Electronic contract manufacturer revenues to fall in 2012?

The UK's TechEye.net is on board with a prediction that electronics contract manufacturers such as Foxconn "are in for a tough year, with revenues decreasing due to global economic uncertainty and increasing wage demands." The main reason for this? Lingering problems and lack of solutions to the problem of the eurozone financial crisis, and the growth-halting effect it has had on already tenous global economic stability. And, according to IHS analysts cited by TechEye, there's not much that can be done by contract manufacturers to forestall the negative outcome, other than to hope that price increases, and gains in Asia, can continue to help keep profits up through the looming lean period.

Link: Electronic contract manufacturer revenues decline in 2012 (news.techeye.net)

Motley Fool hints of 'blowout' quarter for Apple

Earnings figures are starting to come in for Apple's supply chain companies, and the numbers so far indicate that Apple is about to rebound heavily by posting a "blowout quarter," as reported by the financial industry investment mavens at The Motley Fool. Meanwhile, while you weren't looking, the world's largest technology company has been busy re-inventing both the textbook, AND what to do when your homework's all done.

Top 10 connector electronics innovations defined

Bishop and Associates' John MacWilliams recently outlined the longtime interconnect industry analyst firm's "top 10 recent innovations in the electronics and connectors industries." According to MacWilliams, the most visible recent industry developments have occurred in "triple C" markets of Consumer, Computer, and Communications, fueled by numerous "game changing" developments, modifications, and suddenly essential new devices in several categories. End-use hardware devices mentioned in the list include those for WiFi, GPS, iPhone/iPad type designs, HDTV, IC advances, environmental electronics, alternative energy products, military drones, and expanded Ethernet technologies.

The entire list, a must-view for connector industry observes to be sure, can be found here.