The Irish high kings of the internet of things; Irish govt sites hit by cyber attacks; and Google's Android money machine
Ten nuggets of knowledge to take away for the weekend, including: the Irish high kings of internet of things; Irish govt sites hit by cyber attacks; and Google’s Android money machine.
1. The Irish high kings of the internet of things
One of the hidden gems – until now – of the Irish tech industry, a company that is driving the internet of things opportunity for some of the biggest tech firms in the world, is a homegrown business that came out of Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, called Taoglas.
2. Irish Govt and private sites being inundated with DDoS attacks
Serious questions are being asked about the security of Ireland’s websites following a week of regular distributed denial of service attacks against Government websites, the Lotto’s website and Boards.ie.
3. 250 more jobs announced at Accenture in Dublin
Professional services company Accenture has announced a further 250 jobs for 2016, on top of 200 announced last September, rounding out to 450 jobs announced in just a few months.
4. Hollywood targets gamers in a big year for video-game movies
For the vaguely nerdy at heart, this is a very good year. A bevy of comic books movies are coming to a cinema near you, as are some YA big-hitters, and a whole host of sci-fi franchises and standalone efforts. It’s also the year, though, that video games go Hollywood in a big way.
5. Karen Duggan – kitting out for Ireland and Accenture
This Saturday (23 January), the Irish women’s football team is playing a friendly against one of its biggest opponents yet – Team USA, mid-victory tour. Taking to the San Diego field for the Ireland squad will be Karen Duggan, a talented midfielder and, in her day job, an analyst at Accenture.
6. CoderDojo teaching Davos – and Will.I.Am – how it’s done
You may all be aware that the World Economic Forum in Davos is underway. You may not be aware, though, that CoderDojo is there in force.
7. Tim Cook swoops into Brussels to lobby to maintain Irish tax rate
Apple CEO Tim Cook arrived with no fanfare in Brussels this week to lobby the European Union’s (EU) antitrust chief with the aim of ensuring the company doesn’t lose its agreement with the Irish Government regarding the amount of tax it pays.
8. CAO deadline: What are you going to do in college?
The deadline for CAO applications is just around the corner, with just a short week-and-a-half separating us from the date by which you have to pick the courses that will likely have a big impact on the course of your career.
9. €3m investment in accelerators to jump-start regional start-ups
The Irish Government has made €3m available to help kickstart the establishment of start-up accelerators outside of Dublin.
10. Android is a massive money machine for Google, court hears
Google has generated $31bn in revenues from its Android mobile operating system and most of that – some $22bn – is pure profit, according to figures disclosed in a court battle between Google and Oracle.
Smartphone user image via Shutterstock
