PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news

VNU Business Media Europe, the parent company of both the Channel Expo trade show and trade mag CRN, has been bought by 3i – a private equity company, but insiders claim it’s business as usual.

New products, deals and incentives mean Christmas is already forgotten as distributors hit the ground running in the New Year.

Microsoft is set to announce its plans to integrate new Windows Automotive software into Ford vehicles.

Distributor VIP is hoping to repeat the success of its 2006 prize giveaway calendar with a new version for 2007.

While many were waiting for Apple to announce the iPhone in January, Cisco has beaten the firm to it.

Chip giant AMD has begun the process of renaming ATI products under its own brand.

Microsoft is set to make Office Communications Server 2007 available for beta testing ahead of its release next year.

VNU exhibitions, the organiser of Channel Expo, has invited PC Retail readers to submit their suggestions for ways in which the UK's premier technology trade show can be improved.

Digital memory outfit Catalus is offering PC Retail readers the opportunity to win a TomTom One satnav unit, with additional Kingston memory, if they can answer one simple question.

Following the recent acquisition of ATI, AMD saw its GPU division fall in all segments during Q3, leaving rival Nvidia to gain market share. 

The Christmas rush appeared to have started this weekend, spearheaded by a special retail event across London's West End, while the technology sector "remains pretty buoyant".

Online PC giant Dell has suggested it may open retail shops in Britain, breaking from its 22-year custom of only selling over the phone and via the internet.