Global tech industry uneven as sales of mobile devices surge

Lenovo introduces their new tablet/laptop Thinkpad Helix during the opening event ''CES Unveiled'' during the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Mandalay Bay Hotel resort on Jan 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. -- PHOTO: AFP

This undated photo provided by Lego shows “Reptar,” a robotic snake that is one of 17 possible creations available in the new, US$350 (S$427) Lego Mindstorms EV3 platform that will have the ability to talk to iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches through Bluetooth wireless connections. Lego is scheduled to announce the kit at the International Consumer Electronics Show, on Monday, Jan 7, 2013, in Las Vegas. -- PHOTO: AP

Nicolas Halftermeyer of Parrot displays the Flower Power plant monitor during a press event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the 2013 International CES on Jan 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The monitor will sense the plant's enviroment and relay the information to the user's smartphone. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs from Jan 8-11 and is expected to feature 3,100 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. -- PHOTO: AFP

A MyLink menu is displayed inside a Chevorlet Spark electric car during a press event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the 2013 International CES on Jan 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs from Jan 8-11 and is expected to feature 3,100 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. -- PHOTO: AFP

Rohan Marley, son of late Reggae musician Bob Marley, displays the US$799 (S$975) One Foundation speaker system from the House of Marley at a press event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the 2013 International CES on Jan 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs from Jan 8-11 and is expected to feature 3,100 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. -- PHOTO: AFP

John Noonan displays a pair of Liquid Image goggles with a built in camera at a press event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the 2013 International CES on Jan 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The goggles which have built-in WiFi are currently available on the market and have a retail price of US$399 (S$487). CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs from Jan 8-11 and is expected to feature 3,100 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. -- PHOTO: AFP

An Eversense electronic thermostat by Allure Energy is on display at a press event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the 2013 International CES on Jan 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The electronic energy management system allows a user to control the a home environment using a smartphone. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs from Jan 8-11 and is expected to feature 3,100 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. -- PHOTO: AFP

Diego Romeu of 3M Touch Systems uses an 84 inch touch table during a press event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the 2013 International CES on Jan 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs from Jan 8-11 and is expected to feature 3,100 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. -- PHOTO: AFP

A Body Media arm band is on display during a press event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the 2013 International CES on Jan 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The arm band is designed to record your physical activities and will be availble this summer. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs from Jan 8-11 and is expected to feature 3,100 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. -- PHOTO: AFP

Thierry Dechatre of Avenir Telecom shows BeWii bluetooth operated heliccopter by iPhone during the opening event ''CES Unveiled'' during the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Mandalay Bay Hotel resort on Jan 06, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. -- PHOTO: AFP

An iSpO2 pulse oximeter is on display at a press event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the 2013 International CES on Jan 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The US$249 (S$303) personal health monitor attaches to the user's mobile device that can record, save and transmit vital statistics. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs from Jan 8-11 and is expected to feature 3,100 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. -- PHOTO: AFP

A HAPIfork is on display at a press event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the 2013 International CES on Jan 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The electronic fork which will monitor your eating habits will be available in the summer for USD 100. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs from Jan 8-11 and is expected to feature 3,100 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. -- PHOTO: AFP

Sphero robot ball operated by iPad is shown during the opening event ''CES Unveiled'' during the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Mandalay Bay Hotel resort on Jan 06, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. -- PHOTO: AFP

Matt Pacyga of Canopy shows Sensus touch sensitive case for iPhone during the opening event ''CES Unveiled'' during the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Mandalay Bay Hotel resort on Jan 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. -- PHOTO: AFP

Nitza Martinez shows off an 84-inch Ultra HD LED television by LG Electronics at the opening press event of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas Jan 6, 2013. The retail price for the television is US$19,999.99. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

French Parrot introduces their automatic 4-rotor flying drones during the opening event ''CES Unveiled'' during the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Mandalay Bay Hotel resort on Jan 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. -- PHOTO: AFP

A Tim Tebow (L) and Usain Bolt-themed Soul SL300 noise cancelling headphones displayed at the opening press event of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas January 6, 2013. The headphones retail for US$299.00. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A GoalZero solar powered Yeti 150 is displayed at the opening press event of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas Jan 6, 2013. A utility class Yeti1250 solar generator kit is also available. The smaller unit is US$199.00. The larger unit is in stores now and runs about $2,000.00 with solar panels. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

An EGO video camera is displayed at the opening press event of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas January 6, 2013. The Wi-Fi enabled camera mountable Full HD camera has live view features through a smart device. The camera retails for $179.00. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A pair of Matrix Qube pocket speakers from Matrix Audio are on display at a press event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the 2013 International CES on Jan 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The pocket size speakers sell for US$50 each and are currently available. -- PHOTO: David Becker/Getty Images/AFP

A woman links her iPhone to the MyLink system in a Chevrolet Spark at the opening press event of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas Jan 6, 2013. In addition to being able to run a variety of Apps, the system can also add incorporate Siri, which is a first for an automaker, a representative said. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A woman demonstrates the Nectar mobile power source at the opening press event of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas Jan 6, 2013. The device announced on Sunday at CES, will charge and power a mobile device for up to two weeks. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

The keyfob emulator screen for the Delphi Connected Car app is seen at the opening press event of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas Jan 6, 2013. The app, together with a Verizon device (right) announced on Sunday at CES plugs into a cars OBD II port and connects to the cellular data network allowing remote viewing of where the car is, how fast it's going and remote start and unlock capability. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A 12-button Gila GX Gaming Series mouse by Genius is displayed at the opening press event of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas Jan 6, 2013. The extremely precise mouse can record up to 72 macro keys per button, a representative said. The mouse retails for US$99.00. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A Netatmo urban weather station is displayed at the opening press event of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas Jan 6, 2013. The personal indoor and outdoor weather station monitors a variety of conditions and sends the information to your wireless device. The US$179 system is available online and is expected in retail stores in a few months. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Shauna Cyr wears a pair of US$299 Soul SL300 noise-cancelling headphones at a press event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the 2013 International CES on Jan 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs from Jan 8-11 and is expected to feature 3,100 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. -- PHOTO: David Becker/Getty Images/AFP

Brushbuddies displays talking singing and popping-up tooth brushes during the opening event ''CES Unveiled'' during the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Mandalay Bay Hotel resort on Jan 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. -- PHOTO: AFP