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"Somewhere in Ireland, a company called Cubic Telecom has just launched what it claims as the first SIM card made especially for iPad 3G in Europe."

Well, I guess it is good to be the first one out of the gate to get brand recognition, even though the release date isn't until the end of May. This is about $95.00 USD at current conversion rates, so that is pretty hefty cost for only 50 MB of data, especially when you compare it to plans in the US and Canada. But I guess when you need your Internet, and want to roam around Europe, this might be an option since it will work in roughly 220 countries. Convenience has a price. 

"Apple has announced that movies from 20th Century Fox, MGM, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, The Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. are now available for purchase from the iTunes Store in France and Ireland."

Not only those studios, based in the US, but also films from several of the European studios such as StudioCanal and E1 Entertainment. The moves will be available for purchase on the same day as their release on DVD. The rental terms are the same as other countries also, allowing 30 days to watch the film, but only 48 hours to finish once you start.

"In a somewhat surprising move today, wireless carrier O2 Ireland announced that its customers would be able to unlock Apple's iPhone. Per the O2 forum, Rod Coleman, head of O2's Customer Care unit, discussed the decision surrounding the unlocking on iPhones, especially those who want to pass on old handsets."

You have to meet several criteria, which are:

• Registered on the O2 forum;
• Prepaid customers must have reached minimum of €150 on the registered SIM card (this excludes bonus credits);
• And you must have purchased the iPhone from O2 Ireland.

You can get more info on the O2 forum about this particular topic.