NEWS IN BRIEF
Daily Digest 3 December
03-12-2008
by Emmet Cole
Server market growth slumps: IDC | Networked home edges closer to reality
Factory revenue in the worldwide server market declined 5.2 percent year-over-year to USD12.6 billion in the third quarter of 2008, according to IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Server Tracker. This is the largest quarterly revenue decline since the fourth quarter of 2002 as technology spending slowed around the world. Server unit shipment growth of 2.8 percent year-over-year in third quarter represented the slowest increase in server shipments since the final quarter of 2006. Volume systems revenue declined 7.2 percent year-over-year in the third quarter, the first decline for this important market segment in more than 14 quarters. Revenue for mid-range enterprise servers dropped 9.5 percent over the year, while revenue for high-end enterprise servers grew 4 percent, the third consecutive quarter of growth for this segment.
Meningitis Research Foundation has teamed up with BPI Telecom to raise up to EUR1 million by getting the public to donate their old mobile phones over the Christmas period. Meningitis Research Foundation has estimated that two deaths a month will occur in 2009 as a result of meningitis and septicaemia. Consumers can call Lo-call 1890 252 874 or e-mail MRF@bpi.ie to request a freepost bag for their old phones, while retailers can have a bin placed in their outlet.
Minister for the Information Society, Sean Power concluded a meeting with his European counterparts at an E-Inclusion Conference in Vienna on Wednesday. The purpose of the conference was to report on the progress being made towards reaching the Information Society Declaration signed at Riga in 2006 and to share ideas and information for the development of an e-inclusive society across Europe. Minister Power informed his European colleagues about Ireland's Next Generation Network consultation process and of "our commitment under the National Broadband Scheme to provide broadband to all areas currently unserved nationwide."
The 'networked home' might be a little closer to reality, with Nokia successfully demonstrating its Nokia Home Control Center technology at the Nokia World event in Barcelona. The Nokia Home Control Center is a wireless router that can interface with equipment around the home from central heating to home security cameras and curtains. The system is expected to be on shelves towards the end of 2009.
Meanwhile, Blacknight Internet Solutions has successfully rolled out purpose-built Evolve servers built by Irish-owned Ethos Technology. Blacknight provides hosting and co-location services. In 2008, Blacknight purchased over 100 Evolve servers on which many of the firm's top customers are hosting their websites. One customer, 1800hotels.ie, offers an online booking service for accommodation worldwide and has 10,000 unique visitors a day. This customer alone uses 15 Evolve servers located in a secure datacentre.
A new 'sound perception room' was officially opened Wednesday in St. Mary's Primary School for Deaf Girls in Cabra, Dublin 7. Analog Devices designed and installed the facility specifically to meet the needs of the deaf pupils. The room has amplification provided by the company's Soundfield system and all the audio-visual and musical equipment is linked to the system to create an integrated high-quality surround sound experience.
Finally, UPC Ireland, the parent company of Chorus ntl, has announced the launch of a new channel -- Info TV. Info TV is available to over 315,000 of UPC's digital customers and aims to promote UPC products and services. Designed to be a new way for viewers to learn more about UPC services and the content available on the firm's digital TV service, the station will be fronted by Alan Ennis who also presents on South East Radio.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 