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G20 deal raises the minimum tax rate for big tech companies
G20 leaders have greenlit a deal that would set a global minimum tax rate of 15 percent for large companies, including big tech firms.
HMD revamps its Nokia smartphone lineup with six new affordable models
HMD first made a name for itself by remaking a classic feature phone — and triggering an avalanche of hype in the process. The Finnish company has been dutifully churning out Nokia-branded smartphones ever since, but during an online launch event today, HMD was eager to prove that it's been up to more than business as usual. For one, those numbers-only model names are gone, replaced by three new smartphone ranges: the X, G, and C series. And to make getting connected even easier, the company is making an end-run around its usual carrier partners by lighting up an HMD-branded MVNO in the UK with a global roll-out to follow.
G20 leaders will discuss raising taxes for big tech firms next week
For years, European countries have been grappling with how to get big tech firms to pay more taxes. They've proposed interim taxes on revenues, suggested global minimum taxes and slapped companies with hefty fines. We may be getting closer to a solution. Next week, G20 finance ministers are expected to discuss a proposed tax overhaul that would target big multinational firms, including Google, Amazon, Apple and Facebook.
Countries back plan to create 'free flow' of data across borders
It might become easier to shuttle data across borders in the future. A total of 24 countries have signed a statement supporting the Osaka Track, a plan from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that would create rules for a "free flow" of data while respecting privacy, copyright and security. The commitment is meant to foster digital businesses that might otherwise stumble over legal hurdles.
Trump to lift some restrictions on Huawei as part of China truce
Huawei is getting a partial reprieve from the US trade ban. President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have reached a truce that will remove some restrictions on Huawei selling technology to the US. It's not certain exactly what will change, but Trump suggested the US would allow hardware that didn't have a "great national emergency problem." That could help Huawei restore some of its partnerships for consumer tech like smartphones and PCs, but networking hardware is likely to remain off-limits.
G20 countries agree to close tax loopholes for tech companies
Tech giants are already finding themselves on the hook for more taxes in parts of Europe, but there could now be a much more coordinated effort to have them pay up. Reuters says it has obtained a Group of 20 draft communiqué revealing an agreement to establish "common rules" for closing tax loopholes used by companies like Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google. While the specifics haven't been nailed down, it would involve a "two-pillar" approach that both divides the rights to tax companies where products are sold (not just where they have offices) and a minimum tax rate.
Auto-complete blunder leaks passport details of world leaders
Australia has proved that it can hold its own against Hillary Clinton any day when it comes to email gaffes. The nation's immigration department accidentally disclosed the passport numbers and other personal info of every world leader attending last year's G20 summit, then compounded the problem by hushing it up. Affected leaders include US president Barack Obama, Russia's Vladimir Putin and British prime minister David Cameron. According to an email obtained by the Guardian, "the cause of the breach was human error... (an immigration employee) failed to check that the autofill function in Microsoft Outlook had entered the correct person's detail into the email 'To' field."
ASUS has two Steam Machines and one is incredibly compact
Computex has a heavy PC gaming flavor to it in places. Between the likes of NVIDIA and ASUS' ROG brand, it acts as a gentle primer to PC-based gaming hardware ahead of E3 -- which is next week, if you forgot. Alongside a frankly ridiculous 4K gaming laptop, ROG's announced two new Steam Machines with varying footprints and specifications. The GR8 takes up just 2.5 liters of space, and ASUS ROG is talking up the size/power ratio as the best it's ever made, with a Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti inside. Meanwhile, 4K output and Miracast support could well make this a plausible, portable "console" PC -- you'll just need to provide the screen.
Russia denies it slipped world leaders bugged USB disks and cables
After becoming embroiled in the NSA brouhaha by giving Edward Snowden sanctuary, Russia is again on the defensive after reports suggested it may have slipped G20 leaders compromised devices. A pair of Italian newspapers said that German security experts discovered "USB sticks and recharge cables (that) are suitable for undercover detection of computer data and mobile phones," after being alerted by the head of the European council. The Kremlin denied the allegations, calling them "an attempt to switch attention from the (spying) problems that really exist." Further tests are underway, and if the results are confirmed, may show that Russia has a ways to go to catch up to the NSA's more sophisticated eavesdropping.
