Among the news items this week from the world of Apple, the folks over at AppleInsider uncovered a rumor that Apple may be having a launch event next week for a new line of MacBook Pros. According to the story, this would put the launch event a week ahead of schedule.

As usual, Apple remains tight-lipped about what features will be unveiled in the new laptops, but the one sure thing is that it will include Intel's latest generation Sandy Bridge processor.

Whatever is introduced next week (if the rumor turns out to be true), you can bet we'll have all the details here. Make sure to check back on launch day for photos, specs, and everything else about Apple's latest devices.

This week's apps include an image enhancement tool that produces cool-looking shots and an RTS game that closely resembles one of the most popular strategy games of all time.

TiltShift Generator (99 cents) is not a new product, but I just discovered it and think people will appreciate its unique photo effects. TiltShift images combine blur and other depth-of-field effects to make objects in your photos seem miniature (here's a quick Google image search to give you an idea what I'm talking about). To get the miniature effect, you'll ideally take photos from some distance, but even close-up shots can be put through TiltShift Generator with good-looking results.

TiltShift Generator does a great job of taking you through the process of creating tilt-shift images. The app automatically adds the tilt-shift effect, but you can also go through the process yourself. You start either by taking a photo with your iPhone camera or choosing an existing image from your library. From there you can adjust the blurred effect; change color saturation, brightness, and contrast with sliders; and then adjust vignetting (corner shadowing). What results is a unique image that's very impressive, even if you have little knowledge of photography.

Overall, TiltShift Generator is an easy-to-use app that produces great-looking images with little work. If you enjoy looking at tilt-shift images and want to try making some of your own, this app is a great option.

StarFront: Collision (Free; $6.99 in-app purchase) from Gameloft is a pretty clear rip-off of Blizzard's mega-hit RTS game, Starcraft. With that said, StarFront is a very well-made game and is probably the best RTS game available for the iPhone.

Just like Starcraft, StarFront has three classes, each with its own strategies and tech trees, and each closely resembling the Starcraft classes. It offers a single-player campaign mode that slowly introduces you to the ins and outs of RTS gameplay, just like Starcraft. You'll need to mine resources, build buildings, build units, upgrade your buildings, and upgrade your units, just like in Starcraft. But even with all its similarities, StarFront: Collision does all of these things well, all the way down to the quirky things units say when you interact with them. The storyline is well thought out and engaging, the graphics are crisp on the iPhone 4's Retina Display, and the controls are extremely smart for a touch-screen device.

As an example of the smart controls, you can create and save groups of units so you can later call on an entire squad to perform an action. You do this by using a two-finger reverse pinch to create a selection square around the units, then touch the arrow on the left side of the screen to pull out a squad selection drawer. Choose a number from 1 to 3, and that number will be assigned to the squad. Though limiting your squads to three might be an issue for some players, StarFront's unique system for creating groups is very intuitive on the touch screen.

StarFront: Collision is free to download from the App Store, and includes the tutorial and the ability to play through the first mission to get a feel for the game. An in-app purchase of $6.99 unlocks local and online multiplayer and the full campaign and skirmish modes. The online multiplayer was smooth in our testing, with quick online matchups and no loss of connection during games. There was only one point at which the game notified me I needed to wait for the other player, but after a couple of seconds we were back to the action.

Probably my only complaint about StarFront: Collision is the same as other involved games on the iPhone: how long does someone really want to play a game on the iPhone? Eventually, the need for your constant focus and concentration on the small screen will get exhausting, but in every other area, this game is pretty close to what Starcraft on the iPhone would be if it were made by Blizzard.

Overall, I consider StarFront: Collision a must-download for RTS fans, with 20 missions, endless replay value on seven maps in skirmish mode, along with local and online multiplayer. Furthermore, if Gameloft decides to release an HD version for the iPad or make the app universal, the larger screen real estate will make the game even more enjoyable.

What's your favorite iPhone app? Do you like the results you get from TiltShift Generator? What do you think of StarFront: Collision? Let me know in the comments!

