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AMD posted a better-than-expected quarterly loss on Thursday as its gross margins improved.

AMD, which competes with market leader Intel, said its third-quarter net loss was $396 million, or 71 cents per share, compared to a net profit of $136 million, or 27 cents per share, in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 23 percent to $1.63 billion, beating the average analyst forecast of $1.52 billion according to Reuters Estimates.

Click for more on AMD posts quarterly net loss as costs rise »

Google reported a 46 percent rise in profit that topped Wall Street expectations, fueled by accelerating market share gains and tighter cost controls.

Third-quarter net income rose to $1.07 billion, or $3.38 per diluted share, compared with the year-earlier quarter’s $733.3 million, or $2.36 per diluted share. Excluding one-time items, profit was $3.91 per share in the latest quarter.

Gross revenue rose 57 percent to $4.23 billion.

Click for more on Google quarterly profit swells 46 percent »

Intel said strong demand for its microprocessors is giving the company a better-than-expected outlook, the quarterly profit rises 43%

The news indicated that the world’s top maker of microchips was gaining market share from smaller rival Advanced Micro Devices and also boded well for personal computer sales in the fourth quarter, analysts said.

“The overall message is one of strong demand,” Intel Chief Financial Officer Andy Bryant said in a telephone interview, adding the quarter’s revenue rose 16 percent sequentially, which was the highest growth rate in 10 years.

Click for more on Intel’s engines raking in $10.1 billion in Q3 »

Electronic Arts just announced that they have “acquired” both BioWare and Pandemic Studios.

These are two of the most respected studios in the industry and I’m glad to be working with them again. They’ll make a strong contribution to our strategic growth initiatives on quality, online gaming and developing new intellectual properties,” said John Riccitiello, EA’s Chief Executive Officer. “We also expect this will drive long-term value for our shareholders.”

“Pandemic Studios remains focused on attracting the best talent and creating blockbuster action games,” said Josh Resnick, President and Co-founder of Pandemic Studios. “As a worldwide publishing leader, EA represents the ideal partner to bring our titles to market as global entertainment events.”

Click for more on Electronic Arts Purchases BioWare, Pandemic »

Gateway is offering approximately $44 million for Packard Bell shares while Acer is preparing its final offer to buy Gateway for $710 million.

Gateway executives had confirmed on Oct. 8 that they would move ahead with an offer to buy Packard Bell, which is based in Paris and is one of the largest PC vendors in Europe. While Acer, headquartered in Taiwan, announced last week that it will deliver its final offer for Gateway on Oct. 10, which means that the company will likely finalize the deal by the end of the month.

Click for more on Gateway Moves to Buy Packard Bell, Acer Moves to Buy Gateway »

Xbox 360 console sales more than doubled; nearly 3 million gamers play online via Xbox LIVE. Microsoft said.

Interactive entertainment will never be the same, with the launch of one title that has changed the way the world thinks about video games. “Halo^® 3” has captured the attention of consumers worldwide and has made history as one of the biggest entertainment launches of all time.

Click for more on "Halo 3" Records More Than $300 Million in First-Week Sales Worldwide »

The final nail in the coffin will be Windows Vista, which under normal circumstances runs the entire audio subsystem in software, reducing the need for a sound card down to a DAC to handle the digital/analog conversion

So between their business and technology, where does all of this leave Creative? Simply put, it would be difficult to argue they’re not in a very bad situation.

Click for more on Anandtech: The Soundblaster Is Dead »