On CE - For Dealers, Distributors and OEMs of Consumer Electronics throughout EMEA

Global smart connected device (the combination of PCs, tablets and smartphones) shipments grow by 27.1% Y-o-Y during Q3 2012, with shipments reaching a record of 303.6 million units worth $140.4 billion, IDC reports.

The analyst has further positive forecasts for the segment-- Q4 2012 shipments will grow by 26.5% Y-o-Y (or 19.2% Q-o-Q) to 362m units as demand for tablets and smartphones fuels sales during the holidays.

According to the analyst Q4 2012 tablet Y-o-Y growth will reach 55.8%, while smartphone growth should total 39.5%. On the other hand PCs should "decline slightly" on a Y-o-Y basis.

When it comes to vendors, Samsung and Apple continue to dominate the global market, taking over 21.8% and 15.1% share respectively. Lenovo (7%), HP (4.6%) and Sony (3.6%) follow.

IDC expects the global smart connected device to "continue to surge" in the future-- shipments should reach over 2.1 billion units by 2016 with a market value of $796.7bn.

The analyst describes the 2012-2016 period as a "multi-device era," even as the market continues to shift away from PC towards mobile devices. However the cloud eases the purchase and usage of different devices for different situations.

Go WW Smart Connected Device Market Grew 27.1% in Q3 (IDC)

Bloomberg reports an odd-sounding partnership is about to take place-- Apple and Google are teaming up to buy Kodak's patents out of bankruptcy.

"People familiar with the situation" say the two companies offer over $500 million for the 1100-strong patent portfolio. Apparently the two smartphone competitors had already led two separate groups to buy at least some patents, before decided to go all out... and join forces.

The patents cover the capture, manipulation and sharing of digital images.

According to Bloomberg sources the Apple-led group included Microsoft and Intellectual Ventures Management, while Google counted "a number" of Asian Android smartphone makers and patent aggregation company RPX Corp in its ranks. Separately, the two groups offered less than $500m for the precious Kodak patents.

Now the two groups realise unity makes strength, if of a financial variety.

Kodak depends on earning a healthy sum of cash for the patents if it wants to exit bankruptcy, something it plans to do by H1 2013. According to patent advisory 284 Partners the Kodak patents might be worth anything from $2.21 to $2.57 billion.

Unusual partnerships are not rare in the world of patent purchases. Back in 2011 Apple, Microsoft and RIM teamed up to purchase over 6000 patents (worth $4.5bn) from a bankrupt Nortel. Such team ups not only reduce costs, but also help eliminate potential infringement litigation.

Go Apple-Google Team Up for $500 Million-Plus Kodak Patents Bid

Barnes & Noble expands licensing partnerships and launches the Nook Video service for Nook HD and HD+ tablets in the UK-- the first video-on-demand (VOD) service in the UK offering UltraViolet titles in the region.

UltraViolet capability makes it easier for customers to integrated compatible physical media and digital purchases across devices. Users can also link UltraViolet andn Nook Cloud accounts, allowing for viewing of purchases through both Nook tablets and other devices through soon-to-launch Nook Video apps.

Content partners for the venture include the BBC, HBO, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, STARZ, and Warner Bros, with other studios to join in the future.

Go Nook Video Offering Debuts in the UK

Silicon Image reveals what it claims is the first single-chip, ultra-low power 60HGz WirelessHD solution for mobile devices-- the UltraGig 6400 transmitter.

Unlike wifi-based options (such as AirPlay, DLNA or Miracast), the UltraGig 6400 should allow wireless 1080p video transmission with 5ms latency, combining 64GHz RF transceiver, baseband processor and embedded antenna array in a single IC package.

The company says the transmitter consumes around 500mW of power (with a 9m line-of-sight range). It not yet in mass production, but is in sampling to mobile device makers.

According to ABI Research 60GHz technology is set to hit the mass market in the near future, particularly as more mobile devices start embracing the technology.

Go Silicon Image Introduces UltraGig 6400 Transmitter

Go ABI: 60GHz to Hit Mass Market