IN THE PAPERS
In The Papers 25 March
25-03-2011
by Deirdre McArdle
Havok tech to feature in Xperia Play phone | EU launches e-gambling consultation
The Irish Times reports that US mobile electronics and accessories firm Zagg has confirmed it is planning a "PR event" on 15 April to announce plans relating to a manufacturing facility in Shannon. Local reports have suggested Zagg has partnered with a small Co Clare manufacturing firm to establish a new facility in Shannon, which will see up to 300 staff employed by 2014. Zagg said it had nothing to announce "right now" but all would be revealed in mid-April.
The paper also says that revenues at medical devices firm ClearStream Technologies increased by 56 percent in the six months to the end of January to EUR9.11 million. The firm recorded a profit of EUR120,000 in the period, reversing a EUR700,000 loss in the previous six months, and noted that trading during the first half of the current financial year had been buoyant.
The paper also says that gaming technology firm Havok has partnered with Sony Ericsson in a deal that will see Havok's technology used in the Xperia Play phone. The Xperia Play is expected to launch in the coming days.
The paper also reports that three physicists from Trinity College Dublin are behind the launch of a new device that analyses skin damage and helps dermatologists and aesthetic practitioners achieve better results with treatments for skin problems such as sun damage and acne. Guido Mariotto, Roman Kantor and Igor Shvets have been working on the technology behind the device -- the Antera 3D -- for five years and they have set up a spin-out company, Miravex, to commercialise it.
The same paper reports on the launch of Shhmooze, a free mobile app that uses location-based services to help people connect with the "right" contacts at networking events. Last month Shhmooze was one of 20 apps from around the world shortlisted for the Mobile Premier Awards.
The paper also says that at CTIA, the biggest telecoms industry event in North America, Cubic Telecom launched a promotion for US mobile phone users to receive calls and SMS messages from the US at no cost when they travel to Europe.
The same paper reports that 3V has won a contract with Visa to produce a one-off debit card which can be used to purchase tickets for the London Olympics.
According to the same paper, the Criminal Justice Interoperability Programme, a joint project between the Courts Service and the Garda, which co-ordinates data between the two bodies, has won the overall Ireland eGovernment Award.
The Irish Independent reports that the EU is launching a consultation process on internet gambling. The commission said that it hoped to determine whether current rules applicable to online gambling services at an EU level were fit to ensure the "overall co-existence" of national legislative systems. Bookmaker Paddy Power has welcomed the consultation.
The Irish Examiner reports that the GAA is to trial Hawk-Eye technology in the resolution of goal-line disputes on 2 April at a series of games at Croke Park.
The paper also says that the Supreme Court is expected to be asked next May to grant a priority hearing of appeals which will determine if two unsuccessful bidders for the state's second mobile phone licence can proceed with actions challenging the manner in which the licence was allocated in 1995 to Esat Digifone.
The paper also reports on the launch of the iPad 2 and the Nintendo 3DS console in Irish shops on Friday.
The Financial Times reports that Oracle has posted a 37 percent increase in quarterly revenues to USD8.8 billion, with net income rising 78 percent to USD2.1 billion, or USD0.41 a share. A better than expected 29 percent rise in revenue from new software licences pushed the company’s earnings above its own and Wall Street forecasts.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 