Sun moves forward with 16-core Rock processor ... HP retains lead in worldwide PC shipments ... Microsoft to offer Vista upgrade over the Internet

HIGHLIGHTS

News: Microsoft pushes premium versions of Vista
News: Microsoft trots out online ad tools from its labs
News: Sun Rock processor project advances
News: US e-tail sales to reach $116B this year
News: Intel to invest in ClickandBuy payment service
News: HP tops Dell as PC sales continue to slow
Podcast: Today's IT news audio update
ITwhirled: No dedicated server closet? Time to improvise


NEWS UPDATES

Microsoft pushes premium versions of Vista
Microsoft Corp. wants to make sure consumers and small businesses know there are myriad ways they can acquire Windows Vista -- particularly in premium versions -- when it becomes generally available on Jan. 30.

Microsoft trots out online ad tools from its labs
At a time when it's losing ground in key areas of the online services market, Microsoft Corp. is parading several Internet advertising technologies it hopes will boost its revenue in this area.

Sun Rock processor project advances
Sun Microsystems Inc. is moving forward with plans to develop a processor with as many as 16 cores on one piece of silicon, quadruple the capacity available now.

US e-tail sales to reach $116B this year
Growth in U.S. online retail sales will slow over the next five years to an average of 11 percent, but offline sales will continue to benefit greatly from online research, according to a Jupiter Research study.

Intel to invest in ClickandBuy payment service
Intel Capital invested an undisclosed amount in Firstgate Holding AG, owner of hosted online payment system provider ClickandBuy LLC.

HP tops Dell as PC sales continue to slow
Hewlett-Packard Co. (HP) edged out Dell Inc. again for the title of world's largest PC vendor, even though the global market fell short of predictions, according to an analysis of fourth quarter PC shipments released Wednesday by IDC.


PODCAST

Sun moves forward with 16-core Rock processor ... HP retains lead in worldwide PC shipments ... Microsoft to offer Vista upgrade over the Internet ... LG Electronics unveils iPhone lookalike
Daily IT News Audio Update


ITWHIRLED

No dedicated server closet? Time to improvise
Most of the time, you want to keep a server someplace secure (to prevent unauthorized people from accessing it) and well-ventilated (to keep the machine cool and clean). Most of the time, you wouldn't put it in a toilet stall in a construction trailer. Most of the time.