[originaltext] (1)Falling global demand for personal computers (PC) saw ship

(1)Falling global demand for personal computers (PC) saw shipments fall by a record 10, 6% in the fourth quarter from a year ago, according to market research firm IDC. About 71. 9 million units were shipped in the period, which includes the key Christmas shopping season. IDC said the decline was the worst since it started tracking PC shipments. (2)PC demand has been hit by competition from smartphones and tablets, along with longer lifecycles for PCs. (1)Shipments fell in all regions around the world and have declined for five quarters in a row, according to IDC’s figures.
   Rival research firm Gartner also said shipments were down. Using different methodology, it saw a fall of 8.3% in the fourth quarter from a year ago. (2)Other factors that contributed to the decline in shipments included economic issues such as falling commodity prices, weaker currencies, as well as social tensions in the Middle East.
1. What has happened in the PC market recently according to IDC?
2. What factor is contributing to the current situation?