IN THE PAPERS
In The Papers 30 August
30-08-2010
by Sylvia Leatham
YouTube to launch pay-per-view movie service | Google acquires social apps firm Angstro
The Irish Independent reports that over 250,000 mobile phones have been collected in schools in the past year for the Jack & Jill Children's Foundation, which provides support for sick children and their families. The phones are recycled in developing countries and the money raised goes towards buying nursing care for sick children. For every 500 phones collected, a school receives an interactive whiteboard or other equipment for the classroom from the Jack & Jill Foundation.
The Financial Times reports that Nokia and Siemens are open to possible private equity investment in Nokia Siemens Networks, their network equipment joint venture. However, neither partner is seeking an early exit, according to executives at the Finnish mobile phone maker and German engineering group. Both parents confirmed that talks were under way with private equity companies interested in buying a stake in NSN, which has been a financial burden on the two groups for much of the three years of its existence.
The paper also says that Google's YouTube is in negotiations with leading movie studios to launch a global pay-per-view video service by the end of the year. According to sources, Google has been pitching to studios about the international appeal of a streaming, on-demand movie service tied to the world's most popular search engine and YouTube. Google will use its search technology and YouTube to direct viewers to the new service, which is likely to launch first in the US, with other countries added over time, sources said. Viewers will stream rather than download films and pay about USD5 for newer titles.
In more news of Google, the Wall Street Journal reports that the internet giant has acquired start-up Angstro, part of its efforts to build a robust social networking service. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In a post on Angstro's website, company founder Rohit Khare said he would continue Angstro's mission, which is to sort information about individuals found on the web, in his new role at Google. The post said Angstro's products included apps to discover new photos on Facebook, improve Caller ID by using LinkedIn profiles and create a real-time social-address book.
The paper also says that chip giant Intel is finalising a deal to acquire Infineon Technologies' wireless chip unit for less than USD1.5 billion, according to sources. The deal could be announced as soon as Monday, but people familiar with the matter cautioned that the talks could still fall apart. Infineon's chips are used in smartphones. Intel declined to comment.
The paper also notes that Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is suing Apple, Google and nine other companies, alleging they violate patents Allen financed more than a decade ago. The software guru claims internet giants such as Google, Facebook and eBay have built their businesses around what he says is his technology. Allen did not develop any of the technology himself but he owns the patents. "This lawsuit against some of America's most innovative companies reflects an unfortunate trend of people trying to compete in the courtroom instead of the marketplace," said a Google spokesman.
The Sunday Business Post reports that the communications regulator ComReg has warned mobile network O2 Ireland not to change its customers to online bills without their explicit permission. The operator said recently it would be moving all of its bill pay customers to online billing, a move that has provoked some criticism. Those over 65 would not be affected, the mobile firm said. Customers would have to request paper bills. ComReg, however, believes that paper bills should be issued unless customers request otherwise.
The paper also reports on a new business that is seeking to replace the traditional leaflet drop. EasyDeals.ie is hoping its online marketing service that allows companies to advertise their special offers will replace direct mail. More than 500 companies have already signed up. Consumers can search the site for deals and more than 20,000 have visited the site in the past month. The site was set up by entrepreneurs Des Martin and Andrew Mullaney.
The same paper says that Irish jobs could be threatened by a new online betting tax. The paper quotes Paddy Power, which recently moved part of its online bingo team to London, as saying that the tax could put the company at a disadvantage. Chief Executive Patrick Kennedy said the firm would continue to recruit in Ireland but warned that job creation plans here could only go ahead if all operators are treated fairly. The uncertainty stems from the government's plans to bring in a new online betting tax.
The Sunday Tribune reports that those behind last week's reported cyber attack on the CAO website could possibly have accessed some personal data of candidates. The paper said education officials could not rule out the possibility that details of candidates' names, CAO application numbers and birth dates may have been obtained. However, the CAO said it has a "very high level of confidence" that none of the attacks got through to its detailed database.
The same paper says that Google is to set up a company in Ireland that will handle calls that users make from their PCs in Europe. The new service, which was previously launched to US users, will allow users to make calls within Gmail through the Google Talk program. It will also offer a voicemail replacement service, the paper says, and an international calling service that will allow users to receive text messages and route calls.
The paper also reports briefly on the a new service set up by Web Reservations founder Ray Nolan that is expected to rival LinkedIn. The job networking site, Worky, will offer many of the same features as LinkedIn, including profiles and networks.
The Sunday Tribune also says that a study by analytics and internet company TubeMogul showed that at least 10 performers, writers and producers have earned more than USD100,000 each over the past 12 months from short films on YouTube.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 