Month: September 2023

Freelancers Aren’t Happy With Japan’s New Invoice System

An anonymous reader quotes a report from the Japan Times: From Oct. 1, a new tax regulation decades in the making will go into effect — and hundreds of thousands of workers in Japan are angry. The Qualified Invoicing System, which requires taxable businesses to issue invoices containing tax information for transactions, has generated a full-fledged movement against it. A petition on Change.org to halt the regulation has received nearly 450,000 signatures. The social movement […] has held regular demonstrations and conferences advocating against the law, alongside significant protest from the world of pop culture: Animators, filmmakers, voice actors, manga artists and V-tubers of all stripes have joined together against it.

While the law is complex, the reason it’s hated is not: It’s effectively a tax increase. While the system was created to ensure that businesses will properly pay consumption tax, for many freelancers and small businesses the result will amount to a 10% increase in taxes — a high enough jump to potentially devastate creatives who already make a living by the narrowest of margins. […] Those who have already registered as taxable businesses or sole proprietors with sales of over 10 million yen are required to register for the system. Small freelancers and tax-exempt businesses, however, will need to consider carefully what to do. “Tax compliance will be the biggest issue for freelancers,” [says Fumiko Mizoguchi, indirect tax service country leader at Deloitte]. “If freelancers agree to issue qualified invoices, they should offer the counter-suggestion that their prices will increase 10% as a result.”

Meanwhile, the protest movement is steady on the ground in Tokyo. Voiction, which has been meeting with legislators to try to halt the law, plans on continuing to fight through the rest of the year and beyond. [Voice actress Yuhko Kaida] explains that the government could still decide to allow small businesses to not file 2023’s consumption tax in March 2024, when taxes are due. “If we have the willpower, we can stop this law,” Kaida says. “Then we can reduce the damage to people’s lives.”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from the Japan Times: From Oct. 1, a new tax regulation decades in the making will go into effect — and hundreds of thousands of workers in Japan are angry. The Qualified Invoicing System, which requires taxable businesses to issue invoices containing tax information for transactions, has generated a full-fledged movement against it. A petition on Change.org to halt the regulation has received nearly 450,000 signatures. The social movement […] has held regular demonstrations and conferences advocating against the law, alongside significant protest from the world of pop culture: Animators, filmmakers, voice actors, manga artists and V-tubers of all stripes have joined together against it.

While the law is complex, the reason it’s hated is not: It’s effectively a tax increase. While the system was created to ensure that businesses will properly pay consumption tax, for many freelancers and small businesses the result will amount to a 10% increase in taxes — a high enough jump to potentially devastate creatives who already make a living by the narrowest of margins. […] Those who have already registered as taxable businesses or sole proprietors with sales of over 10 million yen are required to register for the system. Small freelancers and tax-exempt businesses, however, will need to consider carefully what to do. “Tax compliance will be the biggest issue for freelancers,” [says Fumiko Mizoguchi, indirect tax service country leader at Deloitte]. “If freelancers agree to issue qualified invoices, they should offer the counter-suggestion that their prices will increase 10% as a result.”

Meanwhile, the protest movement is steady on the ground in Tokyo. Voiction, which has been meeting with legislators to try to halt the law, plans on continuing to fight through the rest of the year and beyond. [Voice actress Yuhko Kaida] explains that the government could still decide to allow small businesses to not file 2023’s consumption tax in March 2024, when taxes are due. “If we have the willpower, we can stop this law,” Kaida says. “Then we can reduce the damage to people’s lives.”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Will There Be An Apple Event in October?

It is typical for Apple to hold up to four events per year: one in the spring, WWDC in June, the fall iPhone event, and a fourth fall event that’s Mac and/or iPad focused. Unfortunately, there are few additional product announcements planned for the final months of 2023, and it’s looking like there won’t be another fall event this year.

Earlier this month, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman told The MacRumors Show hosts that he does not expect Apple to hold an October event because the company does not have enough new products and features to justify it. Major new ‌iPad‌ and Mac launches are not expected until 2024, suggesting it will be a slow holiday season for Apple outside of the ‌iPhone‌ and Apple Watch.

During Apple’s August earnings call, CFO Luca Maestri said that Mac and ‌iPad‌ revenue is expected to drop double digits. Last October, Apple introduced the M2 iPad Pro models and a 10th-generation ‌iPad‌, plus it was still seeing sales of the redesigned MacBook Air during the holidays.

