ConsumerIT - For Europe's High Volume PC Retailers, Distributors & Builders

Logitech enters the smartphone/tablet as universal remote arena with the Logitech Harmony Link-- a wifi-enabed IR device and app combination working with both Android and iOS devices.

One connects the hockey puck-sized Harmony Link to the TV before installing the app on their devices-- without the need for attaching any dongles to smartphones or tablets.

Users can use iPads with the app as a full entertainment control system (complete with personalised program guides) while smartphones get universal remote functionality.

Receiving wifi signals and turning them into IR commands the Harmony Link controls up to x8 devices, using technology from the Harmony universal remote series.

Logitech also includes an IR mini-blaster accessory, allowing control of entertainment devices inside a closed cabinet.

Go Logitech Harmony Link

Kesa Electricals fails to find a buyer for the troubled Comet chain, The Telegraph reports-- meaning Kesa will continue "to examine other strategic alternatives" while trying to implement turnaround plans.

Turnaround specialists showing interest in Comet include investment firm OpCapita and Hilco UK.

Derailing the sales process is the "dowry" for potential buyers, large pension liabilities and credit insurers possibly changing terms-- not to mention Comet's current state.

Comet losses for the 1st May - 31st July period (according to the Kesa Q1 2011 interim management statement) total to -22.1% Y-o-Y.

Comet is going through store reformatting-- with better-selling, higher margin CE products (including tablets, headphones and laptops) getting more space than currently poor-selling white goods (especially fridges and microwaves).

The Kesa Group in general sees losses throughout the period-- with Y-o-Y losses totalling -9.9%-- as white good and CE sales fail to make up for declining TV sales throughout Europe.

Sources tell The Telegraph a Comet sale might be "still possible", bu not until Christmas, the deadline Kesa set. Until then, the Comet turnaround plan will soldier on.

Go Kesa Puts Comet Sell-Off on Hold as Sales Crash

Go Kesa Q1 2011 Interim Management Statement

IDC raises its 2011 WW tablet shipment forecast from 53.5M units to 62.5M, due to strong Q2 2011 performance and improving outlooks for H2 2011.

The increase in projections follows Q2 2011 totals-- 13.6M units, with 373.8% Y-o-Y growth (and 88.9% sequential growth), according to IDC.

Apple remains tablet market king, with iPad 2 shipments reaching 9.3M units and iOS tablets in general taking over 68.3% market share (up from 65.7% in Q1 2011).

Tablet market newcomer RIM has 4.9% of the Q2 2011 tablet market (with the Playbook) while Android tablet market share drops from 36% in Q1 2011 to 26.8%.

IDC expects Android market share to drop further in Q3 2011 (to 26%) before gaining a growth spurt in Q4 (increasing to 25.9%)

WebOS should have 4.7% of the market in Q3 2011, thanks to cheap Touchpad sales-- market share to drop down to zero by Q1 2012 unless HP either licenses or sells the abandoned OS.

EReaders grow by 167% Y-o-Y in Q2 2011 (but drop by -9% from Q1), with units totalling 5.4M. IDC predicts 2012 eReader totals will reach 27M-- up from previous projections of 16.2M.

Amazon leads the eReader market with 51.7% market share, witih Barnes and Noble following with 21.2%.

Go IDC Quarterly Tablet and eReader Tracker

Will Ultrabooks take the market by storm? Trendforce believes so, predicting Ultrabooks will take at least 10% of the notebook market by 2012 while stimulating the industry in general.

Trendforce says Ultrabooks "will hopefully sweep away the clouds of tablet PC popularity" as they grow further-- from 2% market share in 2011 to around 40% by 2015.

Ultrabooks will also drive further technology improvement from the component industry, resulting in growth for SSD, low power RAM, battery, LED backlight and LCD panel makers.

However Ultrabook makers won't have it easy at first-- due to initially high component costs, competition against the Apple Macbook Air will be tough in terms of both specifications and price (even if the higher ultrabook price points should help increase notebook industry revenues).

Go Ultrabooks to Stimulate Key Component Technology Growth (Trendforce)