Journalists

Buffett partner and New York VC fund backing broadband 

Warren Buffett's business partner, Walter Scott, is to help bankroll the consortium aiming to win the Government's National Broadband Plan tender.

Buffett business partner to bankroll broadband bidder 

Warren Buffett's business partner, Walter Scott, is to help bankroll the consortium aiming to win the Government's National Broadband Plan tender.

Former newspaper editor is appointed to RTÉ board 

The former editor of 'The Sunday Business Post', Ian Kehoe, has been appointed by the Government to the board of RTÉ for a five-year term.

McCourt: Enet sale won't affect rollout of broadband plan 

THE Irish-American businessman at the forefront of Ireland’s National Broadband Plan tender bid has insisted that selling his 22pc stake in the bid’s lynchpin telecoms firm, Enet, will not weaken his involvement in the government-funded rural broadband scheme.

Key National Broadband Plan telecoms firm changes ownership 

A key telecoms firm to the forefront of the bid to secure the government’s National Broadband Plan contract has announced a change in ownership.

Ask Adrian: Our technology editor tackles your trickiest tech problem 

Question: I need to upgrade my iPhone 5 to a later iPhone on bill pay. I went to a mobile phone shop and found the price plans to be very confusing. I was also told that they don't keep phones in the shops so I couldn't even hold the phone to see what they are like in advance. I was wondering whether you could please do a comparison of the various iPhones to help me at least know what to ask for.

The Big Tech Show: A broadband clusterf***...what happens now? 

In a week that saw the resignation of the Minister responsible for the National Broadband Plan, Adrian asks some blunt questions about whether the whole rural rollout plan is going to be delayed and, if so, for what reasons.

Resetting the broadband bid would set back installation years 

As the dust settles on Denis Naughten's resignation as communications minister, what of the National Broadband Plan itself?

Irish entrepreneur sells €100m Handy Technologies to Nasdaq-listed Angi 

Oisin Hanrahan’s Handy Technologies, the on-demand ‘gig’ marketplace that lets people hire professionals for household services like cleaning, has been sold to Nasdaq-listed Angi Homeservices.

Explainer: A complete guide to the National Broadband Plan players - and what happens next 

IN THE immediate aftermath of Denis Naughten’s resignation as Communications Minister there are a few critical questions facing the National Broadband Plan. Here’s a complete guide to what happened, who’s involved and what might happen next.

NBP bidder McCourt set to sell Enet shares 

The Irish-American businessman David McCourt, who is the lead figure in the sole remaining bidder for the €1bn National Broadband Plan project, is to sell his shares in the consortium telecoms firm Enet.

Cosgrave gets in the end zone 

By any measure, €110m to stay in Lisbon for the next decade is a new level for the Web Summit.

Ask Adrian: Our technology editor tackles your trickiest tech problem 

Question: My husband surprised me with an anniversary present of a trip to Japan next month. We're only going for a week but I need to stay in touch with family during that period and I'm worried that it will cost me a fortune. Is there any clever way of avoiding exorbitant costs? Also, is there any fancy plug adaptor I need to bring? I have or a worldwide adaptor from a previous trip abroad - will that suffice?

The Big Tech Show: How to get €1m for your startup 

How do you ask for money for your startup?

Minister defends his dinner with broadband bidder 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar defended his Communications Minister after revelations about a dinner hosted by the head of the bidding team for a key state broadband contract.

Paddy Cosgrave's Web Summit secures new €110m deal to stay in Lisbon for ten years 

Paddy Cosgrave’s Web Summit has secured a whopping €110m from the Portuguese government to stay in Lisbon for the next 10 years.

Connected: Web Summit seals deal to remain in Lisbon 

The Web Summit looks set to remain in Lisbon for up to five more years, according to reports in the Portuguese media.

TV licence fee hikes RTÉ ruled out despite squeeze in funding 

RTÉ faces a mounting financial crunch as the Government ruled out an increase in the licence fee, despite a new report urging an "immediate" funding boost of €30m to stave off its decline.

Ask Adrian: Our technology editor tackles your trickiest tech problems 

Question My laptop HP 520 is 20 years old and I need a new one. I like HP and Microsoft Word. I use my laptop mainly for word processing. I do not need music streaming, movies, games or business applications. Can you suggest an affordable HP laptop which has the following features: lifetime MS Word 2016, MS Publishing, MS text editing, MS Defender, lots of memory, hollow keys (not flat) and at least two 'normal' USB ports. All my data is stored on Word 7 files. I assume that they can be accessed on Word 10. My price range is €500 to €600. I cannot afford a Surface Pro. - James M...

