Report: Manufacturers shifting efforts toward mobile devices

A new report from market analysis firm IHS iSuppli reveals that original equipment manufacturers are slated to focus more on wireless technology than computers this year.

Responding to the growing demand for smartphones and tablets, the research firm says, OEMs will spend up to $55.4 billion on semiconductors for wireless devices this year. By comparison, OEMs are predicted to buy $53.1 billion worth of semiconductors for computers.

Semiconductor spending for wireless devices and traditional computers has gone back and forth in recent years. Last year, OEMs spent an estimated $52.5 billion on chips for laptops, notebooks, desktops and servers, while they spent only $50.1 billion on semiconductors for wireless machines. However, in 2008 and 2009, spending on wireless devices led the way.

Furthermore, wireless spending is expected to maintain its leading position in 2012, as PC sales slow and tablet sales continue to thrive.

A recent report from research firm Forrester further confirms the surging popularity of media tablets. According to that report, tablet sales are expected to reach 24.1 million units this year, and will grow to 44 million by 2015.