IN THE PAPERS
In The Papers 23 March
23-03-2009
by Sylvia Leatham
Voting machines will never be used: Gormley | Skype to enter business market
The Irish Times reports that Minister for the Environment John Gormley has said it is "inconceivable" that the State's EUR52 million electronic voting machines will ever be used. Gormley confirmed that he had written to party colleague Mary White this week informing her that it would cost EUR28 million to make the voting machines -- which have been in storage for more than three years -- suitable for use. He said three major problems were now associated with the project: the high costs associated with introducing the system; continuing controversies over e-voting in Holland and Germany; and a lack of public confidence in e-voting.
The Wall Street Journal says that Skype plans to enter the corporate market with its internet telephony services. The VoIP provider plans to announce a version of its internet calling software that connects to corporate phone systems. The new software is expected to allow employees to make domestic and international calls using regular office telephones, instead of a headset plugged into a PC. Initially, the company will charge about USD0.021 per minute for calls to mobile phones and fixed lines, but calls from computers to phone systems using the Skype software will be free. The new product is called 'Skype for SIP'.
The paper also reports that teams of IBM lawyers are examining Sun Microsystems' contracts and documents in a due diligence process that could take a number of days, according to sources. The lawyers' review was described by these people as standard practice at IBM. They also said they continue to expect that IBM will proceed with an acquisition of Sun that could be worth between USD6.5 billion and USD8 billion. Spokespeople for both companies have declined to comment on any talks.
According to the Financial Times, Warner Brothers is launching a service that makes hundreds of out-of-circulation classic movies and television shows available for download and purchase on DVD. The new service does not involve any contemporary, well-known titles and will probably remain a small source of revenue for the company. The Warner Brothers Archive Collection service will allow consumers to download or buy DVDs of movies such as 'Possessed', starring Clark Gable and Joan Crawford, and 'Once Upon a Honeymoon', which stars Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers
The Sunday Tribune reports that HP asked more than 1,000 employees to take a week's holiday or unpaid leave last week, despite announcing 500 new jobs. The company said the move was down to "operating efficiencies". Another week off is planned for next month, but the company has denied it is planning redundancies.
The Sunday Independent writes that Irish researchers are trying to come up with a 'smart' sat nav device that will help improve congestion by directing drivers around traffic jams and car crashes. The project, Strategic Research in Advanced Geotechnologies, is being funded to the tune of EUR7.5 million, and is hoping to produce an 'intelligent' transportation device that will also help improve road safety by keeping drivers up-to-date with possible dangers, including weather and heavy traffic. The device will have real-time sensors and will provide information through direct video links. The device is being developed by researchers at NUI Maynooth, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin and the Dublin Institute of Technology.
The Sunday Business Post says that a new social networking website for the rich, Affluence.org, has been launched, with members required to prove they are worth EUR2.2 million or have a household income of EUR220,000 before they are granted access. The site is promising access to other millionaires and billionaires, and concierge services for events like invite-only parties.
The Sunday Business Post also says that Belfast-based mobile firm SLA Mobile has signed a deal with US-based Fox mobile distribution, part of the TV group Fox Entertainment. The deal, which will see SLA's technology implemented by Fox to deliver content from shows such as 'The Simpsons' to mobile customers in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, will be worth millions in revenue over a five-year period. Indonesia will be first to get the new service.
The paper also reports that Irish streets are going to be mapped by Google for its Street View application, with several reports of vehicles sighted in Dublin and Cork. Limerick, Galway and Waterford will also be photographed for the service, which shows streetside views of public places in major cities.
The paper reports that Kildare firm Digital Mags Online has launched in Australia and plans further expansion later this year once it raises more funding. The company, which offers a digital sales service for publishers, provides a hosted retail platform for magazines so publishers can get their content online. The firm now has more than 300 titles on its website, and has signed deals with more than 100 publishers. It recently began expanding into Britain and Australia, and aims to have US titles on its website by 2010.
The paper also reports that Belfast firm APT Licensing has sold its broadcast hardware division to European firm Audemat. The multi-million-euro deal comes after the division became a subsidiary company in January of this year, and will allow APT to concentrate on technology for the consumer electronics market.
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