corporate

The 404 1,108: Where we're not looking from behind (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

Crazy tape on Olympians: Does it work?

Fair or foul? Experts split over whether Pistorius has advantage.

U.S. Speed Suits could make all the difference.

World records set despite ban on high-tech suits.

Are humans or technology breaking Olympic records?

Creepy Weknowyourhouse.com scans your tweets to publish your address.

Bathroom break video: Some of the best LifeHacks ever.… Read more

Google may face U.K. parliament over tax-avoidance strategies

Google has found a way to avoid paying boatloads in taxes. And U.K. parliament members are not too happy about it, according to a new report.

By the end of March, a Google executive could be brought before parliament members to explain how the company saves so much in taxes, despite generating massive profits each year, the U.K. newspaper The Independent is reporting, citing a discussion with a member of the parliament's Treasury Select Committee.

The Independent claims that Google paid only 6 million pounds ($9.4 million) in U.K. taxes last year, despite generating a … Read more

News Corp. debates giving up 'digital savior,' The Daily

News Corp. has put The Daily, the iPad publication it introduced last year as "a digital savior" of newspapers, on probation, The New York Times reported.

The news and entertainment giant is trying to decide if the publication, the company's first daily publication created specifically for the tablet, could turn around losses that were estimated at roughly $30 million a year, according to unnamed sources.

This comes weeks after News Corp. founder, chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch confirmed that the media conglomerate would separate its publishing assets, including The Daily, from its fast-growing entertainment assets.

The organization … Read more

How far will tech firms go to help oppressive governments?

A little more than half of Internet stakeholders surveyed by Pew Internet expected -- or more likely were optimistic about -- a future with greater corporate responsibility when it comes to supporting human rights through technology, according to a study released today (PDF).

The study highlights the ongoing discussion of the tech industry's role in politics, activism, and freedom speech. Recent news highlighting growing discontent of censorship and unethical business practices further push the issue.

The study examined how far tech companies will go to help oppressive governments when it comes to controlling access to technology or following unethical … Read more

AOL reorganizes, creates three new groups

AOL announced two substantial changes to its business this morning.

First up, the company says it has promoted CFO Artie Minson Jr. to chief operating officer. In his new role, Minson will be in charge of three new units AOL that has established as part of a reorganization focused on "driving growth and improved profitability."

According to AOL, it's business will now be aligned in three distinct operating groups -- AOL Membership, Content Brands, and Advertising.com. All three operating units will report directly to Minson. A fourth group, made up of sales, technology, communications, brand marketing, … Read more

Corporate VCs still have love for the Golden State

Corporate venture capital investments are down from last year but more than half of that money has stayed in California, according to an investment trends study released last night by CB Insights.

The report -- which tracked more than 220 corporate VCs, including Google Ventures, Intel Capital and Dow Venture Capital -- found that corporate VCs contributed to 11 percent of all venture deals in the first quarter of this year, but the $1.09 billion total invested is the lowest amount in the last five years.

The money was spread over 84 deals, the number is down from last … Read more

Divide for Android integrates Box with version 1.7

If you find yourself carrying around two separate mobile devices (one for work, the other for personal use), then you probably haven't heard of Enterproid's Divide app for Android.

Known as a solution to the growing BYOD (bring your own device) trend that plagues many a corporate IT department, Divide creates a separate, fully encrypted and password-protected work environment right on your Android device. This means you can securely access your work e-mail, contacts, calendars, and corporate applications, all while keeping your personal life out of your employer's reach.

Today, Enterproid updates Divide for Android to version … Read more

SEC spooked by Facebook's pre-IPO mobile numbers

The Securities and Exchange Commission's pre-IPO correspondence with Facebook makes it clear that the regulatory body seemed quite concerned with the impact mobile growth could have on its operation.

"Assuming that the trend towards mobile continues and your mobile monetization efforts are unsuccessful, ensure that your disclosure fully addresses the potential consequences to your revenue and financial results rather than just stating that they 'may be negatively affected,'" the SEC wrote to Facebook back in February after a review of the company's S1 Registration statement filed with the government body.

Facebook's mobile efforts have been … Read more

Nokia plans 10,000 layoffs, cuts second-quarter outlook

Nokia will cut 10,000 positions by the end of 2013, the company announced today.

The layoffs are part of a strategy on Nokia's part to "rescale" its operation. In doing so, it plans to close facilities in Ulm, Germany and Burnaby, Canada; consolidate certain manufacturing operations; and streamline its IT, corporate, and support functions.

"These planned reductions are a difficult consequence of the intended actions we believe we must take to ensure Nokia's long-term competitive strength," Nokia CEO Stephen Elop said today in a statement. "We do not make plans that may … Read more