Research company IDC today released a forecast that predicted over 60 percent of smart device shipments in developing markets will be delivered to countries part of the 'BRIC' — Brazil, Russia, India, and China.

Together, the BRIC countries are expected to generate shipments of 662 million units valued at over US$206 billion.

Meanwhile, more than 650 million units are forecast to be shipped to developed markets according to IDC, with the US, UK and Japan set to receive over 400 million units valued at US$204 billion.

"With the BRIC countries expected to surpass the total shipments to developed markets by 2014, it is clear that demand for smart connected devices is quickly shifting from developed to emerging markets," IDC said today.

Growth in the smart device category will be driven by demand for smartphones and tablets in emerging and developed markets, IDC said.

Smartphones and tablets will make up 1.4 billion of the 1.7 billion total units expected to ship next year, while PC shipments will only reach 300 million units.

The price of devices go down as global smartphone and tablet shipments rise, IDC said in a statement.

The average selling price (ASP) of tablets dropped 19% in 2012 to US$426, down from US$525 in 2011.

"This pattern of decreasing price points is most prominent in emerging countries where IDC expects sub-$300 smartphones and sub-$350 tablets to drive huge shipments in 2014 and beyond," IDC said.

Meanwhile the Pew Research Center today said that for the first time ever, one third of American adults now own tablet computers, including iPads, Galaxy Tabs and Kindle Fires.

In one year, the number of people 18 or older who owns a tablet has almost doubled, from 18% in 2012 to 34 % in 2013.