In The Papers 5 January

05-01-2009

by Sylvia Leatham

Irish Facebook users double | Schools to observe astronomical events

The Irish Independent reports that the number of Irish people using social networking site Facebook has doubled in 12 months. Figures compiled by Mulley Communications from Facebook's advertising system show that Facebook in Ireland has doubled in size in a year, going from just under 200,000 Irish users in January 2008 to 400,980 users in January 2009. Most users of the site are over 25, the stats showed, with 75.1 percent aged 21 to 35 years old, while just 4.4 percent are under 18.

The paper also reports that Promethean Ireland, suppliers of interactive whiteboards for classrooms, has teamed up with Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork to bring the International Year of Astronomy right into the classroom. The whiteboards mean schools will be able to see major events, as viewed through the telescope at Blackrock, projected onto a giant computer screen.

According to the Financial Times, China has launched a crackdown against major websites that officials have accused of threatening morals by spreading pornography and vulgarity, including the search engines Google and Baidu.com. China's Ministry of Public Security and six other government agencies announced the campaign at a meeting on Monday, state television reported, showing officials hauling digital equipment away from one unidentified office. The 19 internet operators and websites named in the report had failed to swiftly cut "vulgar" content and had not heeded warnings from censors, the government said.

The paper also says that 3D technology is spreading from the cinema to the home with media companies and consumer electronics manufacturers gearing up for living-room launches of the viewing technology. A number of 3D product announcements are expected at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week. The graphics chipmaker Nvidia will launch its GeForce 3D Vision product: 3D spectacles that link up wirelessly to a PC and allow gamers to play existing PC games in 3D. Also for gamers, a 22-inch 3D monitor from iZ3D, special glasses included, will go on sale across the US this week and the company will demonstrate at CES a version that displays Xbox and PlayStation 3 console games in 3D.

The Wall Street Journal says that just over half of US consumers plan to cut back on purchases of high-tech products this year, according to a study by Forrester Research. An online survey of more than 5,000 adults, conducted in November, shows that 66 percent are less likely to purchase satellite radios this year because of the sour economy, 62 percent said they are less likely to buy a portable GPS navigation device and 63 percent said they are less likely to buy a smartphone. Furthermore, 62 percent of those surveyed said they are less likely to buy a new videogame console, and 45 percent said they have delayed plans to purchase a new PC. In total, 51 percent of respondents said they would spend less on technology this year, while 44 percent said they would spend the same.

The Sunday Business Post says that PC maker Dell is expected to announce a large number of layoffs at its Limerick operation, despite reports that proposals had been made to keep manufacturing jobs. However, the paper said it understands no such proposals have been made to the firm. It said layoffs could be announced this week. The company has been reviewing its operations and is expected to move manufacturing to eastern Europe and Asia. The firm is expected to retain non-manufacturing jobs, and it is believed that the Government and IDA Ireland have been in contact with the company about developing its research and development functions in Ireland.

The Sunday independent also writes about the rumoured Dell consortium that is reported to be trying to save jobs at the Dell plant in Limerick. Chief executive Michael Dell is not believed to be coming to Limerick to inform the staff of the plant’s fate. Reports that former vice-president at Dell Ireland Nicky Hartery is part of the consortium of business people are believed to have been denied, although he has made no comment on the reports.

Other Irish mobile operators have already entered the market but it seems Meteor has decided to follow suit with a massive investment in mobile broadband. The mobile phone firm has been running a pilot scheme since November, the Sunday Business Post says, with several hundred customers taking part. The company plans to launch a 3G broadband service in Dublin and Cork initially, with other customers gaining access by the end of the year.

The same paper writes that international technology firm VMware’s expansion at its Cork operation has boosted its revenue and profits significantly. The company had turnover of USD565.8 million at its Irish operation in 2007, with pre-tax profits reaching USD13.2 million. This compares to turnover of USD131.5 million and profits of USD3.7 million the year before. It revealed plans to expand its Cork operation in 2007, announcing 369 new jobs at a technical support centre in Ballincollig.