Canon Vixia R40 wireless camcorder hands-on (video)
Canon announced a quartet of camcorders earlier today at CES 2013, and while Vixia G20 is a tweaked version of the previous model, the R40 and R42 bringing a raft of new features like WiFi connectivity to the game. All the new camcorders pack a 53X zoom, DIGIC DV IV image processor and a 3.28-megapixel full HD CMOS image sensor, along with full HD at 60P and 35Mbps AVCHD recording. The R40 and R42 add an interesting twist, however, with WiFi and compatibility with Canon's new CameraAccess app, which brings streaming and remote control features. We took the R40 for a quick spin, and for a $400 camcorder, we were impressed with the solidity of the unit, light weight and decent specs. The WiFi component is a welcome option as well, opening the door to low-budget remote shooting and streaming, which could be especially handy for solo bloggers or vacationers. 60fps Full HD capability is also a nice touch, although action shooters would do well to not mistake the unit for a dedicated sports shooter and let it clatter to the pavement. For more info, check the gallery below, or go after the break to let a Canon rep give you a quick video tour of the new model.
Surprise! Study finds internet worth a lot of money, is responsible for 4.7 percent of US economy
Ever wondered how much the interwebs contribute to the Uncle Sam's bottom line? Thanks to the Boston Consulting Group, now you don't have to. It's estimated the net contributes a cool $684 billion to the US gross domestic product. That's roughly 4.7 percent of US GDP, the same tranche as its effect on Japan's economy, but less than the 5.5, 7.3 and 8.3 percent clocked in by China, South Korea and the United Kingdom, respectively. And per the report, the internet is just getting started, with future growth expected to hit eight percent on average by 2016 for developed countries, and well north of 20 percent in booming economies like those of Argentina and India. Hit the source for the full report.
AQUA2 amphibious robot is super cute and fast, less annoying than most pets because it has no head
The AQUA2, built at McGill University in Montreal, is the first of its kind. You see, the AQUA2 is a robot that can both dive and swim in water, and move about on land. The amphibious bot can explore water up to 120 feet and is tethered to a remote control via ethernet or fiber optics. The 'headless' robot's flippers make it a pretty impressive swimmer, and it's also strikingly fast on even rough terrain. Check out the video after the break.
Panasonic launches Skype for 2010 VIERA Cast TVs
We managed to get an early look at Panasonic's TV-friendly implementation of Skype back at CES in January, but the company has just now finally activated the app on all of its 2010 VIERA Cast-enabled TVs (including the VT25, VT20, G25, and G20 Series). To take advantage of it, however, you'll also have to shell out $170 for Panasonic's TY-CC10W webcam, which supports both VGA and 720p video, and packs four unidirectional microphones, an echo canceling system, and some beam-forming technology that promises to deliver clear audio over a typical TV viewing distance of three to four meters. Head on past the break for the complete press release, as well as Panasonic's requisite old-people-don't-get-technology ad for the TVs.
Panasonic G20 HDTV review shows plasma's still got it
If you needed more proof that rumors of plasma's demise were greatly exaggerated, just look at Panasonic's latest, the G20. FlatpanelsHD took a 42-inch model fresh out of Panny's massive new plant and ran it through a gamut of tests. The 1080p panel with its 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio blitzed all of them, delivering the infinite viewing angles, deep blacks, and rich colors that are the hallmark of charged gas, and doing so without the annoyance of active cooling fans. That said, the improvements here over the previous G10 series are said to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary, with black levels about the same and network functionality little improved, meaning current owners don't need to feel too bad. But, if you don't mind waiting a little longer and paying for the latest and greatest, this looks to be it. [Thanks, John]
Garmin-ASUS nuvifone G60 spills loads of Linux-laced screenshots
Yeah, we've seen our fair share of glimpses at Garmin-ASUS' nüvifone G60, but with the Linux-based phone just weeks away from shipping over in the Far East, these last minute looks are becoming all the more tantalizing. A reviewer over in Malaysia managed to spend a bit of quality time with the handset, and while he's still waiting for his official review unit, he managed to snag a litany of screenshots that gives us a fantastic idea of what to expect from a user interface perspective. We have to say -- we kind of dig the whimsical look at a glance, but it makes us wonder just how serious of a smartphone this thing really is. With Android already out, does this UI look like it has the chops to compete? Hit the read link and let us know.[Via GPSTracklog, thanks Rich]
Garmin-ASUS nuvifone M20 and G60 shipping to Singapore in August
After a patently absurd amount of delays, it actually feels like the Garmin-ASUS nüvifone tandem is approaching a proper launch. Whether or not anyone actually cares anymore, however, remains to be seen. Across the sea over in Malaysia, one particularly lucky soul seems to have stumbled upon both the Linux-based nüvifone G60 and the WinMo-powered nüvifone M20, and he claims that both handsets will be shipping en masse to the region "within 30 days." Best of all, that totally jibes with what we've heard directly from Garmin today, which has informed us that the smartphone will be in Singaporean stores in August, with a few other Asian nations seeing it in late July. Now, if only North Americans could look forward to the same...
