With more than 17 million units sold the iPhone (AAPL) has become a cultural phenomenon. Sure all those apps have something to do with its success but the device's touch-sensitive display can't be overstated. Now competitors are readying touchscreen products of their own. It’s a remarkable resurgence for a technology that was originally panned when it was first introduced by Apple’s biggest rival almost 10 years ago. Back then when Microsoft (MSFT) introduced its tablet PC featuring a rotating touch-sensitive display Bill Gates hailed it as the future of personal computing. He was right but the world wasn't ready. Now the iPhone's insane popularity makes for ...

Microchip Technology Inc. says it is ending its bid to acquire Atmel Corp. and is withdrawing its slate of director-nominees for the companyâ??s upcoming board elections.

Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Thursday's session are the retailers and home builders, as well as BMC Software, Bunge, Cisco, International Flavors, Warner Music, Watson Wyatt, and Visa.

Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Thursday's session are Kellogg, MasterCard, Moodyâ??s, and News Corp.

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) - Atmel Corp. late Monday blasted Microchip Technology's decision to field an alternate slate of directors to its board, as the bitter merger battle between the two chip makers flared up once again.