and a focus on price points," Chou said. "Nevertheless, the prospects for significant PC growth in the long term remain tenuous, as users increasingly see PCs as only one of several computing devices."
Meanwhile, "direct competition from tablets seems to be waning," IDC Vice President Loren Loverde said in the release. He said PC demand could get a boost next year from the upcoming version of Microsoft's Windows 9 Threshold.
-- The Seattle Times
Tesla to build 400 charge spots in China
BEIJING -- Tesla Motors Co. and a state-owned Chinese phone carrier announced plans Friday to build 400 charging stations for electric cars in a new bid to promote popular adoption of the technology in China.
Plans call for China Unicom Ltd. to provide space for construction and basic services in 120 cities while Tesla, based in Palo Alto, Calif., operates the stations. The two companies also will build 20 "supercharger stations" in 20 cities to offer high-speed charging.
Promoters of electric cars see China as a promising market due to Beijing's support for the technology and eagerness to reduce smog. But the lack of charging infrastructure in this vast country is seen as a major hurdle to winning general acceptance.
Tesla delivered its first U.S.-manufactured electric sedans to Chinese customers in April, and CEO Elon Musk said then that the company planned to invest several hundred million dollars to build a charging network in China.
Prior to Friday's announcement, Tesla had 200 charging points in China.
"This cooperation will accelerate the Tesla charging network nationwide," said a company spokesman, Peggy Yang, in an email.
Another automaker, Germany's BMW AG, announced plans in May to set up 50 charging stations in partnership with State Grid, China's biggest state-owned utility, and a real-estate developer.
Chinese leaders want to develop an electric car industry and called in 2009 for annual sales of 500,000 electric cars by 2015 but have scaled back those plans. The country has about 78,000 electric vehicles on the road, mostly public buses and taxis.
Industry growth has been slow partly because of rules that limit market access unless foreign manufacturers share technology with Chinese partners that might become rivals.
In July, the government announced buyers of electric cars will be exempt from a 10 percent sales tax on automobiles.
-- The Associated Press
Apple plans unveiling for new gadgets
SAN FRANCISCO -- Apple is planning a Sept. 9 event, where the company is said to be preparing to debut new iPhones and a wearable device.
The unveiling will be held at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts near Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, Calif., the company said in an emailed invitation Thursday.
Apple is set to introduce two new iPhone models: one with a 4.7-inch screen and another with a 5.5-inch display, as well as a new wearable device, which would be the company's first new product category since the iPad debuted in 2010, according to people familiar with the plans.
Apple's planned product introduction on the second Tuesday in September is in keeping with a strategy of releasing new iPhone models in that month, kicking off a broader reboot of its lineup in time for the holiday shopping season. Last year's iPhone 5s and 5c also debuted the second Tuesday of September.
Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook, under scrutiny to show the company can produce groundbreaking products without Steve Jobs at the helm, fueled consumers' and investors' anticipation by hinting throughout the year that there are new products in store. Eddy Cue, Apple's executive in charge of iTunes and the App Store, has said the company has its best product pipeline in 25 years.
-- Bloomberg News