Apple’s warning about the ‌iPad‌ and Mac revenue drop suggests that it does not expect to have products to entice customers during the holiday quarter, and that is in line with rumors.

There is a possibility that we will see at least one iPad unveiled in October, perhaps an iPad mini, an iPad Air, or an 11th-generation low-cost ‌iPad‌, but these will be minor refreshes. ‌iPad Pro‌ models with OLED displays and M3 chips won’t be coming until 2024.

We could also see at least one Mac with a new M3 chip, and this could be a ‌MacBook Air‌, 13-inch MacBook Pro, a Mac mini, or a 24-inch iMac. Gurman said that if these products do come out in 2023, Apple is likely to unveil them via press release rather than with an event.

While Gurman believes M3 Macs could come out in 2023, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said recently that Apple will not launch new MacBook models with M3 processors before the end of the year, which may narrow down any M3 Mac releases to desktop models.

Apple did not hold an October event last year, but there were October events in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2021.This article, “Will There Be An Apple Event in October?” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

It is typical for Apple to hold up to four events per year: one in the spring, WWDC in June, the fall iPhone event, and a fourth fall event that’s Mac and/or iPad focused. Unfortunately, there are few additional product announcements planned for the final months of 2023, and it’s looking like there won’t be another fall event this year.

Earlier this month, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman told The MacRumors Show hosts that he does not expect Apple to hold an October event because the company does not have enough new products and features to justify it. Major new ‌iPad‌ and Mac launches are not expected until 2024, suggesting it will be a slow holiday season for Apple outside of the ‌iPhone‌ and Apple Watch.

During Apple’s August earnings call, CFO Luca Maestri said that Mac and ‌iPad‌ revenue is expected to drop double digits. Last October, Apple introduced the M2 iPad Pro models and a 10th-generation ‌iPad‌, plus it was still seeing sales of the redesigned MacBook Air during the holidays.

Apple’s warning about the ‌iPad‌ and Mac revenue drop suggests that it does not expect to have products to entice customers during the holiday quarter, and that is in line with rumors.

There is a possibility that we will see at least one iPad unveiled in October, perhaps an iPad mini, an iPad Air, or an 11th-generation low-cost ‌iPad‌, but these will be minor refreshes. ‌iPad Pro‌ models with OLED displays and M3 chips won’t be coming until 2024.

We could also see at least one Mac with a new M3 chip, and this could be a ‌MacBook Air‌, 13-inch MacBook Pro, a Mac mini, or a 24-inch iMac. Gurman said that if these products do come out in 2023, Apple is likely to unveil them via press release rather than with an event.

While Gurman believes M3 Macs could come out in 2023, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said recently that Apple will not launch new MacBook models with M3 processors before the end of the year, which may narrow down any M3 Mac releases to desktop models.

Apple did not hold an October event last year, but there were October events in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2021.
This article, “Will There Be An Apple Event in October?” first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

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‘Quordle’ today: Here are the answers and hints for September 29, 2023

A strategy guide for the September 28 ‘Quordle,’ a puzzle game similar to ‘Wordle,’ but which gives the user nine guesses to figure out four different words.

A strategy guide for the September 28 ‘Quordle,’ a puzzle game similar to ‘Wordle,’ but which gives the user nine guesses to figure out four different words.

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Epic Games Cutting 16 Percent of Its Workforce

According to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, Epic games is laying off 16 percent of its current workforce, which amounts to almost 900 employees losing their jobs. Kotaku reports: A memo was shared this morning at the North Carolina company, seen by Kotaku, informing staff of the bad news. It explains that alongside 16 percent of staff being laid off, the company is also selling Bandcamp, and “spinning off” most of marketing company SuperAwesome.

“For a while now, we’ve been spending way more money than we earn,” says the memo, sent to staff by CEO Tim Sweeney. “I have long been optimistic we could power through this transition without layoffs, but in retrospect I see that this was unrealistic.” It seems that Fortnite’s failure to continue growing was part of the problem. Sweeney reports that it’s “starting to grow again,” but this is driven by creator content “with significant revenue sharing.”

