Tech Shorts

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

Magnet launches online TV and music service

Magnet Networks has launched Aertv.ie, a live online television service which is registration-free. It provides access to a package of Irish and international television channels including RTÉ One, RTÉ Two, TV3, TG4, France 24 and Russia Today.

It will also broadcast its own music channel, AerTV Music, which will stream selected gigs from the 100 bands playing at the Hard Working Class Heroes music festivals in Dublin this weekend. The service, which was launched as Magnet Web TV over the summer but required user registration, has an integrated Twitter and Facebook facility.

Former TV3 executive Philippe Brodeur is heading up the new service. Magnet chairman Ken Peterson said the service would be funded by advertising and sponsorship.

Kernel leads investment in Biocroí

Kernel Capital through the Bank of Ireland MedTech Accelerator Fund has led an €800,000 investment in Biocroí, a medical technology company spun out of research at Trinity College Dublin.

The Kernel fund contributed €500,000 with the remainder of the funding coming from Enterprise Ireland and private investors.

Founded in 2009, Biocroí has developed nanotechnology-based tools which help speed up the process of drug discovery and advanced research.

Dr Jim Walsh, will join its board as a non-executive director to represent Kernel.

Mcor scheme to provide free 3D printer

Mcor Technologies, the manufacturer of the paper-based Matrix 300 3D printer, has launched a scheme to provide the device free to customers.

The freeDcampaign provides the printer free to customers who agree to sign up to one of three print service plans, which are priced from £9,950 (€11,400).

Mcor’s printer, which was launched three years ago, produces 3D models using standard A4 paper.

Dr Conor MacCormack, chief executive of Co Louth-based Mcor, said the new pricing plan would help the company achieve its goal of “delivering a low cost, eco-friendly 3D printer and now our vision is to take it to the next level, making the technology truly accessible to everyone”.

Sony close to smartphone buyout

Sony is close to competing a deal to buy out Ericsson’s stake in its 50:50 smartphone joint venture, the Wall Street Journal has reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The joint venture’s two parent companies have regularly discussed the nature of Sony Ericsson’s ownership structure, according to the report. It said the talks were ongoing and could break apart at any time.

Ericsson and Sony declined to comment on the reported talks. “We have a long-term commitment to our joint ventures,” said an Ericsson spokesman.

Many analysts say Japan’s Sony needs to assert control over Sony Ericsson if the venture is to recoup market share in the cut-throat world of smartphones.