The Big Tech Show: Tommy Collison, our man in Seattle 

This week, Adrian talks tech and politics with Tommy Collison, an Irish transplant to Seattle.

Ask Adrian: Our technology editor tackles your trickiest tech problem 

Question: I'm due an upgrade to my iPhone 5S, which I've had for four years.

The Big Tech Show: Is the new iPhone worth the Xs price? Or should you wait for the iPhone Xr? 

With almost two weeks of rigorous testing under his belt, Adrian Weckler assesses the iPhone Xs and Xs Max.

Adrian Weckler reviews the latest iPhones 

Apple has released two new iPhones, with a third on the way.

Ireland's data centres are the front line in the war against cybercrime 

Adrian Weckler [AW]: You've pointed out that some exploits which end up in the wild are actually created by security agencies like the NSA. Do you think that's common for security agencies to do this?

WATCH: Is this the most powerful iPhone ever? A review of the Xs and Xs Max 

Apple says that it’s the most powerful iPhone ever. But with its new 6.5-inch display, it looks like nothing can stop the iPhone Xs Max from becoming even more of a substitute for your television and your camera.

Roaming still has a way to go 

Thought we'd fixed mobile roaming? Not quite. While it has largely been sorted out in the EU, new reports suggest it may return after Brexit.

Ask Adrian: Our technology editor tackles your trickiest tech problem 

The Big Tech Show: Apple’s big iPhone Xs launch (and a scary look into the future) 

This week, Adrian reports from Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California where he was on hand to test out the newly-launched iPhone Xs Max, Xs and Xr phones.

Could the new iPhone Xs be a real alternative to a camera? 

Is the new iPhone Xs a real alternative to a camera?

Sky is fined over lack of 'cooling-off period' 

Sky Ireland has been slapped with a €117,000 penalty by telecoms watchdog Comreg for not giving customers a 14-day 'cooling off period' when they signed up for television and broadband contracts.

Granny Apple - how new watch could save her life 

Is it time to get your granny an Apple Watch?

Communications watchdog 'needs powers and staff' 

Understaffing at communications regulator ComReg has left the authority "vulnerable", the watchdog's chairman has said.

Telecoms watchdog ready to roll out vital broadband verdict 

Ireland's telecoms industry is entering its most critical period of change since the Government privatised Telecom Eireann 20 years ago. Seminal issues include radical plans from Eir's new owner to overhaul its network, the future of landline competition and an unprecedented, State-backed rural broadband rollout to 540,000 Irish homes and businesses.

Latest Apple tech includes new watch that can detect your heart problems 

Apple believes our faces will become our "passports" as it unveiled three new iPhones at its annual showcase in California.

iPhone analysis: Are we sleep-walking into a world of facial recognition? 

I’ve just finished my first hands-on session with the new iPhones. They look and feel great.

First Look: Apple reveals three new iPhones and larger Apple Watch 

Apple has announced three new iPhones, led by a 6.5-inch large-screen model, the iPhone Xs Max.

New 'supersized' iPhone could cost €1,500 as Apple gets ready to launch 

Apple is tipped to unveil a new giant smartphone this week as part of an array of gadgets it will launch.

Eir in 'unjustified' charges showdown 

Eir is headed for a new broadband clash with Ireland's telecoms regulator over "unjustified" charges in rural Ireland.

No, Facebook isn't recording calls 

This is a conversation I now have at least once a month.

Ask Adrian: Our technology editor tackles your trickiest tech problem 

Question: I have two kids, one going into transition year and another starting her first year of college. They've been making do with a house laptop for a while but I want to get them each their own, especially as my eldest daughter is moving into campus accommodation. Can you recommend something decent that's not too expensive?

The Big Tech Show: For God’s sake, secure your devices 

This week, Adrian Weckler talks to the global IT security celebrity and virus hunter Mikko Hypponen.

Irish journalist becomes Bloomberg boss, running London bureau 

Irish journalist Neil Callanan has been appointed as London bureau chief of Bloomberg.

