For the record 8 September

08-09-2005

by Deirdre McArdle

Sony launches new Walkman MP3 player | Net founding father becomes Google 'evangelist'

Consumer internet lobbying group IrelandOffline has cautiously welcomed the new ComReg directive on minimum data speeds, but it warned that stronger directives would be needed to address the massive line failure rates in Ireland. "IrelandOffline welcome the fact that we at last have a minimum standard after years of our campaigning for one. We are, however, disappointed that the standard is couched in 'reasonable endeavours' terminology which puts no real pressure on Eircom to bring its lines to an acceptable standard," said IrelandOffline spokesperson Martin Harran.

Chorus has announced that it has launched high-speed internet access for the Cork region. Following an upgrade to its system, Chorus will offer broadband to almost 60,000 of homes in Cork. Chorus's Cablenet offers download speeds of 1MB and upload speeds of 256k as standard from EUR29.95 per month.

On the same day that Apple launched its iPod Nano, Sony announced a new range of Walkman MP3 players. The players are available in a 20GB and 6GB version and in three colours -- violet, silver and pink. The new Walkman will be in stores by early November 2005, with a recommended retail price of EUR299 and EUR259 respectively for the 20GB and 6GB respectively.

In related news, Apple said it has teamed up with Acura, Audi, Honda and Volkswagen to deliver iPod integration with their car stereos for 2006 model lines. This move will mean that iPod users will be able to listen to their music through the car's stereo system and access their iTunes music library. There are now 15 car companies around the world offering iPod integration, and more than 5 million cars will ship with iPod support in the US in 2006.

Google has announced that it has hired Vint Cerf, widely known as a "founding father" of the internet, as its "chief internet evangelist". Cerf was hired to help Google build network infrastructure, architectures, systems and standards for the next generation of internet applications. Cerf joins Google from MCI, where he led technology advancements since 1982, with a break to return to research at the Corporation for National Research Initiatives from 1986 to 1994. Cerf aims to continue in his role as the chairman of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

IBM has announced an upgrade to its flagship platform with the launch of Lotus Notes and Domino 7. Lotus Domino 7 includes new collaboration features and tools that IBM says can help improve productivity for IT administrators and corporate application developers, as well as significant new productivity enhancements to help Lotus Notes users work more efficiently. Lotus Domino 7 also includes new tools for application developers.