Despite efforts to reduce spending, Sweeney says “we still ended up far short of financial sustainability.” These layoffs, he hopes, will “stabilize our finances.” “Laid-off Epic employees will receive six months severance and health benefits,” Schreier said on X, adding that an “all-hands meeting [is] happening shortly.” Further reading: Apple Asks Supreme Court To Reverse App Store Ruling Won by Epic

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

According to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, Epic games is laying off 16 percent of its current workforce, which amounts to almost 900 employees losing their jobs. Kotaku reports: A memo was shared this morning at the North Carolina company, seen by Kotaku, informing staff of the bad news. It explains that alongside 16 percent of staff being laid off, the company is also selling Bandcamp, and “spinning off” most of marketing company SuperAwesome.

“For a while now, we’ve been spending way more money than we earn,” says the memo, sent to staff by CEO Tim Sweeney. “I have long been optimistic we could power through this transition without layoffs, but in retrospect I see that this was unrealistic.” It seems that Fortnite’s failure to continue growing was part of the problem. Sweeney reports that it’s “starting to grow again,” but this is driven by creator content “with significant revenue sharing.”

Despite efforts to reduce spending, Sweeney says “we still ended up far short of financial sustainability.” These layoffs, he hopes, will “stabilize our finances.” “Laid-off Epic employees will receive six months severance and health benefits,” Schreier said on X, adding that an “all-hands meeting [is] happening shortly.” Further reading: Apple Asks Supreme Court To Reverse App Store Ruling Won by Epic

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Quordle today – hints and answers for Friday, September 29 (game #613)

Looking for Quordle clues? We can help. Plus get the answers to Quordle today and past solutions.

It’s time for your daily dose of Quordle hints, plus the answers for both the main game and the Daily Sequence spin off. 

Quordle is the only one of the many Wordle clones that I’m still playing now, around 18 months after the daily-word-game craze hit the internet, and with good reason: it’s fun, but also difficult.

What’s more, its makers (now the online dictionary Merriam-Webster) are also keeping it fresh in the form of a variant called the Daily Sequence, which sees you complete four puzzles consecutively, rather than concurrently. 

But Quordle is tough, so if you already find yourself searching for Wordle hints, you’ll probably need some for this game too. 

I’m a Quordle and Wordle fanatic who’s been playing since December 2021, so I can definitely help you solve Quordle today and improve your game for tomorrow. Read on for my Quordle hints to game #613 and the answers to the main game and Daily Sequence. 

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #613) – hint #1 – Vowels

How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 2*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too). 

Quordle today (game #613) – hint #2 – total vowels

What is the total number of vowels in Quordle today?

The total number of vowels across today’s Quordle answers is 5.

Quordle today (game #613) – hint #3 – repeated letters

Do any of today’s Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #613) – hint #4 – total letters

How many different letters are used in Quordle today?

The total number of different letters used in Quordle today is 12.

Quordle today (game #613) – hint #5 – uncommon letters

Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• Yes. One of Q, Z, X or J appears among today’s Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #613) – hint #6 – starting letters (1)

Do any of today’s Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

The number of today’s Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you’re not ready yet then here’s one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #613) – hint #7 – starting letters (2)

What letters do today’s Quordle answers start with?

• P

• C

• S

• J

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #613) – the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today’s Quordle, game #613, are…

PARERCLASPSHARDJERKY

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Daily Sequence today (game #613) – the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today’s Quordle Daily Sequence, game #613, are…

GUPPYSTAVEDROVEMOULT

Quordle answers: The past 20

Quordle #612, Thursday 28 September: SAUCY, PEACH, SURER, STRIPQuordle #611, Wednesday 27 September: NOISY, CLEAT, EAGER, CARATQuordle #610, Tuesday 26 September: SEDAN, CHARD, CHASM, GUSTOQuordle #609, Monday 25 September: LEASH, GAZER, GUILE, KNEEDQuordle #608, Sunday 24 September: LUCKY, ANGRY, QUIET, LUCIDQuordle #607, Saturday 23 September: HEARD, LOATH, GUEST, SIGMAQuordle #606, Friday 22 September: CHILI, METRO, PUREE, KIOSKQuordle #605, Thursday 21 September: AWARE, SHONE, SHADE, SHELFQuordle #604, Wednesday 20 September: TAMER, SNOUT, BLAND, SLEEPQuordle #603, Tuesday 19 September: WACKY, LAYER, FRUIT, MINERQuordle #602, Monday 18 September: SWEAR, LOWLY, STAND, UPSETQuordle #601, Sunday 17 September: SCRUB, DUSTY, QUOTH, UNCLEQuordle #600, Saturday 16 September: FLAIL, ALTAR, YACHT, HAUNTQuordle #599, Friday 15 September: FISHY, DRAKE, TORUS, SMOTEQuordle #598, Thursday 14 September: CHEST, RIVER, THERE, EMCEEQuordle #597, Wednesday 13 September: GUESS, MICRO, DROOP, ELATEQuordle #596, Tuesday 12 September: CYNIC, GRUEL, CACTI, TOWERQuordle #595, Monday 11 September: RECUT, GREED, COVER, METERQuordle #594, Sunday 10 September: TRAIN, RIPER, BLACK, SCRAMQuordle #593, Saturday 9 September: MARRY, INFER, STALE, SUITE

