IN THE PAPERS
In The Papers 18 March
18-03-2010
by Sylvia Leatham
Games maker Zynga to set up in Ireland | Ireland lagging in innovation stakes
The Irish Times reports that mobile signal 'jammers' that can be bought on the internet pose a security risk to GPS navigation systems on land and at sea, according to an Irish technology specialist. Such jammers interfere with GPS receivers by broadcasting a competing signal on the same frequency. They can now be purchased for several hundred dollars on the web, said GPS consultant Gary Delaney. The prevalence of such illegal devices must give added impetus to moves to provide an alternative navigation system, such as the terrestrial-based eLoran system, he added.
The paper also says that NUI Galway scientists, engineers, information technologists and clinicians aim to attract new biomedical industry partnerships at an industry showcase in Galway next week. The university's national centre for biomedical engineering science is hosting the event on 24 March, which will outline new R&D opportunities, technology developments and testing services. Centre director Prof Frank Barry and Helen Ryan, chief executive officer of Creganna Tactx Medical, will be among the speakers at the forum.
The paper also says that Caribbean mobile operator Digicel Group has completed a USD775 million bond issue. The finance will be used by Digicel Group to acquire its sister company, Digicel Pacific (DPL). The finance raised from the eight-year notes, which were priced at 10.5 percent, is required by Digicel to complete its proposed acquisition of a 51 percent stake in DPL, set to take place from April. The remainder of the company may be purchased at a later date.
The Irish Independent reports that California-based online games developer Zynga is to establish a base in Ireland. Zynga develops games such as 'Mafia Wars' and 'Farmville', which are widely used by subscribers to social networking sites. Zynga spokesperson Shernaz Daver confirmed the firm is in the process of setting up a base here. "We are expanding our operations into Ireland and will have more to talk about later," she said. She declined to elaborate on precise plans, but it is understood that the company plans to set up a sizeable operation here that will create jobs for highly trained people, including software developers.
The Irish Examiner says that Ireland has the main ingredients to drive innovation, according to an EU-wide survey, but is being let down by poor follow-through by businesses, especially SMEs. Overall, the country was placed ninth of the 27 member states in terms of innovation performances, better than the EU average for the past five years. However, the rate of improvement is slower than the average, putting the country into the category of "innovation followers". The take-up of lifelong learning programmes, the availability of private credit and the increase in broadband access by firms put the country ahead of most others. But businesses and especially SMEs have reduced their efforts to develop and encourage entrepreneurs, new products and services, the study said.
According to the Wall Street Journal, HTC, the Taiwan-based maker of Google's Nexus One phone, says it plans to mount an aggressive defence against a patent infringement lawsuit brought by Apple. The iPhone maker filed suits early this month alleging HTC devices, including the Nexus One, violated 20 of its patents. HTC offered no details about how or when it would respond to the suit, but said it would fight the allegations. "HTC strongly disagrees with Apple's actions," said Jason Gordon, director of global communications for the company. "We plan to use all legal tools at our disposal not just to defend ourselves but to set the record straight."
The paper also reports that Google has lined up some big partners, including Intel and Sony, in its quest to move its technology into the living room, sources say. The joint effort, which is in its preliminary stages, includes software to help users navigate among web-based offerings on television sets. The technology could be included with future TVs, Blu-ray players or set-top boxes, these people said. Logitech, a maker of PC accessories, is also playing a significant role in the effort. A spokesman for Google declined to comment.
In more news of Google, the Financial Times says that social networking site Facebook has overtaken Google's popularity among US internet users. Research firm Hitwise said the two sites accounted for 14 percent of all US internet visits last week. Facebook's homepage recorded 7.07 percent of traffic and Google's 7.03 percent. It is the first time that Facebook.com has enjoyed a weekly lead over Google.com. Heather Dougherty of Hitwise said Facebook had "reached an important milestone" with the weekly figures.
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