Today's other stories in brief
Preview of Live Mesh now available
Microsoft's Live Mesh service, which allows information sharing between multiple PCs, Macs and Windows mobile devices, is available in Ireland as a technology preview.
By installing the Live Mesh software on the devices, information can be accessed on them over the web, files and folders can be synchronised, the devices can be remotely controlled and information can be shared with other users. Part of Microsoft's "software plus services" strategy, the currently free service can be found at www.livemesh.com.
Norkom agrees Australian deal
Irish software firm Norkom Technologies, which provides technology to counter financial crime and fraud, has signed a deal with Australian building society, Newcastle Permanent. Newcastle has purchased Norkom's pre-packaged compliance products to enable it to meet new legal requirements.
Muzu TV lands ITN video content
Muzu TV, the recently launched music video platform, has signed a content deal with ITN which gives it access to 80,000 hours of video. This includes Reuters, Granada and Channel 4 interviews and performances, as well as daily music news and interviews from ITN's multimedia division ITN On.
100m Canon digital cameras shipped
Canon has confirmed that it shipped its 100 millionth compact digital camera this month. Under the PowerShot and IXUS brand names, 106 models have been sold since Canon released the PowerShot 600 in 1996.
MobileAware signs reselling contract
MobileAware, the Irish maker of software that allows employees and customers to interact with business applications on their mobile phone, has signed a reseller agreement with British firm Arqiva to make sales to police forces in Britain and Ireland.
Intel processor sales beat targets
Sales of Intel's Atom processors, designed for consumer electronics gadgets and super-slim personal computers, are topping company targets as the world's largest chipmaker seeks to expand beyond a slowing PC market. - (Reuters)
Abbott Labs to shed 1,000 jobs
Abbott Laboratories said yesterday it would eliminate about 1,000 jobs over the next four years as part of a plan to cut costs in its medical diagnostics business.
The company, which has 68,000 employees worldwide and also makes prescription drugs, said its diagnostics business has been performing very strongly with sales growth of 16 percent in the first half of 2008.
The plan includes the closing of a clinical chemistry plant in South Pasadena, California, and transferring production of some diagnostic products to plants in Europe. Abbott has two diagnostics operations in Ireland - in Sligo and Longford. - (Reuters)
Havok seek Irish game developers
Irish gaming software group Havok has launched a worldwide competition with a prize fund of $40,000 to find the next big thing in game developing.
The Havok Physics Innovation Contest challenges amateur game developers to create an playable PC game demo using the Intel-sponsored no-charge PC version of "Havok Physics". One of the prizes on offer is open only to third level students in Ireland. Four winners will be chosen. Further details are available at www.havok.com/ contest.
