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Irish companies strike gold in Vegas
10 January 2010 By Adrian Weckler in Las Vegas
Amid announcements of 3D television and flying robots, a number of Irish firms completed deals at the world’s biggest technology trade show in Las Vegas last week.
Two Dublin firms, Amulet Devices and Dial2Do, announced funding deals and new partnerships at the annual Consumer Electronics Show.
The show, which ends today, featured 2,700 exhibitors, including the biggest technology firms in the world.
Amulet Devices announced €400,000 in new funding, split evenly between Enterprise Ireland and the company’s senior management. The funds will be used to support the company’s expansion into the US, according to Pat Lawless, president of Amulet USA.
The firm also revealed a trade deal with SMK, the world’s largest manufacturer of remote control units. Amulet makes voice-controlled remote control technology that is designed to work with Microsoft Windows Media entertainment systems.
Dial2Do makes voice-activated technology that can dictate and send text messages and e-mails from any phone. The company, which is moving into the area of hands-free car kits, has announced a product deal with Bluetrek, a Bluetooth device firm.
‘‘This is going to be a critical year for us," said Ivan McDonald, chief executive of Dial2Do,which recently raised €1million in funding. ‘‘The US government looks set to crack down on texting while driving. That puts our technology in a special place. It’s no coincidence that we’ve placed our stall here among the big automobile players."
Muzu TV, the Dublin-based online music video channel, announced a deal with Samsung, the largest exhibitor at CES.
As part of the Korean manufacturer’s new Samsung Apps service for televisions and mobile phones, Muzu TV will feature as an application on internet-connected Samsung televisions.
Samsung also confirmed that it was in discussions with RTE about including the national broadcaster’s online Player service as part of its Apps service.
However, several Irish firms that were hoping to attend CES to research merchandise were unable to travel, due to bad weather conditions at Irish and British airports. Enterprise Ireland sent a representative to observe the Las Vegas conference.
Overall, the number of CES exhibitors was down slightly on last year, reflecting the global recession. However, confidence at the show was high, buoyed by renewed interest in technologies including 3D television and mobile internet applications.
Samsung, Sony, Panasonic and Toshiba all announced new 3D television sets, which will require the use of 3D glasses.
The first sets, which will be available in sizes up to 65 inches, are expected in Irish shops from March, according to a spokesman for Samsung.
US television networks also reaffirmed their commitment to 3D television, with ESPN and the Discovery Channel announcing 3D stations in 2010. Closer to home, BSkyB has also committed to launching a 3D television channel this year.
Buoyed by the $1 billion box-office success of the 3D film Avatar, film studio executives were at the show to explain why they are backing the new format.
‘‘3D has proven to be very big business for film studios and a great way to contain piracy," said Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive of Dreamworks, the studio behind Shrek and Monsters Vs Aliens.
‘‘Ten out of the top 170 films in 2009 were in 3D. And four of the top ten films were in 3D. We decided in 2007 to make all of our films in 3D."
Motor companies were also bullish about new technologies, with Ford showcasing new networking and interactive displays in its next line of standard saloon vehicles.
Although an expected touch-screen tablet device from Microsoft did not materialise, details about the software giant’s next operating system, Windows 8, began to emerge at CES.
According to Microsoft exhibitors, the next operating system will feature a ‘‘three screen’’ strategy, concentrating on television, the internet and mobile devices.
While CES set the technological agenda for the coming year, the year’s largest adult entertainment convention took place in the adjoining Sands convention centre. However, Irish CES delegates were concentrating firmly on making sales and deals.
‘‘We got a huge amount out of this conference last year," said Eddy Carroll, chief technical officer with Amulet Devices. ‘‘We got a lot of very significant leads, and made very good contacts with Microsoft.
We went home with 200 contracts."
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