The global tech industry has become a tale of two sectors, with mobile devices surging at the expense of older electronics that are struggling, according to a new forecast.
A survey presented ahead of the International Consumer Electronics Show, the biggest trade show of its kind, projects modest growth of four per cent for the industry expected to generate 2013 sales of $1.1 trillion.
But half of the revenues will come from mobile connected devices -- smartphones, tablets and mobile computers, according to the forecast by the Consumer Electronics Association and GfK Research.
The industry has been buffeted by the huge shift to mobile, but also by sluggish global economic conditions, especially in recession-hit Western Europe.
The report said 2012 sales, which a year ago were expected to rise five per cent, ended up falling one per cent, dragged down by weakness in Europe.
Western Europe is expected to contract again in 2013, while North America will see tepid growth, and the chief drivers of tech growth will be from big emerging markets like China, the forecast said.
Steve Bambridge of GfK said that with many big economies in recession it will be hard to rev up tech sales.