NEWS IN BRIEF
Daily Digest 4 September
04-09-2009
by Emmet Cole
Toshiba to launch Blu-ray player | 3D TVs demo in Berlin
Eircom has rectified a regulatory breach in its systems that allowed its retail sales team to access customer information unavailable to other telecoms operators, according to a notice published by ComReg on Friday. Prior to the system changes, sales agents for Eircom Retail could use internal systems to obtain customers' Universal Account Numbers (UANs) from internal Eircom systems. The UAN is a unique customer identifier used by retail telecoms operators and is printed on the customer's bill. Given Eircom's role in providing wholesale services, the information can legitimately be held by Eircom Wholesale. However, Eircom sales staff had an effective advantage over the sales staff in other telecoms companies since their competitors did not have access to the same information. After the allegation first arose in 2006, Eircom and ComReg developed a programme to remedy the problem. Following that work, ComReg is now satisfied with the telco's efforts to prevent Eircom sales staff from accessing the UANs.
Meanwhile, Eircom.net's broadband customers experienced more than six hours of disruption to their internet service between 5.30pm and approximately midnight on Thursday, before service was restored. According to a statement from Eircom, the problem was caused by a combination of processor failure and a fault on one of Eircom.net's international links. Work is continuing, but while Eircom is warning of possible "minor service interruptions", it expects no further major disruptions to its service.
Friday saw the launch of IrelandAndIrish.com, a free website designed to help SMEs network and promote their products and services on the web. The site says it features SEO-friendly forums that allow firms to upload search terms that will move them higher up the rankings in global search engines, including Google. An automated service allows users to upload key words and phrases.
Microsoft has won a stay against a ban on selling its Word word processor product in the United States. Imposing the ban last month, a Texan court ruled that the way Word handles the formatting language XML infringed a patent held by Canadian software developer i4i Ltd. Microsoft was ordered to pay USD290 million in damages and was banned from selling Word in the United States. The ban was due to come into effect in October. Arguments in Microsoft's appeal against the original court ruling will now be heard on 23 September.
Recovering HD-DVD advocate Toshiba has announced details of its first Blu-ray player, the BDX2000. The player comes with 1080p, an SD card slot and AVCHD playback. The BDX2000 can connect to digital TVs using a HDMI connector. Despite going on about HD-DVD until it was blu(e) in the face, Toshiba finally conceded defeat in the format wars in February 2008 when US retail giant Wal-Mart announced its support for the Blu-ray format. Scheduled for availability in November, the player has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of USD250.
Panasonic, Sony and Philips are thrilling visitors to this year's IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin by showing off their new 3D televisions -- but attendees need to wear their specs. The Panasonic stand is showing a 3D trailer of the upcoming 'Avatar' movie on 3D sets using plasma display technology and special glasses. Meanwhile, Philips is showing a 3D version of its super widescreen 21:9 cinema television set, which requires the use of special glasses. And Sony has announced that it is planning to create a range of LCD 3D televisions -- which again require the use of special "shutter glasses". The company also announced plans to integrate 3D into its PlayStations and Vaio notebook products.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 