A round-up of today's other stories in brief.

Apple gears up to make faster iPhone

Apple has placed a manufacturing order for 10 million iPhones that can download using faster 3G networks, according to IT group Gartner.

Analyst Ken Dulaney cited an unnamed source in Asia, where the devices will be built. The iPhones may also have a screen that is thinner and consumes less power than the current version.

The current handset does not support the network speeds that buyers in Europe and Asia demand, Mr Dulaney said. - (Bloomberg)

New funding for software group

Dublin software company CustomerMinds.com, which has developed an online marketing platform, has completed a second round of funding of €1.1 million from private backers and Enterprise Ireland.

It brings total investment in the company to €1.7 million and the funds will be used for expansion into the UK market.

Search engines on the march

Search engines are now regularly used by 83 per cent of Irish internet users, according to new research by Amárach Consulting.

Google dominates, with 96 per cent of searchers favouring it and 97 per cent of those surveyed saying they find the first link they click on to be relevant.

The online survey of 500 internet users was completed in advance of the Search Marketing World 2008 conference, which takes place at the Crowne Plaza Dublin Northwood hotel next Thursday, April 3rd.

500 to attend Microsoft event

The third annual Irish Microsoft Technology Conference will take place in Dublin's Cineworld complex from next Wednesday, April 2nd, until Friday, April 4th.

The event is expected to attract more than 500 participants to hear speakers from an Irish and international panel.

Multis puts down roots in the Valley

Galway technology firm Multis has opened an office in Silicon Valley to support its expansion.

Multis chief executive Seán Keenan said he was "excited to be planting roots in Silicon Valley", which would place the company close to key customers like Sun and HP.

Smart rolls out new broadband pack

Smart Telecom has launched a new range of broadband products for businesses, with speeds ranging from two megabits per second to 15 megabits per second and priced from €40.96 to €145.96.

The packages have no usage limits and no sharing of lines and will be available to more than 49,000 business customers.