Fujifilm's new X-T3 camera is a potential Canon and Nikon killer 

Fujifilm has launched a new high-end mirrorless camera, the X-T3, that looks set to pile serious pressure on Canon, Nikon and Sony.

Silicon States shines a light into big tech's future plans 

If you have even the faintest interest in how the biggest tech issues might play out over the next five years, 'Silicon States: The Power and Politics of Big Tech and What It Means for Our Future', published by Counterpoint Press, is well worth your time.

How a drive to beat cancer helped build a billion-dollar company 

Ryan Smith is the co-founder of Qualtrics, the booming US tech company that has just announced hundreds of jobs in Dublin.

First look: Canon’s new mirrorless EOS R camera is very pricey 

Canon has released a ‘full frame’ mirrorless camera to compete with Sony, Nikon and other camera manufacturers.

Eir chief unveils €1bn plan to upgrade copper lines to fibre 

Eir has signalled the end of the copper landline in Ireland with a €1bn plan to replace them with fibre lines throughout the country within five years.

Adrian Weckler: Five reasons why we’re about to see a flood of camera discounts 

Thinking of buying a second-hand camera?

Eir signals end of copper landline in Ireland with €1bn fibre line plan 

Eir has signalled the end of the copper landline in Ireland with a €1bn plan to replace them with fibre lines throughout the country within five years.

Adrian Weckler: Why 8K TVs are a clear waste 

Last week in Berlin, hundreds of thousands gathered for IFA, the annual consumer tech trade show. I walked those halls for two days, sifting through what's good and bad. Here are a few tips and warnings as to what's coming down the line.

Ask Adrian: your tech problems solved 

Our technology editor tackles your trickiest tech problems.

The Big Tech Show: Ideas wanted: the Apple tech whizz who wants to help your startup 

This week, Adrian talks to Daniel Gross, who grew up in Israel and went to Silicon Valley as a teenager to seek fame and fortune through the famous accelerator, Y Combinator.

WATCH: Sony unveils €3,000 pet robot dog 'Aibo' who 'barks', whimpers and responds to commands 

Sony has unveiled a rebooted robot dog that it hopes might prove to be a digital companion for the elderly and the lonely.

First tech look: Sony's latest flagship phone - the Xperia XZ3 - is a disappointment 

Sony has launched what may be its last attempt at challenging Samsung, Apple and Huawei at the top of the smartphone pile.

Mobile gold: the winners and losers as Ireland's app economy hits $1bn 

One billion dollars - or €850m in our terms. It's a lot of money. But this is how much Ireland's app developers have earned from Apple's App Store over the last decade, according to recent figures.

Another Angle: For the love of God, put down the phones 

I screamed at the TV: "JUST PUT THE PHONE DOWN! HE'S RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF YOU!"

Collisons' Stripe turns investor with €7m punt on Nigerian startup 

Stripe, the $9bn online payments firm founded by Limerick brothers Patrick and John Collison, has led an investment round of $8m (€7m) in a Nigerian payments startup firm, Paystack.

Eir warns Comreg of legal action over 'unfair' USO costs 

Eir is threatening to sue the telecom regulator over what it calls the "unfair burden" of having to maintain rural telephone lines without State subvention.

Adrian Weckler: Is Dublin a 'real' tech city? 

Is Dublin a 'real' tech city? When talking among American and European acquaintances, we insist that it is. Of course it is, right? Sure isn't Dublin the home of Google and Facebook?

From pro tablets to security gadgets...Your essential guide to the best tech to boost business post-summer 

Best Android: Huawei P20 Pro (€899 or subsidised from networks)

Ask Adrian: Our tech editor tackles your trickiest technology problems 

Q My husband and I have just paid off our mortgage and are thinking of getting a really nice smartphone. We've always made do with basic models, usually Samsung. My husband got a Huawei on his last upgrade. We tend to keep our phones for as long as we can. Mine is almost five years old. Now that we can afford to spend more, is it worth changing to an iPhone? Is there a good Samsung or rival model that's worth spending the extra money on?

The Big Tech Show: Qualtrics founder Ryan Smith and his mission to battle cancer 

This week, Adrian sits down for an exclusive chat with Ryan Smith, the charismatic Utah founder of the €2bn software firm Qualtrics.

Technology firm announces 350 jobs for Dublin 

High rents and property prices are the "underbelly" of Dublin's tech employment boom, according to the founder of one of the world's fastest-growing tech companies.