Quordle FAQs: Everything you need to know

What is Quordle?

Where Wordle challenges you to guess a new five-letter word each day, Quordle presents you with four puzzles to solve. And rather than complete them in turn, you do so simultaneously. You get nine guesses, rather than the six for Wordle, but the rules are otherwise very similar. 

It’s played online via the Quordle website and you can also get to it via the Merriam-Webster site, after the dictionary purchased Quordle last year

As with Wordle, the answers are the same for every player each day, meaning that you’re competing against the rest of the world. And also as with Wordle, the puzzle resets at midnight so you have a fresh challenge each day.

The website also includes a practice mode – which I definitely recommend using before attempting the game proper! – and there are daily stats including a streak count. You also get Quordle Achievements – specific badges for winning a game in a certain number of turns, playing lots of times, or guessing particularly hard words.

Oh, and it’s difficult. Really difficult.

What are the Quordle rules?

The rules of Quordle are almost identical to those of Wordle.

1. Letters that are in the answer and in the right place turn green.

2. Letters that are in the answer but in the wrong place turn yellow. 

3. Letters that are not in the answer turn gray…

4. …BUT the word you guess appears in all quadrants of the puzzle at the same time, so an A could turn green in one square, yellow in another and gray in the final two. 

5. Answers are never plural.

6. Letters can appear more than once. So if your guess includes two of one letter, they may both turn yellow, both turn green, or one could be yellow and the other green.

7. Each guess must be a valid word in Quordle’s dictionary. You can’t guess ABCDE, for instance.

8. You do not have to include correct letters in subsequent guesses and there is no equivalent of Wordle’s Hard mode.

9. You have nine guesses to find the Quordle answers.

10. You must complete the daily Quordle before midnight in your timezone.

What is a good Quordle strategy?

Quordle needs to be approached in a different way to Wordle. With four puzzles to solve in nine guesses, you can’t blindly throw letters at it and expect to win – you’ll stand a far better chance if you think strategically.

That’s the case in Wordle too, of course, but it’s even more important in Quordle.

There are two key things to remember. 

1. Use several starting words

Firstly, you won’t want just a single starting word, but almost certainly two or three starting words. 

The first of these should probably be one of the best Wordle starting words, because the same things that make them work well will apply here too. But after that, you should select another word or possibly two that use up lots more of the most common consonants and that include any remaining vowels.

For instance, I currently use STARE > DOILY > PUNCH. Between them, these three words use 15 of the 26 letters in the alphabet including all five vowels, Y, and nine of the most common consonants (S, T, R, D, L, P, N, C and H). There are plenty of other options – you might want to get an M, B, F or G in there instead of the H, maybe – but something like that should do the trick.

If all goes well, that will give you a good lead on what one or sometimes two of the answers might be. If not, well good luck!

2. Narrow things down

Secondly, if you’re faced with a word where the answer might easily be one of several options – for instance -ATCH, where it could be MATCH, BATCH, LATCH, CATCH, WATCH, HATCH or PATCH – you’ll definitely want to guess a word that would narrow down those options. 

In Wordle, you can instead try several of those in succession and hope one is right, assuming you have enough guesses left. It’s risky, but will sometimes work. Plus, it’s the only option in Hard mode. But in Quordle, this will almost certainly result in a failure – you simply don’t have enough guesses.

In the scenario above, CLAMP would be a great guess, as it could point the way to four of the seven words in one go.

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