Bidness ETC - Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) Is Planning To Bring Back The 'Away' Message Feature

Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) has started the testing of its new sidebar status feature in Australia and Taiwan.

Facebook Inc., the social media giant is one of those firms that know how to cater to the needs of its users. The company has constantly upgraded itself to make the experience worthwhile. The one thing that is extremely catchy and at times annoying about Facebook Inc is that it has left nothing private. From feelings to movies, everything needs to be prompted on the digital platform. So now to add more to this charisma on its platform, Facebook Inc is bringing back the away feature which will give a deeper insight into what is going on in your life.

The company has initiated the testing process in two diverse regions including Australia and Taiwan where a small sidebar status is running along the feed which tells about what the user is doing, where he is, allow them to upload a picture or tag a location. Now this is scary for all those who were already whining about not having so much interest in the life of others. As this new features will open new horizons of spamming. After what is on your mind? Facebook is now working on what is in your life ... Which honestly nobody is concerned with

Previously, the company separated Facebook Inc Messenger and made it a standalone app and named it Facebook Messenger app. Hence before that, the sideway feature was one of the most liked features of that time. Sidebar status could only appear for 12 hours or until the user wishes to clear or update it. The statuses that were set up by users could be only seen by the people added to their friends’ list and were not public nor could they be seen on users’ profiles.

The company has already started the testing of this new away feature in Taiwan and Australia and the feature, so far, is named as “sidebar status”. It would allow users to add a status, whatever they wish for, which would appear on the right panel of the app. Hence, a freedom of speech would be given to the users. For instance, the status would start like, “Dave is….”. Anything can be added to it then. Dave can watch TV, sleep, or even one-word direct statuses would be good too. Furthermore, they would add their locations as well to fully express what they are up to and where.

Lately, Facebook Inc and Twitter Inc are looking to revamp some of the features in their platforms to keep on going with the success.

Bidness Etc - Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) cannot escape taxes

Apple does not want to reveal its financial structure to Australian tax officials.

Tax is extremely important to boost any economy. It is the thing that allows governments to carry out an efficient system with ease. The industry giants who are generating a substantial amount of revenues are an asset for any nation contributing positively to the economy. Australia is also one of those countries that wishes to avail this opportunity and will not let these companies escape law so easily.

According to the Australian Tax Office that notified recently that the top industry giants that include the three companies are being scrutinized at this point of time for their tax payment mechanism reports Reuters.

The company organized public inquiries for which Apple Inc.’s executive Tony King who deals with operations overseas that includes Australia and New Zealand was brought in front of the court of law.

All these three companies however refused that they are manipulating their profits or in any way avoiding escaping taxes. However, if they consider themselves to be so pure and free from flaws then three companies which include Google Inc., Microsoft Corp., and Apple Inc. have actually refused to present their financial structures to the officials.

“Double Irish” is considered to be one of the most prominent loopholes in terms of taxes. This actually allows firms that are operational in Ireland to streamline revenues to alternate Irish subsidiaries. This results in tax residency in regions which do not take any taxes like Cayman Islands.

For instance in Ireland, only those firms that are owned and controlled by Irish authorities are barred from taxes and termed as tax residents. However, Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) Operations International is not owned and managed in Ireland but is not incorporated there.

However, the finance minister of Ireland has decided to raise the bar now where new firms will not be granting Double Irish policy. So now big companies like Apple and Google need to come up with a counter strategy according to which they have to find another region which is easy on taxes.

The government of such regions is taking a fairly wise step to stop granting favors to these companies since the trio has a portfolio that boasts of skyrocketing revenues. It is their role as a company to help sustain the economy.
It is natural for the Australian government to take precautionary measures since these companies do not really have a good image when it comes to paying taxes.

AAPL and GOOG should realize the potential they have and reveal their financial structures in order to avoid unnecessary allegations.