NEW YORK (AP) -- Tech companies are sweating it out to keep ahead of what consumers want from their gadgets. Just look at Qualcomm Inc., which struck a $3.2 billion deal Wednesday in hopes of tapping into the explosion of Wi-Fi connected devices such as tablet computers and TVs.Qualcomm is a pioneer in the cell phone industry - if you have a Verizon or Sprint phone, a piece of its silicon is probably helping you access the Web, get e-mail and make calls. But the company decided it needed to buy Wi-Fi chip maker Atheros Communications Inc. to ensure that it didn't miss the next big leap in connectivity.Apple Inc. has sold more than 7 million iPads and imitators are lining up even now to show off competing tablets at this week's International

Read more...