Intel invests in improving the way computers see the world as it acquires Movidius, a machine vision specialist whose technology is found in products from the likes of DJI, Lenovo and Google.

The financial details of the deal are not available.

One might recall Chipzilla already has an interest in machine vision, having developed the RealSense depth-sensing camera system. As such, Movidius technology will surely be integrated with the Intel offering, not to mention other recent Chipzilla acquisitions in the field such as machine-learning startup Nervana systems.

“The ability to track, navigate, map and recognise both scenes and objects using Movidius’ low power and high performance (chips) opens up opportunities in areas where heat, battery life and form factors are key,” Intel says. “Specifically, we will look to deploy the technology across our efforts in augmented, virtual and merged reality, drones, robotics, digital security cameras and beyond.”

Following a lengthy investigation the European Commission (EC) concludes the Irish government granted "undue tax benefits" to Apple-- leading to a tax bill worth up to €13 billion plus interest.

According to Reuters the sum is 40x bigger than any previous EC demand to a company in a tax-related case. However it can be reduced if other countries do like Ireland and demand more tax from Apple.

Ireland already has a relatively low corporation tax rate of 12.5%, but Apple managed to get a deal from the Irish government of a corporate tax rate of just 1% in 2003. This was lowered even further to 0.005% in 2014. Such selective tax treatment is deemed illegal under EU state rules, and as a result EC demands the Irish government has to recover unpaid taxes for the 2003-2014 period.

The investigation kicked off in 2014 following claims the Irish government broke EU laws with tax rulings agreed with Apple in 1991 and 2007.

Microsoft announces a "deepening of strategic relationships" with Lenovo in a deal having Lenovo preload Microsoft apps on select devices, as well as a "patent cross-licensing agreement."

The Microsoft apps in question are of the productivity variety, such as Office, OneDrive and Skype. They will be found in premium Android-powered Lenovo smartphones and tablets.

“Our collaboration with Microsoft will create new opportunities for our customers to take advantage of some of Microsoft’s most popular apps,” Lenovo says. “Installing Microsoft apps and services on our devices will bring additional value to consumers around the globe.”

Foxconn finalises the $3.5 billion acquisition of struggling Japanese display maker Sharp after months of negotion, not to mention a prolonged review of the deal by Chinese anti-monopoly authorities.

"Sharp hereby announces that all examinations by the competition authorities of the relevant countries have been completed," a statement from the company reads. "Herewith, the conditions precedent to the payment of the New Shares have been satisfied. Therefore, transaction from the Planned Allottees are expected to be made in accordance with our agreement as soon as possible."

Following the acquisition Sharp CEO Kozo Takahashi steps down. Replacing him is Foxconn vice chairman Tai Jeng-wu.

Incipio follows the June Skullcandy buy with the acquisition of Griffin Technology, the maker of mobile device accessories, for an undisclosed sum.

"Griffin has a 25-year history of designing, manufacturing and distributing iconic mobile accessories," Incipio says. "As part of Incipio Group, Griffin strengthens our product development and manufacturing capabilities, complements our existing product lines in rugged cases, power and connectivity, and allows our brands to reach a broader domestic and international audience through enhanced distribution in the business-to-business, enterprise and education verticals."

Intel appears to want out of the industry that made its fortune-- the company's latest 10-Q filing shows PCs no longer have a place in the Intel vision chart, being thrown under the "Things & Devices" umbrella.

Such a move might not come as so much of a surprise, seeing how the PC industry is currently all about woes related to sales declines. And since it failed to capitalise on the success of mobile devices (another product category currently going through less than stellar fortunes, mind), Chipzilla appears to be shifting attentions wholly towards datacentres and the myriad things making the Internet of Things.

"As more 'things and devices' become smart and connected to the cloud, there is greater demand for data centers to not only connect these devices, but also to capture and analyze the data they create," the filing reads.