IN THE PAPERS
In The Papers 19 October
19-10-2009
by Deirdre McArdle
Ireland urged to find its 'Nokia' | Cisco overhauls entry-level routers
The Irish Independent reports that since the laptops for schools project (Connect) was introduced to St Aidan's Community School in Tallaght the school has recorded significant improvement in exam results and attendance levels. Days lost through student absence fell from more than 9,000 a year in 2005/05 to less than 4,000 in 2008/09. St Aidan's principal Frank Moran said it was hard to say that the changes could be attributed exclusively to the Connect initiative, but it had been a factor in student attendance, student engagement and in making St Aidan's a school of choice in the area.
The Irish Examiner reports on the Kenmare 2009 economic symposium over the weekend, when IBEC economist Reetta Suonpera told delegates that Ireland needs to identify key industries with significant job-creating potential and build its recovery around them. Suonpera highlighted Finland's economic situation which in the early nineties suffered from a property collapse not dissimilar to Ireland. At that time Finland began to invest heavily in research and development (R&D), hoping to create a knowledge economy. She pointed to Nokia in particular, and said that Ireland must recognise and support a 'Nokia' when and if it comes along.
The Wall Street Journal writes that GE and Vivendi are nearing a deal over GE's acquisition of Vivendi's minority stake in NBC Universal, according to people familiar with the matter. That stake is a key element in a potential deal that could give US cable operator Comcast control of NBC Universal, and eventually usher GE out of the entertainment business. GE currently owns 80 percent of NBC Universal and Vivendi has 20 percent. GE and Comcast have been discussing a potential tie-up involving NBC Universal, and are currently in the midst of due diligence, according to people familiar with the matter. If Vivendi and GE can hammer out a price, a deal on the Comcast-NBC Universal transaction could come next month, insiders say.
According to the Financial Times, Cisco is to overhaul one of its core products for the first time in five years. The networking equipment maker will on Monday announce it is releasing three new models of routers aimed at small- and mid-sized businesses and branch offices. The move should help Cisco to fend off rivals with cheaper products, notably 3Com, which has been making inroads, particularly in China. Cisco last overhauled its entry-level routers in 2004 after it had come under attack from start-ups promising double the performance at the same price.
The Sunday Times reports that X Factor fans may have found a way around the restriction that prevents Irish viewers from voting for winning acts. A new website based in the UK, Free2Call.tv, said it can route Irish and UK calls to the official X Factor phone numbers. It charges what it describes as a low fee, provided viewers listen to a 15 second ad. According to Free2Call.tv, the service uses a standard call diversion system checked out by UK regulator Ofcom. However, ITV and TV3, who both screen the competition, said they could not guarantee that votes people make through the service are being counted.
The Sunday Business Post writes that businessman Denis O'Brien has attacked the operation and preliminary findings of the Moriarty Tribunal on a new website. Moriartytribunal.com went live early on Saturday, and carries confidential correspondence between the tribunal and other parties. The tribunal is investigating the awarding of a mobile phone licence to O'Brien's Esat group, and draft findings have accused the businessman of being the beneficiary of a corrupted process. O'Brien disputes the tribunals preliminary findings. The website includes a section on the standard of proof used by tribunal's chairman Justice Michael Moriarty, the costs of the tribunal, and the relationship between tribunal senior counsel Gerry Healy and one of the firms which was unsuccessful in its bid for the licence.
The same paper also writes about the Enterprise Ireland Big Ideas showcase, which saw 21 new high-tech start-ups attend Cork Park to pitch their ideas to venture capitalists and private investors last week. The first event of its kind, the showcase included NUI Maynooth microbiology senior lecturer Kevin Kavanagh, who has developed a new immune system boosting therapy for bees hit by colony collapse disorder, and Ken Fahy of EUV Source Solutions, which has developed a liquid metal mirror for producing next generation microchips.
The paper also reports that online payments firm 3V Transaction Services is to launch its product in the Benelux region, following the signing of a new deal with Luxembourg based Banque Invik. As part of the agreement, Banque Invik will function as 3V's banking partner, with the firm's pay-as-you-go Visa voucher launching early next year. 3V also plans to expand into other countries. The company has also agreed a deal with Moreless BV for distribution and marketing in Europe.
The same paper reports that Irish universities are developing technology that will change how sports events are filmed. Sports broadcaster ESPN and Irish researchers are teaming up to develop "sensor web technologies" that will help cameras respond automatically to the movements of sports people. Movements are measured through sensors or tags worn by players, and recorded by a network of cameras. Eventually, the technology will be used to record sports events with cameras that mimic a human director. The Clarity centre -- a partnership between UCD, DCU and supported by the Tyndall National Institute in Cork -- is developing the technology.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 