IN THE PAPERS
In the papers 13 November
13-11-2007
by Sylvia Leatham
Adobe chief to step down | Google offers prizes to mobile software developers
The Irish Times reports that Ryanair could face legal action to force it to adopt more consumer-friendly policies on the back of an EU-wide investigation into unfair practices in the airline industry. European consumer affairs commissioner Maglena Kuneva will issue an ultimatum to Ryanair and dozens of other EU airlines on Wednesday over the way they sell tickets online. She is expected to threaten to "name and shame" airlines she believes are breaking European consumer laws and ask national regulators to take legal action unless they change their policies within four months.
The paper also says that O2 Ireland now has 1.632 million subscribers, as noted by ENN on Monday.
The same paper reports that Dublin software firm Allfinanz has been acquired by reinsurance giant Munich Re. Read the full story on ENN.
The paper also notes that IBM has acquired software maker Cognos in its biggest ever acquisition. Read more on this story on ENN.
According to the Financial Times, Bruce Chizen is to step down as chief executive of Adobe, citing personal reasons for leaving the software firm. Adobe sought to paint the move as an orderly succession, with the job passing to Shantanu Narayen, who has been president and chief operating officer since early 2005. Chizen departs the firm at the end of this month, after seven years at the helm.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Google is offering USD10 million in prizes for people who build the best software for the company's forthcoming mobile operating system. As part of the Android Developer Challenge, a panel of judges will pick 50 winners from entries received from 2 January through 3 March. The search engine giant is developing a free mobile phone software package that it says will make it easier to surf the web over mobile devices. It also will give Google more opportunities to sell ads and services.
The paper also says that Microsoft intends to acquire Musiwave, a French unit of Openwave Systems that provides mobile musical services to operators and media companies. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Microsoft said the deal will combine Musiwave's relationships with music labels, device makers and mobile operators that deliver digital entertainment with Microsoft's technologies.
The same paper says that a group associated with a former Samsung Group attorney intensified its bribery accusations against the South Korean conglomerate and prominent government officials by naming three of the alleged bribe recipients. Included in the list is the attorney recently appointed as the country's chief prosecutor. The Supreme Public Prosecutors' office responded by saying it would investigate the allegations.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 