Thursday, October 18, 2012

Web Summit Dublin

An estimated 4,000 people attended the conference, while over 250 startups populated the main hall's stands as they sought to attract customers and investors.

On the main stage a range of speakers, including film director Barry Sonnenfeld and Moshi Monsters creator Michael Acton Smith addressed attendees and spoke about their experiences with technology.

A US-based startup, SmartThings, won the Electric Ireland Spark of Genius Award winner, taking home a €100,000 cash prize, along with support and help from industry experts.

The company offers a way for users to remotely control things in their house, like door locks and light switches, remotely through their smartphone.

The company's CEO Alex Hawkinson said winning the prize would help the company to increase its exposure and grow its customer base.

He also said Ireland had been an "incredible host" and he would like to see them open an office in the country in the near future.

While the Dublin Web Summit is now over, many of the conference's guests will now move on to the smaller .Founders event.

.Founders enables successful entrepreneurs, investors and technology experts to hold closed-door meetings and talks from this evening through to Saturday.

Many of the bigger names from the conference are due to attend, as are a number of so-far unnamed special guests.

Earlier, AOL Chief Executive Tim Armstrong said at the summit today that he is planning further expansion of the company's Irish operation.

Source : RTE News 18th October 2012

Nasdaq halt Google for a while

The value of shares on the NASDAQ fell by 9% before trading in the stock was suspended.
Google has blamed a financial printing firm for releasing its earnings.

The record filed shows profits dropped to $2.18bn (€1.7bn) in the three months to the end of September, compared to the previous year.

Companies typically release results either before trading opens or after the market closes.

This gives investors time to scrutinise the financial reports and company statements before making trading decisions.

The filing made by the company to the stock exchange contains the line "pending Larry quote".
The reference appears to be to Larry Page, Google's chief executive.

A Google spokesperson said: "Earlier this morning RR Donnelley, the financial printer, informed us that they had filed our draft 8K earnings statement without authorization.

"We have ceased trading on NASDAQ while we work to finalize the document.

"Once it's finalized we will release our earnings, resume trading on NASDAQ and hold our earnings call as normal at 1:30 Pacific Time."