In today’s News Roundup, Google’s questioned over taxes in Ireland, Pinterest gets a brand-friendly update, Rapidshare suffers massive layoffs, augmented reality sees the perks of Valve co-founder’s intellectual property, smart apps take over Mercedes Benz, the impending Xbox launch raises questions over Microsoft’s mobile strategy, the PayPal 14 are one step closer to a deal, Facebook reflects on its one-year IPO anniversary, and Hollywood attacks Google for links to The Pirate Bay.

Google’s questioned over taxes in Ireland

Testimony given by Google to the Commons Public Accounts Committee is being disputed by a former Google employee. Deals that were concluded in Ireland would be subject to their lower corporate tax rate. Barney Jones, a former Google employee, is said to have turned over 100,000 emails and documents that prove that Google’s London based office did in fact close deals.

Pinterest gets a brand-friendly update

Users of Pinterest can expect to see a new series of pins announced as early as this Sunday. The new pins will highlight certain associated brands and separate them into three categories of pins: food, retail products, and movies. Now, clicking the new food pin will give the ingredient list for the pinned dish.

Rapidshare suffers massive layoffs

Rapidshare has had to fire 75 percent of its staff after a string of events that have unfolded over the last couple of years. In an attempt to change the company image, and get off the recent blacklist it was placed on, RapidShare spent over half a million euros convincing people they wanted to uphold copyrights. In the short term, the investment paid off and they were taken off the blacklist. However due to expenses, the company was recently forced to lay off forty-five employees to save money.

Augmented reality sees the perks of Valve co-founder’s intellectual property

Valve co-founder Gabe Newell signed over the intellectual property ownership rights to the CastAR project to former employees left the company three months ago. The former Valve employees’ new company, Technical Illusions, showcased the prototype glasses recently at Maker Faire. CastAR offers a far more immersive augmented reality experience than Google Glass by projecting a miniature virtual reality overlay on top of the real world.

Smart apps take over Mercedes Benz

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class will come with advanced driving assist technology. In the right conditions the car can steer itself through city traffic or drive on the highway at speeds upward of 12MPH using an array of radar, infrared and optical sensors to track lane markings and the car ahead. The new S-Class can also also park itself, brake automatically to avoid collisions, and even sense when a driver is becoming fatigued.

Impending Xbox launch raises questions over Microsoft’s mobile strategy

With the launch of the next XBox just hours away, many analysts are showing concern that the newest gaming console may not have what it takes to stay relevant in the age of smartphones and tablets. Though nobody will know for sure until tomorrow, prototypes of the new Xbox include such features as a game-streaming service, 3D glasses, advanced motion controllers, and even a new technology that will integrate the gaming device with the users’ televisions.

PayPal 14 one step closer to a deal

The PayPal 14 are close to a deal that could keep them out of prison. Federal authorities charged fourteen individuals with violating the infamous Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. They are accused of helping launch a cyber attack against the online payment service PayPal, which was knocked offline for several days. The charges could result in a sentence of up to fifteen years in prison.

Facebook reflects on its one-year IPO anniversary

One year has passed since Facebook’s disastrous initial public offering, and after twelve months Facebook has somehow recovered and its stock has risen a very healthy $26/share. Much of the increased value can be attributed to a remarkably high price-earnings ratio, with the social network beating revenue expectations by nearly Twenty million dollars. With plenty of cash, profits and growing revenues, Facebook’s work in mobile and ownership of Instagram will likely help the company grow even more over its second year.

Hollywood attacks Google for links to The Pirate Bay

Google has received several DMCA takedown requests from Hollywood Studios, but not for the films and television programs they own the copyright for. The studios are asking Google to remove links to sites that host the film TPB-AFK, the documentary about The Pirate Bay. Over the last several weeks, the availability of the documentary has been reduced by multiple takedown requests from a number of studios, including Viacom, Paramount, Fox, and Lionsgate.