TECH SHORTS:Facebook is preparing to launch its blockbuster initial public offering (IPO) in the US in the later part of next year, although the public debut by the social networking site had widely been anticipated earlier, say people familiar with the company.

The IPO, forecast to be one of the world's biggest with recent private share sales valuing Facebook at more than $66.5 billion (€48 billion), had been expected to come by the spring and there had been persistent speculation that it could even be this year.

However, sources indicate that chief executive Mark Zuckerberg wants to wait until later in the year to keep employees focused on product developments rather than a payout.

Drive to highlight 2,500 vacancies

An online marketing campaign will be publicised today to highlight that more than 2,500 jobs are available in Irish-owned software companies.

The initiative, called “IT’s Happening Here”, is a collaboration between local software houses and Enterprise Ireland. The centrepiece of the campaign is a video, featuring Dublin band Miracle Bell’s new single Love Sounds, which features workers in the local sector explaining its attraction.

“The indigenous sector doesn’t have the recruitment budgets of the multinationals and very often can’t afford to use recruitment agencies either. This means they can get pushed out of sight of job seekers,” said Jarlath Dooley, who is leading the project.

Tech firm expands to exploit gap in US smartphone market

Dublin telecoms software firm The Now Factory has opened an office in Mountain View, California, to support the rapidly growing US smartphone market.

“We already count a number of Tier-1 Carriers in North America among our customers, but we see a huge opportunity for further growth,” said Tom Morrisroe, chief executive of The Now Factory.

The Dublin firm’s software allows service providers better manage subscribers’ data usage.