A roundup of today's other stories in brief.
Joint venture on electronic wallets
Technology companies and mobile operators joined forces this week to plan a global standard for electronic wallets in mobile phones.
Developers described a future where consumers around the world touch a terminal with a mobile phone and access a range of services. "Consumers will be able to enjoy multiple applications such as payment and transport ticketing from various service providers on one device," they said.
Sony and Dutch-based NXP Semiconductors - formerly Philips Semiconductors - said they would create a joint venture, to be established by the middle of next year, that will plan, develop, produce and market a secure chip that will include both companies' contactless chip card formats: Mifare and FeliCa. - (Reuters)
Opportunities for tech start-ups
Tallaght's Institute of Technology is offering office space and support to one young technology-based business in its Synergy Centre competition.
The event, run in association with The Irish Times is designed to support hi-tech start-up companies. Apart from a year's free space in a 23sq m self-contained office that seats four people in the Synergy Centre based at the Institute of Technology, Tallaght (ITT), the winner will have access to training courses and the Synergy Centre's facilities.
The competition is open to any start-up that has been running for fewer than three years. Applicants have to be in high-tech or knowledge-intensive industries and should demonstrate growth potential in the export and employment areas.
The closing date for entries is next Thursday, November 30th.
Garda signs biometric deal
The Garda has signed a contract with a consortium led by consultants Accenture for the introduction of a biometric finger-printing system.
Biometrics group Daon, in which financier Dermot Desmond is a significant investor, and Motorola will be involved in the delivery of the new system.
Migraine website wins award
The Migraine Association of Ireland's website - www.migraine.ie - has won an award for the best use of technology. The company was honoured at the Irish Healthcare Pharmaceutical Awards. The website, which was redesigned by Health Hub, has seen a threefold increase in visitors since its relaunch.
Cosac founder honoured
The Computer Security Institute has, for the first time in its 33-year history, honoured someone from outside North America with a lifetime achievement award. David Lynas, the Northern Ireland-based founder of Cosac is the first person to receive the award since 2002.
