EU considers taxing GPS / TV-enabled phones as "multi-functional devices"

Oh noes! The European Union is reportedly mulling a tax increase on handsets that boast TV receivers or GPS modules, and we're not talking just a few pennies (or whatever you folks use over there). The European Commission has put forth a proposal to "reclassify some phones as multi-functional devices, which would trigger a 14-percent tax on mobiles with TV receivers and 3.7-percent on navigation-enabled phones." Needless to say, both Sony Ericsson and Nokia are vehemently against the increase, with an SE spokesperson noting that "these new duties would inevitably lead to a high increase in consumer pricing at a time where we are all struggling to keep prices as low as possible." We're told that a final decision won't be made for at least six months, and honestly, we hope the whole initiative just gets lost in the shuffle along the way.

[Via mobileburn]

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 20th 2008 5:44PM]

This is the kinds of things that will happen once America goes through another Great Depression, and the market collapses, the Government will make people to get rid of the then worthless cash we have and force us to go by NAFTA, and saying the only solution we have is to merge Canada, the USA, and Mexico as one, and the European Union did, meaning goodbye to America, no national sovereignty. We will all use the Amero, if you don't believe me, have a look for yourself, we are edging closer to one world dictatorship folks. http://lifeoverdeath.org/amero.jpg

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 20th 2008 6:11PM]

yeah right Canada would never merge with you guys. You don't just think you can not have taxes forever and then pass off your 10 trillion dollar defecit on someone else do you?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 20th 2008 6:58PM]

Dumb@** money grubbers

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 20th 2008 7:50PM]

What is it with the EU and taxes? Seriously. I know governments need to get money to build roads, provide services etc, but i think this tax grab is starting to get ridiculous.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 20th 2008 10:57PM]

What in the world makes you think that Canada and/or Mexico would have anything to do with the USA, the last thing they need is a third world country like the once great USA

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 20th 2008 11:59PM]

You guys need to do more research on who it is that has been secretly running, and in order, controlling the world so well planned, to welcome in the Big Brother Anto-Christ. Secret cults that worship pagan Gods, and the Devil, Luciferian worshippers, they're politicians in our governments, they're actors/actresses, athletes, bankers, writers, journalists, CEO's, etc. LEARN ABOUT THESE SECRET SOCITIES: the Illuminati, Skull and Bones, Freemasons, Zionism, Bohemian Grove, etc. They're whole objective is to globalize and make the world under one rule, and one power, through wars, and financing. One corporation, you name it, to make it easier for them to control the masses. LEARN ABOUT THEM AND SPREAD THE WORD!!! DON'T BELIEVE ME WATCH THIS VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wCdULj6fOQ AND RESEARCH MORE ON THE SECRET SOCIETIES.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 21st 2008 6:34PM]

I know for fact that Bush is in Skull and Bones.

but why the hell posting these kind of things in tech site?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 21st 2008 12:00AM]

Correction: *Anti-Christ

[efekt Posted Dec 21st 2008 4:08AM]

Dude, STFU please.

Best regards,
The Illuminati, Free Masons, Cult of Satan and the Bankers Association

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 21st 2008 1:42PM]

so that means we can buy these fones for cheaper than them?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 21st 2008 10:10PM]

@Ben
If you think the US is a third world country, you have never actually been to a "third world" country (more correctly labeled a developing or underdeveloped country, but I digress). I have, and trust me, Bolivia and the US are NOT the same. And Mexico probably WOULD merge with the US, Canada, perhaps not. Do you have any idea idea how important the US economy is? It is by far the largest SINGLE economy in the world (yes the EU is bigger, but it is 27 countries, not 1). I hate it when people with ABSOLUTELY NO background in economics, politics, or apparently common sense try to bash the US. No, it's not a perfect country, but I'll take our imperfections any day over the self righteous attitude of I am guessing a typically uninformed European. At least we admit our problems, when I lived in Europe, I got SO tired of them telling me how they were better than Americans, because they were Europeans...

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 23rd 2008 12:27PM]

Who cares about 14% percent tax when you buy a device.
I pay 350$ a year in tax because I happen to own a phone that can access the internet ant potentially stream music via my GPRS link..