NPD today released a report examining U.S. consumer technology sales for 2012. Among other things, the company said consumer technology sales have dropped by $4 billion since 2010, down to $143 billion. Additionally, three of the top five categories based on 2012 revenue experienced declines from 2011 to 2012 -- the two categories that grew were smartphones and tablets, both of which are product lines that Apple currently dominates. “While CE remains a dynamic industry the fact is that the stellar growth of the past few years has made growth today more difficult,” [said Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis at NPD.]. “Most market segments have high penetratio
