gartner research

Personal computer sales fell 1.1% in the first quarter compared to the same period in 2010, according to industry research firm Gartner, but while its report lists a few possible reasons for the decline, none are compelling, and the drop is unlikely to presage a serious decline in PC sales.

The outlook for IT spending this year is looking up. Research firm Gartner said Thursday it expects revenue to grow 5.1% from 2010, an increase from a previous forecast of 3.5% growth.

IT trends researcher Gartner cut its forecast for 2011 worldwide PC shipment growth from 18.1% to 15.9%. That's still very robust for PCs, but it's an early sign that the iPad's wild popularity is taking a toll on the rest of the computer industry.

Apple's iPhone operating system software stumbled in the third quarter, losing year-over-year quarterly market share for the first time, as Google's Android mobile operating system pulled further ahead, according to a Gartner Research report released Wednesday.

How can you tell that smartphones aren't just for tech geeks and corporate types tethered to their email anymore? When Oprah Winfrey gives Motorola Defys to her whole studio audience, and Wal-Mart says it's launching its own mobile service, you have to say the devices have gone mainstream.

Google's Android mobile operating system continues to make major inroads in the cell phone market, and will shoot from a mere 3.9% global market share in 2009 to an estimated 17.7% this year, ahead of RIMM and Apple, according to a new report from research firm Gartner.

Smartphone shipments and phones based on the Android operating system posted double-digit second-quarter gains despite a still-weak economy, according to a report released today.