Electric scooters are on right path to less congestion in cities 

Are electric scooters good or bad for Irish cities?

Three-quarters of firms struggling to hire IT staff 

Three-quarters of Irish organisations now find it difficult to source IT staff, a new study has found.

Good screen, decent specs, great price: budget smartphones come into their own with Vodafone's 5.5-inch Smart N9 

There was a time when most people would scoff at an own-brand smartphone. It's fair to say that Vodafone has established a decent track record in knocking those assumptions down.

VC chief warns dearth of seed funding is black cloud for startups here 

Thought everything looked golden for Irish tech startups? On paper, it's never looked better. Finance is booming, with more than €1bn in venture capital raised in Ireland over the last year, according to official figures.

37,000 Eir customers face data breach in laptop theft 

Some 37,000 Eir customers have been hit by a security breach after a staff laptop was stolen.

67pc Irish broadband is 'below minimum' 

Two-thirds of Irish households are getting broadband speeds lower than the minimum standard set by the Government, new research shows.

67pc Irish broadband is 'below minimum' 

Two-thirds of Irish households are getting broadband speeds lower than the minimum standard set by the Government, new research shows.

5 top gadgets to help you through college 

Adrian Weckler: Counting the cost of tech 'highs' 

Is Elon Musk a victim of the overly-pressurised modern work environment? Or is he simply an arrogant tech overlord?

Ask Adrian: Our tech editor tackles your trickiest technology problems 

Q I need help in deciding whether to buy the new iPad or iPad Pro. I have an eight-year-old MacBook Pro and am looking for a more portable option for work. Creating, editing and printing Word documents would be the main features I'd need. I would also use it for video watching, internet searches and reading, as well as for photos and photo editing. I plan to keep the one I choose for a long time. I would also want to use Microsoft Office as I have tons of Word documents that I would want access to on the new iPad so compatibility would be key. I would also hope to use a USB...

The Big Tech Show: Unwelcome guests on social media 

This week, Adrian and the panel discuss the thorny question of whether social media services should be allowed — or obliged — to kick people off for airing views and opinions that are considered extreme or dangerous.

Google escapes Irish data privacy investigation over tracking scandal 

Ireland’s data protection commissioner is not currently investigating Google’s data-tracking controversy as the tech giant has not yet officially incorporated its data protection residency here, according to a spokesman.

Microsoft's new Surface Go lets you work well on a budget 

Microsoft's laptops and pro-level tablet hybrids have always been fairly highly regarded, but have also been priced at Apple levels. Now the company has come up with a decent, viable portable laptop hybrid at a much more accessible price.

Why Twitter should kick Alex Jones and others off its network 

Should Infowars' Alex Jones be kicked off Twitter? That question is inseparable from this one: is Twitter a public space or a private network? If it's the latter, Twitter boss Jack Dorsey can do whatever he likes. In which case arguments about freedom of speech being trampled on lose most of their force.

Sending out an SOS: €70m for 150 startups to help save the world 

Sean O'Sullivan has a limited amount of sympathy for Elon Musk. The Irish-American tech investor, who sits atop one of the most active venture capital firms in the world in terms of startups covered, is talking to me a day after Musk drove the financial world nuts with a tweet about "taking Tesla private".

O'Sullivan scoops €30m from bicycle startup sale to Uber 

The former 'Dragons' Den' entrepreneur Sean O'Sullivan made more than €30m from an initial €1m bet on a bike-sharing company that has been sold to Uber for close to €200m.

Adrian Weckler: Warning - You're being followed through your phone even if you tell it to stop 

What's this about Google recording my every location from tracking my phone and creating a map of where I went?

Date set for revealing winner of broadband rollout process 

The Government intends to announce the winner of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) on September 16, the Sunday Independent understands.

Adrian Weckler: Broadband rollout plan lives on 

It seems that the National Broadband Plan isn't dead. Yes, SSE won't be replaced. But the Government is now satisfied that it doesn't need to be.

Ask Adrian: Our tech editor tackles your trickiest technology problems 

Q My daughter is going to college and I want to get her a laptop. She won't need it for anything intensive, just projects, writing and research. Is there one you can recommend?

Smartphone batteries are short on power, say half of consumers 

Half of Irish people think that smartphone batteries are woefully inadequate, according to new research.

