IN THE PAPERS
In the papers 10 December
10-12-2007
by Stephen Errity
Sat-nav devices are surprise Christmas hit | Government approves new IDA grant for Dell
The Irish Times reports that a new identity card being developed for social welfare recipients is to be expanded to include users of a range of other State services -- and possibly even private sector services. The new electronic "smartcards" are being developed by the Department of Social and Family Affairs to verify identity and carry information on the range of social services for which the holder qualifies. In advance of the distribution of the cards next year, it has emerged that the department is working on plans to incorporate services such as the free travel scheme, the Garda age verification scheme and potentially even to add private sector services.
According to the Financial Times, satellite-navigation devices are set to take the honours as the breakthrough consumer electronic gift this Christmas, according to early indications of sales. "It has been one of the biggest-selling categories in all of consumer electronics," said Ross Rubin, an analyst at NPD. The firm, which tracks US retail electronics sales, is due to release figures on Monday confirming the jump in sales. Seven of the 20 biggest-selling electronic products on Amazon.com at the end of last week were navigation devices.
The paper also says that Vodafone has finalised a mobile phone infrastructure sharing agreement with rivals in India that should accelerate wireless coverage across the country and provide the participating companies with significant cost savings. Vodafone and Indian mobile operators Bharti Airtel and Idea have agreed to pool network infrastructure in a joint venture that may in the future seek a stock exchange listing. The three mobile operators will be sharing about 70,000 mobile mast sites that have been put into the joint venture company, although they will retain separate wireless transmission equipment on these towers.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Mexican telephone and retail magnate Carlos Slim will exit the US consumer electronics market, shutting the last 100 CompUSA stores after sinking about USD2 billion into the business. CompUSA did an estimated USD4 billion in annual sales last year, but with store closures in February sales were expected to shrink to about USD1.5 billion this year, according to industry executives. The business has not been recently profitable, they said.
The Sunday Business Post reports that the Government has approved a 'significant' new IDA grant for the Dell computer factory in Limerick. Although the exact amount was not disclosed, the new grant is believed to be one of the largest made in recent years. It is believed that it will be spent on assisting Dell with transitioning the Limerick facility from manufacturing to higher-end research and customer service jobs. The US computer giant recently opened a similar manufacturing plant in Poland.
The paper also reports on the launch of a new Irish eco-friendly retail chain offering inkjet printer cartridge refills. Cartridge Green was founded by UCD graduates Niall McConnell and Nik Healy, who say they plan to open 30 retail outlets nationwide over the next two years. The company has already opened five stores, where it offers printing services and office supplies in addition to ink refills. The founders add that they are to offer franchise opportunities in the near future.
The paper also says that Commercial Wireless, an Irish company that distributes mobile communications devices, is planning to enter the UK market. The company reported turnover of EUR11 million in 2006 and is on course to increase that amount to EUR12.5 million this year. Managing Director Michael Moriarty says he is targeting turnover of EUR15 million by 2010. He added that Britain's slightly lower rate of mobile penetration when compared to Ireland made it an attractive option for expansion.
The same paper also reports that net profits at Dublin-based IT consultancy Version 1 more than doubled to EUR967,000 last year, thanks to a 56 percent increase in gross profits. The company acquired Dublin software company Prose in 2006 for an estimated EUR1 million, and Managing Director Justin Keatinge said the full impact of this acquisition would be seen in the company's 2007 figures.
The same paper reports on the development of a 3D printer by Ardee, Louth-based Mcor Technologies. The new device is the first of its kind to produce 3D objects from standard A4 office paper, using 'rapid prototyping' technology, which can join liquids, powders and sheet materials together to make a solid object. The printer can produce output from 3D CAD (computer-aided design) software.
The paper also reports that financial services security software provider Norkom has secured EUR4 million in funding from Enterprise Ireland's scaling unit. The money, which will be paid in annual instalments over three years, will be used to create 111 new jobs at the Dublin-based firm, 70 of which will be in the area of research and development.
The paper also says that Centrecom has agreed a deal with UPC Ireland to provide its cable broadband service to customers as part of its Corporate HomeWorker broadband service. The deal was agreed last October and has been valued at EUR650,000 over five years.
The Sunday Tribune reports that the organisers of the Paddy's Valley delegation of Irish technology entrepreneurs that recently visited Silicon Valley have decided to discontinue their partnership with Enterprise Ireland after feeling "let down" by the state agency. They have claimed that EI's conservative approach to networking was a hindrance in the relaxed Californian corporate culture and that much more was achieved by individuals working on their own initiative without the support of Enterprise Ireland.
The Sunday Times notes that the Data Protection Commissioner has issued 200 summonses against six companies for sending spam text messages.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 