Daily Digest 7 November

07-11-2008

by Deirdre McArdle

Irish teacher comes third in Microsoft competition | Obama starts search for CTO

Irish teacher Kate O'Connell has come third in the 'Innovation in Content' category at Microsoft's 2008 Worldwide Innovative Teachers Forum (ITF) in Hong Kong. The Worldwide ITF recognises teachers who incorporate the creative use of technology in their classrooms. O'Connell's project, "Flying High: Exploring Aviation", used technology and digital learning to encourage primary school children to build aeroplanes. It integrated every subject in the primary school curriculum with ICT and digital learning. The children used LEGO to construct their own working models of aeroplanes, building hydraulic lifts to raise the planes and stimulate flight.

US wireless provider Sprint Nextel posted a net loss of USD64 million, or USD0.11 loss per share, compared with net income of USD64 million, or USD0.02 a share, a year earlier. Revenue decreased 12 percent to USD8.82 billion. Analysts had been expecting earnings of USD0.03 on revenue of USD8.85 billion. A steep drop-off in subscribers has been cited as the key reason for the losses; the operator lost 1.5 million customers overall during the quarter, with the post-paid segment alone declining by 1.1 million customers.

The boards of Japanese electronics giants Panasonic and Sanyo have agreed to start talks on a capital and business alliance with a view to Sanyo becoming a subsidiary of Panasonic, the companies said in a joint statement. Panasonic said it was interested in Sanyo's rechargeable and solar battery technology, and in return would share its "cost-cutting know-how" with its rival. Analysts expect Panasonic to acquire a majority stake in Sanyo, which is struggling in the current economic climate, to create a new industry heavyweight better placed to ride out the current industry slump.

YouTube will start offering feature films produced by at least one of the biggest Hollywood movie studios perhaps as early as next month, according to an executive with a major entertainment company, reports tech website CNET. YouTube has reportedly been talking to a number of major film studios over the past few months about rolling out an ad-supported, streaming movie service. CNET's source said that "if all goes well" we could expect to see such a service launched within the next "30 to 90 days".

Adding to speculation that his administration will have a strong focus on technology, US president-elect Barack Obama has called on his technology and innovation adviser Julius Genachowski to play a key role in his transition team as he selects staff for his administration. Obama had previously indicated his intention to hire a chief technology officer, and speculation is now doing the rounds that Genachowski will help Obama with this selection. In keeping with the heavy web influence of the Obama campaign, Obama's team has launched a website for the transition.

UK tech firm Cranberry has launched its SC20 Smart Client on the Irish market. Cranberry claims the Smart Client computer is the industry's most "energy-efficient alternative to a desktop computer". The device is targeted at companies deploying thin, fat and virtual client application models, and at companies that are looking to reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprint. Pricing for the SC20 Smart Client starts at EUR450, and is available to customers in Ireland through Cranberry's distribution partner, CDG.