Tech workers lash out at 'crazy' Dublin rental costs 

Irish tech workers are speaking out about the chaotic scramble for accommodation in Dublin, with young executives saying it's a drawback to living and creating jobs in the capital.

The Big Tech Show: What’s good and terrible about Dublin as a tech city 

This week, Adrian Weckler sits down with two ambitious, successful young entrepreneurs who have one thing in common: they came to Dublin for the promise of its tech industry.

Samsung's €1,279 phone a tough sell as operators refuse to stock device 

It looks like we'd better get used to paying €1,000 for new phones.

Adrian Weckler: Samsung’s €1,000 price tag for new phone is what to expect from now on 

It looks like we’d better get used to paying €1,000 for new phones.

Adrian Weckler: Budget 2018...how to work hard and save big with a cut-price phone 

In a month's time, Apple will launch its newest iPhone, sparking an annual wave of upgrades and holiday wish lists. But rival smartphone manufacturers have quietly released a different, almost as intriguing, batch of smartphones this summer: powerful ultra-budget models.

Homeowners may have to choose between warm home and a mobile signal, warns watchdog 

The telecoms watchdog has warned that homeowners may have to choose between decent phone reception and a warm house.

Sky ends boycott of Eir's fibre broadband 

An industry boycott of Eir's growing fibre network looks to be waning, with one of Ireland's largest broadband resellers agreeing to conduct trials on the incumbent telco's network.

Exclusive Enet to go it alone in post-SSE rural NBP broadband rollout 

Enet is to forge ahead with a plan to build out a State-subsidised rural broadband network under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) without a new partner to replace the energy utility company SSE.

WATCH: Adrian Weckler reviews DJI’s recently released Mavic Air 

If you’re wondering about a drone, DJI’s recently released Mavic Air is one of the models to consider.

Exclusive Enet to go it alone in post-SSE rural NBP broadband rollout 

Enet is to forge ahead with a plan to build out a State-subsidised rural broadband network under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) without a new partner to replace the energy utility company SSE.

Siro chief says fibre broadband network will be 'cash cow' for ESB and Vodafone 

Siro's expanding regional fibre network will be a "cash cow" for Vodafone and the ESB, its chief executive has said.

Adrian Weckler: It's 'squeaky bum time' for NBP 

The former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson used to call the final stages of a competition "squeaky bum time".

We'll win regional broadband wars with fibre 'cash cow', says Siro boss 

Sean Atkinson appears to have no regrets on his company, Siro, leaving the topsy-turvy National Broadband Plan process.

The countdown's now on for Apple to hit $2trn mark 

Within hours of Apple becoming the first ever company to climb to a $1trn (€860bn) market capitalisation, the conversation shifted to when it would reach double that figure.

Ask Adrian: Our tech editor tackles your trickiest technology problems 

Q I am interested in buying a laptop under €500. I want it for home use only, looking up things on the internet, saving documents and photos. I use Netflix but normally use a Chromecast gadget for my television for that. I also need the laptop for listening to music (I have a Spotify account) and listening to CDs. I don't need it for anything like gaming. Ideally I would like it to have a Bluetooth facility as I want to listen to some podcasts on it. I've had a HP one for years and it generally held out well until the HDMI and earphone ports went. Can you help?

The Big Tech Show: Facebook in trouble (again) and a new tech bubble 

This week Adrian Weckler looks at the list of sins Facebook is again having to answer for.

Stripe gets Irish firms on board with partnership programme 

Stripe, the payments firm started by Limerick brothers John and Patrick Collison, has launched a new partner programme aimed at giving its users access to potential new business partners.

Adrian Weckler: What, who, when: the next steps in Ireland's rural broadband saga 

SSE, the major utilities and energy company that was set to build out the rural fibre network to 540,000 homes and businesses, quit the process at the last minute.

Dixons Carphone data breach hit only 'a handful' of Irish customers 

Dixons Carphone claims that only a handful of Irish customers have been affected by one of the year's biggest data breaches.

115,000 country homes lose out on broadband as companies split 

More than 100,000 rural homes are to be the first casualties in the break-up of the consortium which had planned to supply high-speed broadband to nine towns across Ireland.

Enet to keep Government guessing on new partner 

With weeks to go until the Government's estimated €1bn rural broadband deal, the company at the heart of the process has not yet told officials who will be building the rural network.