For the record 19 April

19-04-2007

by Maxim Kelly

SentryWireless launches KidSafe package for mobiles | Irish online ad spend to reach EUR35m in 2007

Intel chairman Craig Barrett has dedicated company resources to help revitalise Lebanon after the devastation caused by the recent Israel-Hizbullah conflict. Intel is taking part in a host of initiatives, including deploying WiMax wireless systems in two hospitals, a school and two community centres in Burj Al Barajneh, Nabatiyeh and Beirut. The chip maker is also donating more than 100 high-performance servers to university engineering labs and science departments across Lebanon, and will help train 5,000 teachers in using IT. Intel is seeding another project to encourage community access to computers by providing more than 180 PCs, bought from local companies, to community centres across the country. It is also allocating USD500,000 to a new technology incubation centre.

Irish firm SentryWireless.com has launched a web-based service allowing parents to control their children's mobile phone use. KidSafe allows parents to choose which numbers calls and texts can be accepted from, so only approved numbers can get through, and includes a time-lock so the phone can be locked during school hours.

Irish online advertising spend is to reach EUR35 million by the end of the year, according to researchers at iReach. Mobile phone marketing is expected to account for 5 percent of this figure. "The power of the digital consumer is increasing dramatically in Ireland, and the outlook for 2007 is for the market to grow by at least 30 percent to EUR3.25 billion," said analyst Sinead Daly of iReach.

Plantronics has introduced a new range of 'noise-cancelling microphones'. The wireless CS70N and SupraPlus Wireless connect to telephones and use filtering technology to exclude background sounds. Both headsets are priced in the region of EUR299.

The Morgan Hotel in Dublin has implemented a new booking system developed by Irish e-commerce firm Magico.ie. The Ennis, Co Clare-based firm has deployed its MagiBooker product suite at the city centre hotel, which is part of the Fitzpatrick Hotel Group.

Electronics firm Sanyo has signed a deal with model kit maker Revell to market its 'eneloop' batteries across the Irish and European toy trade. Sanyo claims the batteries are eco-friendly power sources and, unlike most other rechargeable batteries, contain charge when purchased. Sanyo says a low self-discharge rate ensures its AA and AAA batteries retain their energy even if a toy lies dormant for months, providing almost their entire supply of energy after as long as a year.