A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
Sun launches high-speed chip
Sun Microsystems has introduced the UltraSPARC T2 chip, which it claims is the world's fastest commodity microprocessor, thanks to its eight processor cores and eight threads per core. It claims each thread is capable of running a separate operating system, meaning the T2 offers a 64-way system on a single chip.
Sun will sell the T2, formerly codenamed Niagara 2, as part of its own servers as well as making it available to other computer manufacturers. It is also releasing the design under an open-source licence.
Separately this week, Sun announced it was putting aside $150 million (€109 million) primarily for job cuts which could see up to 1,000 staff leave the firm.
Afilias bidding for .us domain
Afilias, the Irish-registered company which provides registration services for the .info and .aero internet domains, has emerged as one of the main bidders to administer the .us domain for the US government. It will be hoping to unseat incumbent register NeuStar when the US Commerce Department awards a three-year contract later this month.
Broadband take-up 'hit'
Broadband provider Digiweb claims that the recent increase in line rental from Eircom will hit the take-up of broadband services. Some 77 per cent of respondents to a survey on its nolinerental.ie website said an increase in line rental charges would deter them from getting DSL broadband, which is delivered over phone lines.
The survey also found that more than 25 per cent of participants were unaware they could receive broadband without a landline.
SAP enhances its software
Business application specialist SAP has added 60 best practices to its portfolio, which are designed to enable mid-sized companies in specific industries to quickly roll out SAP's all-in-one software.
The best practices consist of integrated business processes, methodologies and documentation based on knowledge and expertise of different industries garnered by SAP.
The business processes are designed for specific industries such as process manufacturing, consumer products and professional services and are further customised for regulations and business conditions in individual countries.
New line of Apple iMacs
Apple got back to the business of releasing new computers this week with a new line of sleek all-in-one iMacs. They are available with either 20- or 24-inch widescreen monitors and run on Intel's Core 2 Duo processors. Other features include a new ultra-thin keyboard, built-in video camera, and Apple's iLife suite of applications.
Apple chief executive Steve Jobs said the use of aluminium and glass makes the new iMacs more recyclable than other PCs.
Smart wins new contracts
Smart Telecom, the broadband provider which was recently re-financed, has won new contracts for its next-generation network services with software company SAP and Galway County Council.
Smart provided SAP with a new E-Line connection between its operations in Dublin and Belfast and upgraded the infrastructure between its Dublin and Galway operations. Galway County Council is using Smart to connect its Galway city offices to the Government's virtual private network (VPN) using fibre and private DSL connectivity.
Both contracts will run for a minimum of two years and are worth an estimated €235,000 to Smart.
