IN THE PAPERS
In the papers 11 June
11-06-2007
by Jonathan Farrelly
Apple in talks with major movie studios | Digital Media Forum calls for minister of technology
The Irish Examiner reports that Google's privacy policies are the worst among the web's big hitters, according to Privacy International. The privacy watchdog assigned Google its lowest possible grade, reserved for companies with "comprehensive consumer surveillance and entrenched hostility to privacy". In a statement from one of its lawyers, Google said it aggressively protects its users' privacy and stands behind its track record.
In more news of the search giant, the Wall Street Journal reports that Google has told state and federal antitrust authorities that Microsoft's Windows Vista operating-system software puts rivals at a disadvantage. Google's complaints centre on its desktop search facility, which Google claims is hampered by Microsoft's new operating system. Google's allegations are under review by the Justice Department and state attorneys general.
The same paper says that a Silicon Valley start-up called Eye-Fi has added wireless connectivity to the card -- typically SD cards -- that store data in many digital cameras. This move means that once a user configures some software and web settings, a camera equipped with an Eye-Fi card can automatically transfer stored photos to the user's PC without the need for wires. Eye-Fi expects to begin selling its cards for around USD100 in the third quarter, said Yuval Koren, its chief executive. While not all digital cameras use SD cards, Ron Glaz, an IDC analyst, estimated about 60 percent of cameras support the format.
The Financial Times reports that Apple is believed to be in talks with major Hollywood studios about launching an online film rental service to challenge cable and satellite TV operators. The service could be significant for Apple; if it signs up enough studios, it could gain access to more premium film content. Apple already sells films that can be downloaded and owned, and has distribution deals with Walt Disney and Paramount.
The same paper writes that handheld game devices are set to dominate sales in the console market this year, according to Yoichi Wada, chief executive of Square Enix, one of Japan's leading games developers. Reflecting this statement Square Enix announced that Dragon Quest IX, the latest instalment in its successful franchise, would only be produced for Nintendo's handheld DS machine. The move was reportedly groundbreaking, as previous Dragon Quest instalments were made primarily for the PlayStation and PS2. "Management [at game developers] are making decisions on a pure economic basis these days," said Jay Defibaugh, analyst at Credit Suisse. "You are putting a lot of risk on the table if you develop an exclusive [title] for the PS3."
The Sunday Business Post reveals that Dublin software firm Bantry Technologies has merged with French company Trusted Logic in a deal worth EUR10 million to Bantry's shareholders. The firms have worked together on technical development in the past and the merger follows the announcement of an exclusive commercial agreement last November.
The same paper also divulges that another Dublin software firm AdaptiveMobile has raised USD14 million (EUR10.5 million) in funding. The funding round was led by Doughty Hanson, the venture capital firm that has invested in TV3 and Irish technology companies including nanotechnology firm Ntera. Noor Financial Investment Company, a Kuwaiti investment firm, and Intel Capital, the funding unit of the computer chip giant, also backed AdaptiveMobile.
The same paper also states that credit ratings agency Standard and Poor's has upgraded a number of its debt ratings for Eircom to reflect a more favourable view of the phone company's financial position. The company's recovery rating, which provides lenders with guidance on the likelihood of being repaid in the event of Eircom defaulting on its loans, was also revised upwards. Standard and Poor's said it expected lenders to be repaid between 90 and 100 percent of outstanding debts in the event of a default.
The same paper also says that the merger of Belfast software firm Aepona and Swedish company Appium will create a firm with annual revenues of about EUR25 million and almost 200 staff. The companies merged ENN last week in a deal designed to give the enlarged firm -- which retains the Aepona name -- a bigger share of the market for software for telecoms operators.
The same paper also reports that digital media companies have called for the appointment of a minister of technology to ensure Ireland becomes a "global player" in this economically important sector. The Digital Media Forum (DMF) claims the absence of a one-stop shop is already having a detrimental effect on the sector, according to Neil Leyden, chairman of DMF, who said "there is not a single minister to coordinate activity in this area that is so vital to our future economy and society."
The same paper also reveals that new research from Britain indicates that, contrary to conventional wisdom, many older people are spending an increasing amount of time surfing the internet. A new study from marketing intelligence company Hitwise shows so-called 'silver surfers' are now the second largest group on the internet in Britain. This puts them behind only the 35 to 44 year-old age group.
The Sunday Times divulges that the rebel shareholders seeking to force Vodafone to take on an additional STG34 billion (EUR50 billion) of debt have estimated their plans could save the mobile phone giant more than STG600 million a year in tax repayments. A newly-formed Guernsey company called Efficient Capital Structures (ECS) stunned Vodafone and its leading investors last week when it succeeded in securing a shareholder vote on four resolutions that will now be put before July's annual meeting.
The same paper also acknowledges Aodhan Cullen, who was nominated for Business Week's young European entrepreneur of the year award 2007. He and his wife Jenni run StartCounter.com, which is an internet company that provides real-time visitor tracking and analysis statistics to more than 1.4 million customers worldwide. A predominantly free service, funded through advertisements on the site, StartCounter has introduced paid-for services for customers requiring more details on website traffic.
The Sunday Tribune reports that Silicon Valley venture capital fund Benchmark Capital has spun off its EUR1.1 billion European investment vehicle under the newly branded banner of Balderton Capital. Former Esat Digifone chief executive Barry Maloney is one of seven partners in the rebranded breakaway fund, and he told the Sunday Tribune that Balderton's aim will be to invest in early and later stage companies with a view to floating them on major European exchanges such as Milan, Frankfurt and London.
And finally, the same paper also says that Irish-based companies have begun recruiting IT staff specifically to secure secret, commercially sensitive information from competitors, the technical director of an internet security company has claimed. Conor Flynn, of Dublin-based firm RITS, told the Sunday Tribune that less ethical motives behind new staff recruitment are becoming a factor in the IT industry. He said: "It's happened now on a number of occasions where IT workers are being recruited with the explicit intent of gaining access information and to gain a competitive advantage.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 