IN THE PAPERS
In the papers 27 August
27-08-2007
by Ciara O'Brien
Intel relaunches vPro platform | Digital camera sales soar
The Irish Independent reports that China has hacked into the computers of Angela Merkel's chancellery and three other German ministries, in an extraordinary economic espionage operation that threatens to blight the German leader's already delicate trip to Beijing this week. The claims, made in a detailed investigation by Der Spiegel magazine, were denied strenuously by the Chinese authorities. The magazine said that the hacking operation was discovered in May and that PCs in the Chancellery and the foreign, economics and research ministries had been targeted. Merkel is travelling to China with senior business executives already determined to put concern about product piracy high on the agenda.
The Financial Times reports that Intel is trying to reignite interest in a new processor technology for the large corporate PC market. The chipmaker will on Monday unveil a new version of its vPro platform -- a brand first launched early last year -- which combines chips with software, some of it supplied by other companies, and is designed to make it easier for corporate IT departments to protect and manage large numbers of computers.
The Wall Street Journal says that a bipartisan effort in the US Congress to overhaul the patent system is encountering resistance due to concerns the US might be exposed to greater foreign competition. Patent overhaul appeared to be on a fast track earlier this summer, but plans for a quick vote got derailed last month after the AFL-CIO entered the debate, warning that innovation -- and union-backed manufacturing jobs -- might be at risk if the changes were adopted. The union has expressed concerns about provisions that would expose patents to expanded challenges and might limit damages for infringement.
According to the same paper, Sanyo Electric is expected to pick a buyer for its semiconductor unit this week, ending a bidding war among private-equity funds and Japanese electronics makers. At least six groups are bidding for Sanyo Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Sources close to the deal say two private-equity consortia are among the bidders. One consists of Francisco Partners Management, CCMP Capital Asia and Longreach Group. The other includes Blackstone Group, Vestar Capital Partners and CVC Capital Partners.
The paper also notes that Yahoo is introducing new features to its web-based e-mail program, including software that allows users to type text messages and send them directly to someone's mobile phone. The enhancements make it easier to send e-mail, instant messages or text messages from a single site. It will take up to six weeks for all of the new features to become available to all 254 million Yahoo Mail subscribers worldwide.
The Sunday Tribune reports that the YouTube ad model unveiled last week by the online video site represented an evolution in internet advertising. The Google-owned website is to add semi-transparent ad layers across the bottom of video clips, which will vanish after 10 seconds if the advertisement is not clicked on by the user.
According to the same paper, Microsoft's recent price reduction for its Xbox 360 console puts more pressure on Sony to follow suit. The 20GB version of Microsoft's console has been cut by EUR50 to 359.99, while the Core system sells for EUR279.99. In contrast, the PS3 sells for EUR629.99. Sony has been rumoured to be considering a price cut since last month, when Chief Executive Howard Stringer mentioned the possibility in an interview.
The paper also speculates that a shift in the digital camera market is taking place, with compact camera sales only growing 3 percent last year. This compares to 152 percent growth in high-definition camcorder sales, and a 51 percent increase in high-end digital SLR sales. The low sales for compact cameras are being attributed partly to a saturated market, and increased competition from cameraphones.
The Sunday Business Post reports that Google has signed a deal with building management firm Vector, which will see the Irish firm take charge of the management of Google's buildings in 15 countries. The deal is worth EUR5.4 million a year and is initially set to last for three years.
The paper also reports that Trintech's good second quarter results have impacted on its share prices, with Davy Stockbrokers suggesting a USD5 target price for shares.
Also reported in the same paper was the news that Dublin-based travel software company Datalex incurred a USD1 million net loss for the first six months of 2007. This is particularly disappointing, given the USD1.6 million profit the firm earned in the same period last year. The company is blaming the pressure of costs and the weak dollar for the turnaround in fortunes.
The paper also reports that RTE experienced a substantial increase in the number of 'Rose of Tralee' live streams downloaded, which was up 25 percent to 14,000. More than 25 percent of the downloads came from Irish viewers, while users from the US, Britain and 52 other countries also logged on to the broadcaster's site to see the show.
According to the Sunday Times, Ireland was one of 12 countries worldwide to increase revenue from sales of music, thanks to online downloads and sales through 3G phones. Sales of recorded music increased 6 percent, including an additional EUR2.9 million in digital music sales.
The same newspaper reports that a new software-based program for the brain, MindFit, is to be launched by leading neuroscientist Baroness Susan Greenfield. The program, which is already being sold in the US, will be launched next month and uses interactive puzzles to stimulate the brain, which is intended to prevent age-related decline.
The newspaper also says that the new text service Headsup, launched by the Rehab Group, is increasing the strain on Ireland's stretched voluntary helplines. The free text service, which got more than 5,900 requests in the first 10 days of operation, sends contact details for 25 organisations to texters, including Childline and Bodywhys. However, the organisations say they are unable to answer a large percentage of calls received.
The Sunday Independent reports that Aer Lingus has come under fire from customers who buy online, after the airline made a number of changes to its site. Irate customers are complaining that the alterations mean that they are being charged for travel insurance they did not necessarily want, after the site made the insurance "opt out" instead of "opt in". People who do not want the insurance must tick a box to indicate this. The Consumer Association of Ireland has warned shoppers to be aware of what they are buying before they pay, including the extra charges.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 