MURMER GADGET

Large smartphones and cheap tablets put the PC market in a tough spot with a number of companies jumping ship (Samsung left the European market, Sony sold off the business altogether). However, analysts at both Gartner and IDC report that the PC market is finally showing signs of stability. Tablet penetration is reaching its peak and cheap computers (like Chromebooks) have helped breathe new life into the segment. It also helps that laptops are becoming increasingly tablet-like with touchscreens and hybrid designs. Gartner says it’s developed markets like North America and Western Europe that are turning around, while demand in developing markets is still declining. There tablets are a lower-cost option for those who can’t afford a PC. The uptick in computer sales was in part due to a wave of upgrades – people finally leaving their dusty Windows XP machines behind. Top 5 Vendors, United States PC Shipments, Third Quarter 2014 (Preliminary) (Shipments are in thousands of units)...

French mobile manufacturer Archos plans to throw its beret in to the Windows Phone arena. CEO Loic Poirier said the company will launch a handset on Microsoft s gradually improving platform, joining its budget offerings on Android . Nokia is currently earning a whopping 90 per cent of Windows Phone sales, with big hitters like LG, Samsung and HTC focusing all of their attentions on the Android operating system. That means a potential opportunity for manufacturers a little lower on the totem pole, like Archos, outside of the densely populated Android market. New breed rising "We will launch a Windows Phone handset when the time is right," he told TrustedReviews before explaining its primary focus would remain with Android. "Before anything else we are focussed on Google," he added. Other manufacturers like Alcatel and ZTE are also planning to jump in on Windows Phone. Could we be seeing a new breed of handset makers rising on Windows Phone? Smartphone...

Three models of the ZenFone by Asus (Asus ZenFone 4, 5 and 6), officially introduced in January, will launch on the Czech market later than expected, due to the need to meet Asian demand. Originally the entry in the Czech market was expected in May or June. However they will not enter the Czech market before the autumn now, reports Mobilnet.cz. http://www.telecompaper.com/news/asus-zenfone-launch-on-czech-market-delayed--1016948