IN THE PAPERS
In The Papers 14 February
14-02-2011
by Sylvia Leatham
Nokia gives details of Microsoft deal | Apple developing cheaper iPhones: source
The Irish Times reports that a 'hackathon' is taking place in NUI Galway as part of its celebration of Engineers Week. The "open data hack day" is one of the highlights of a programme opening at Ireland's first computer and communications museum on the NUIG campus. A vintage computer gaming night on 'dinosaur' computers and talks on space exploration and the influence of the 1960s television series Star Trek are among other elements of the six-day festival. For more information on the festival, which involves nearly 150 events around the country, see Engineersweek.ie.
The paper also says that Sony Ericsson has unveiled its new PlayStation phone in Barcelona to attendees of the Mobile World Congress. The Android-based Xperia Play handset is part of Sony's bid to regain ground in the portable games market. The Xperia Play will launch with about 50 titles and will run on Gingerbread, the newest version of Android. The device has a four-inch display, with controls similar to that of the regular PlayStation controller, although it features touch pads for controlling movement.
The Irish Examiner reports that the European Court of Justice is to issue a ruling later this week that could impact on the controversial proposals to designate Six Nations and Heineken Cup rugby matches involving Irish teams to be shown on free-to-air TV. The EU court will give a judgment on Thursday in a challenge by soccer's governing bodies, FIFA and UEFA, against some EU member states for reserving the broadcasting rights of major football tournaments to free-to-air channels because they are considered to be of national interest.
The Financial Times reports that TweetDeck is close to agreeing a USD30 million takeover deal by Silicon Valley's UberMedia, according to sources. More than 20 million people have downloaded TweetDeck's free software for updating and managing social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, since its launch in 2008. It is being courted by California-based UberMedia, which has recently acquired several other Twitter tools and services. TweetDeck and UberMedia did not respond to requests for comment.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Nokia has moved to counter perceptions that Microsoft got the better of the alliance unveiled on Friday. Nokia says that the Finnish company will receive billions of dollars in financial support from the US software giant to help develop and market smartphones using Microsoft's operating system. Nokia chief Stephen Elop on Sunday disclosed the Microsoft payments and other benefits Nokia will receive as a result of the deal between the two companies, under which Nokia will adopt Windows Phone as its main smartphone OS.
The paper also notes that Apple is working on a new line of less-expensive iPhones and an overhaul of software services for the devices, according to sources. One of these people, who saw a prototype of the phone late last year, said it is intended for sale alongside Apple's existing line. The new device would be about half the size of the iPhone 4. The new phone would be available to mobile operators at about half the price of the main iPhones. That would allow carriers to subsidise most or all of the retail price.
The Sunday Independent says that the IRA is on a list of possible suspects for the theft of 10 laptops from the Revenue Commissioners' head office last month. The laptops have been recovered but the sensitivity of the information has prompted suspicions that the theft may have been organised by someone whose tax affairs were under investigation. Detectives have been told that a company linked to a former IRA member was investigated by the Revenue Commissioners in the past. It is not known whether he is currently under investigation. A Garda source said this was just one theory that detectives were following up.
The Sunday Times reports that ESB Networks wants a portion of the mobile phone spectrum to be used for a new generation of smart meters it hopes to roll out to customers. ComReg will sell new mobile phone licences later this year. ESBN has asked for some of the spectrum used by mobile firms to be reserved for "critical infrastructure".
The paper also reports that Rothschild, the long-time financial adviser to the Eircom Employee Share Ownership Trust, has cut its ties with the ESOT and is now pitching to advise some of the company's senior lenders instead. A number of senior lenders have begun to organise themselves in anticipation of potential restructuring negotiations with the company. The group is hearing pitches in Dublin for financial and legal advisers.
The same paper says that Jerry Kennelly, the Kerry entrepreneur who sold Stockbyte to Getty Images in 2006, is targeting 1 million customers in the first year for Tweak, his new online venture. The site offers high-quality design and print services for SMEs.
The paper also reports that tech entrepreneur Ian Flitcroft plans to launch a new mobile marketing business in Britain. The Orbiscom co-founder plans to roll out the business in 10 UK cities by the end of the year. The new venture, Sotextme, gives mobile users extra credit for receiving ads via text message.
The Sunday Business Post reports that broadband provider Magnet has signed up more than 6,000 people to its free web TV service, which launched two weeks ago. The service streams live TV over the internet and allows people to tweet or post Facebook updates from the same screen.
The paper also notes that more than half of Irish people who are online browse a number of sites for news, according to research by Carat Ireland. Thirty percent of respondents said they liked the option of adding comment to news stories, and 28 percent said they liked to share news through social media. Only 8 percent said they would pay for online news.
The paper also notes that 70 Irish firms will attend the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2011 in Barcelona next week. Around 25 companies will exhibit at the event.
The same paper says that online backup provider Keepitsafe has announced a partnership with Datapac, whereby Datapac will offer Keepitsafe's service to its own customers.
The paper also notes that a majority of Irish engineers believe that broadband in Ireland is inadequate. A new study by Ipsos MRBI found that 69 percent of engineers said their companies cannot compete effectively internationally as long as Ireland's broadband level is below the EU average.
The paper also says that a survey by Aisling Foley Marketing shows that the number of Irish software firms using Twitter has doubled over the past year.
The paper also reports that IT services firm Enclave Technologies has purchased software provider Newmarket Solutions and said that further acquisitions are planned. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The paper also reports that a machine labelled the 'Laptop of Death' is being brought to Dublin this week by euthanasia campaigner Dr Philip Nitschke, the founder of assisted suicide advocacy group Exit International. The computer allows users to give themselves a lethal injection. Exit International will hold a seminar in Dublin on Thursday.
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