IN THE PAPERS
In the papers 21 April
21-04-2008
by Ciara O'Brien
Hollywood studios to launch internet/TV joint venture | AT&T to cut 4,600 staff from landline business
The Financial Times reports that three of Hollywood's leading studios have formed a new TV and internet joint venture that will show new releases alongside original programming and classic movies. Viacom and its Hollywood studio unit Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Lionsgate are partners in the unnamed venture, which will launch in autumn next year. The three studios have all come to the end of output deals with their pay-TV partners and decided that they could generate more revenue from joining forces and launching their own service. The companies are in talks with several TV distribution partners and are also exploring distribution of the service via the internet.
The paper also reports that Japanese electronics conglomerate NEC has revised its full-year net income forecast downwards by 40 percent, after it had to hold off on a planned asset sale due to worsening global market conditions. The group, which makes servers, computers and telecoms equipment, has been cutting costs at struggling subsidiaries as it targets demand for new networks from financial institutions and telecoms operators. NEC said it now expects net income of JPY18 billion (USD173.2 million) for the year ended 31 March, down from a previous forecast of JPY30 billion.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Microsoft is experimenting with a subscription-based model to sell its Office software and other applications to US consumers. In a statement, Microsoft said the programme, code-named "Albany," had been launched in a private beta testing, with plans to release the product before the end of 2008. The package will include the latest versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint, along with security tools. If launched, Albany will mark the first time Microsoft has experimented with a subscription-based Office product in the US. The company has launched subscription-based versions of its Office products in some emerging markets.
The paper also says that US telecoms firm AT&T plans to lay off 4,600 staff, or about 1.5 percent of its workforce, as part of a reorganisation of its shrinking landline phone business. However, the company said it intends to hire about the same number of people for positions related to its expanding wireless, television and broadband services in coming months. As a result, it expects its total headcount to remain constant at about 310,000 in the coming year.
The Sunday Independent writes that a Mountjoy prisoner has been using social networking site Bebo to communicate with friends. The profile includes pictures of the prisoner in his cell, some of which were taken with a mobile phone. The page has already been accessed by viewers 500 times in the past week. The incident is being investigated by the Irish Prisons Service. Possessing a mobile phone in prison is a criminal offence.
The Sunday Tribune says that 44 Leitrim County Council employees have had their bank details published online, after a database containing the details was posted on the web. The files includes account and sort code details, e-mail addresses and employee numbers. The paper says that the council was made aware of the data breach last week, but the database could have been online since September 2003. The information became public after it was published on a web server which functions as an open directory index of a server and its contents used by the council.
The same paper highlights the disparity in price between the iPhone in the UK and in Ireland, with Irish consumers paying twice as much. The device was slashed in price by STG100 last week, bringing it to the equivalent of EUR200 in Britain and Northern Ireland. Across the border, however, the phone costs EUR399. O2 Ireland has defended its position, saying that the UK is at a different stage in its marketing strategy, as the device has been on sale there for several months longer than in the Republic.
The Sunday Times says that Sun Microsystems, SAP and Red Hat are all believed to have looked at Iona as a possible acquisition. A shortlist of five bidders is believed to be in the process of being drawn up by Lehman brothers. German firm Software AG is expected to be the frontrunner.
The paper also says that Apple is in the process of designing a digital personal trainer that will measure heart rate, advise on exercise and recommend a healthy meal. The device will use body sensors and special software, and has been nicknamed the iProd. Patents for the device have already been lodged.
The Department of Education will have to find EUR6 million a year in funding for school broadband services when the private sector subsidy paid by Ibec finishes this year. Ibec previously paid EUR5 million of the EUR6 million, but this arrangement will end in June, and Ibec is not renewing the deal, the Sunday Times says.
The Sunday Business post says that shares in technology firm Vimio were suspended on the AIM last week at the request of the company. The firm issued a statement saying that fresh funding had not been received, and as such the placing could not proceed. Vimio develops technology to facilitate the viewing of TV on mobile phones.
A source within Vodafone has admitted to the Sunday Business Post that the speeds of its mobile broadband product are a fraction of what they advertise. The source told the paper that the 3.6 Mbps speed is rarely reached, with typical speeds instead ranging from 0.6 Mpbs to 0.7 Mbps.
The same paper reports that Cusp Point Software is expected to generate EUR2 million in turnover this year. The electronic document management solutions firms has raised funding and shifted its focus to try to take advantage of opportunities in the sector. It has also significantly increased its workforce, now employing 38 people.
The paper also writes that Dubliners will get a chance to air their views on how the Government uses technology at the Accenture Global Cities Forum. Other cities that have taken part in the project include London, Sydney and Singapore.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 