Technology news, latest reports from the North East

GameHorizon: Calls for more government support

THOUSANDS of jobs could be created in the North East if the Government answers calls for subsidies and tax breaks for video games businesses, an industry leader has claimed. Read

HAVING been at the helm of global games giant Codemasters for over 10 years, David Solari has helped launch a string of number one hits including LMA Manager, Colin McRae Rally 2 and World Championship Snooker. Read

GameHorizon: Games set to become number one

VIDEO games are set to overtake movies as the world’s dominant entertainment medium according to experts gathered at today’s GameHorizon conference in Gateshead. Read

GameHorizon: Developers look to the silver screen

WITH a video games industry worth an estimated £256m year, the North East has made a considerable impact on the global games sector in recent years. Read

Video games firms want to zap skills shortage

MEMBERS of the region’s video games sector have called for an overhaul of the education system in the fight to fill the skills gap, amid reports that the university system is failing the industry. Read

Twitter has a language all of its own

AS an IT manager, I trial a lot of new software, so I guess it’s not surprising that I’ve had an account with the web-based service, Twitter, for a while. Read

No California, but Software City has huge potential

THOUSANDS of miles from the original Silicon Valley, another similar – if considerably smaller – facility could one day exist. Read

Sex and the City boosts online shopping

SHOPPERS scouting for summer sales bargains spent more online last month than in any previous May, new figures reveal. Read

Give us a tax break, games producers urge Government

KEY players from the video games industry are expected to call on the Government to increase their financial support for the sector at a major conference in the region today. Read

How to stop the dangers of ‘phishing’

THE latest loss of top secret government papers on a commuter train has not just caused great embarrassment to the Government. The slip-up has highlighted how computer hackers may potentially be defrauding IT systems to fund global terrorism, drugs trafficking and money laundering. Read

Nomad wins contract to provide train technology

AN INTERNET provider has followed the tracks laid down by George Stephenson by proving the North East is still at the cutting edge of railway technology. Read

A weighty idea to help children

A NORTH IT developer is hoping to help counter the UK’s obesity epidemic with the launch of a groundbreaking piece of software. Read

Leading players in international games market roll in

SOME of the most influential figures from the international video games sector will roll into the region next week to discuss the future of the industry. Read

Global expansion looks good after £1.2m deal

MULTIMEDIA production company Mere Mortals has landed a £1.2m deal with an international video games firm which is expected to boost considerably its global expansion drive. Read

Tuning in to new market

A FORMER producer of adverts for radio has tuned into a potentially lucrative market with the launch of a new digital business. Read

Medical jargon buster on hospitals’ website

HAVE you ever been given a diagnosis in hospital which has been so littered with medical jargon that it has made no sense to you at all? Read

North has no trouble recruiting IT workers

COMPUTER workers and other IT staff have seen their basic pay rise by an above-inflation 4.8% in the past year, new figures have found. Read

Tech Notes: Can Apple be boss of the bowl?

DESPITE unveiling a newer, faster version of the iPhone in San Francisco earlier this week, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs faces a major challenge if he wants the product to become more than a small fruit in a big bowl. Read

Planning ahead to foil cyber criminals

PUBLIC and private sector organisations in the region have declared war on cyber criminals with the launch of a major new initiative. Read

When in Rome, do as the Qurios Entertainments do

VISUAL effects firm Qurios Entertainment has yet again proved it is game for a laugh after landing contracts for work on two major BBC comedy shows. Read