This week we preview the latest release from Sony’s Vaio range (pictured), Eircom’s Email Marketer software and a wireless hotspot router from FON.
Sony VAIO TX3
What is it? Business laptop computer
How much? Starts at €2,348
Sony has unveiled what it claims is the most durable and portable member of its VAIO laptop family ever made. For executives interested in ultra slim and slinky laptops that won’t kill their shoulders, the compact TX3 laptop has a 11.1-inch LCD screen that, Sony says, is ideal for watching DVDs or viewing digital pictures. It’s also packed with hi tech features including a built-in camera and mic for VoIP (voice over internet) calling, finger print recognition software — so no more passwords — and a slimline battery with seven hours of life, vital if you’re always out of the office.
Eircom Email Marketer
What is it? Software for email marketing campaigns
How much? €300 for a one-year licence
Eircom recently introduced a new email product that allows small and medium businesses to plan, send and track email campaigns from start to finish. The company is targeting its Email Marketer product at the hospitality, retail and arts sectors. The software is fully compatible with Microsoft Outlook and enables businesses to track 12,000 emails, send 500 text alerts and a choice of 400 email templates. According to data from software firm Twelve Horses, marketing email use by big businesses has increased 18pc. Niall Feely, director of business markets at Eircom, explained that the Email Marketer technology will help small and medium firms compete on an equal footing with big firms for business.
FON Social Router
What is it? Wireless hotspot router
How much? €5 plus €10 for shipping in Europe
Irish businesses and home owners interested in participating in the wireless internet hotspot revolution have been invited to join what Spanish company FON claims is the largest and fastest growing Wi-Fi community in the world. Users sign up and receive a wireless hotspot router for €5 that normally costs €60. Irish people who sign up to FON’s ‘Social Router’ will share part of their wireless internet hotspot with the FON community. In return, members get free access to all of the FON Wi-Fi access points across the globe. The company’s goal is to reach 50,000 active Wi-Fi hotspots by autumn and one million hotspots by the end of 2007. So far there are 192 registered FON users in Ireland.
By John Kennedy