Firefox 4 hasn't even been fully baked and served up yet, but that's not stopping Mozilla from pushing ahead with plans for Firefox 5.

In this slideshow, we get a sense of some of the ideas that Mozilla is toying with for the next version of the browser, including Mozilla's version of Internet Explorer 9's pinned sites feature, a redesigned add-on updater workflow, and heavy promotion of Firefox Sync.

I'm going to let you all in on a little secret: I love math. It may seem out of character for someone who spends her days manipulating the English language, but there you have it. This is a roundabout way of explaining that I actually enjoy tinkering with budgets, which is why I'm a big fan of the Mint app for Android and iOS.

I know financial software isn't the most titillating subject for most people, but Mint's mobile app is worth a download no matter what your predilections. This handy program lets you track all of your financial information--from checking and savings to loans and credit cards--in one streamlined interface. Check out the above video for a closer look.

We've all heard the famous quote before: Nothing is certain in life but death and taxes. And while you could try to avoid your taxes, Uncle Sam is probably going to make your life even more miserable if you do.

Rather than suffer the consequences of illegal action, we suggest you get a jump on your taxes with one of the four tax prep solutions we have thoroughly tested out for you: TurboTax (Web|Windows|Mac), H&R Block (Web|Windows|Mac), TaxAct (Web|Windows), and CompleteTax (Web-only). Oh, and--by the way--in the course of our testing, we did our taxes seven times, so it's safe to say that at the very least, you can count on your filing experience being less painful than ours.

Obligatory disclaimer: We tested the online and (where applicable) desktop versions of each of the four tax prep programs mentioned above, focusing on the Deluxe level offerings. We prepared our federal and California state taxes online and on a PC running Windows XP, using our real W-2s and tax forms. Although we got the same filing results with every program, our experience may not reflect your personal situation.

What you need to know about tax prep software

• Which one?: Most software comes in four levels of guidance, which are geared for everything from simple (the 1040 EZ form) to more complex returns. Many people go with the Deluxe option, which walks you through deductions for things like mortgage and rent, investment income, dependents, and charitable donations. Premier, Premium, or Ultimate adds on home ownership, rental property, and more complicated investments and deductions, whereas Business offers extra tools for small-business owners and self-employed users (and usually bundles a state filing as well).



• E-filing versus printing: E-filing can net you a refund in as few as eight days, whereas refunds on tax forms you print and mail can take up to six weeks. All of the programs included here have an option that allows for at least one free federal e-file for one tax return, but additional e-filing costs can rack up after that. You can expect to be charged extra to e-file state returns or returns for additional family members.

• Online and desktop: With the exception of CompleteTax, which is Web-only, all of these programs offer online and desktop versions. H&R Block At Home and TurboTax support Windows and Mac; TaxAct is Windows-only. Online versions mostly mirror desktop versions, with a few minor differences. Desktop software is typically licensed for up to five free federal e-files (you can print off as many as you'd like); online tax prep usually includes only one free federal e-file. Online tax returns are encrypted and stored on the provider's Web servers. Desktop returns are stored locally on your computer.

Which tax prep program is right for you?
To be perfectly honest, the overall content of the tax interview--that is, the sections and questions that each app guides you through--is almost identical no matter which program you choose. Clarity in language, extra tools, and help and support features are key differentiators, as is price. We sum these up below. For even more information, see our full reviews of TurboTax, H&R Block At Home, TaxAct, and CompleteTax.

Tax prep software 2010

	TurboTax Deluxe 2010	H&R Block At Home Deluxe 2010	TaxAct Deluxe 2010	CompleteTax Deluxe
Versions & pricing	TurboTax Free Edition; TurboTax Deluxe ($29.95); TurboTax Premier ($49.95); TurboTax Home & Business ($74.95); TurboTax Business ($129.95). State filing additional: $27.95 for Free Edition; $36.95 for Deluxe, Premier, and Home & Busniess; $49.95 for Business.	H&R Block Free Edition; H&R Block Basic ($19.95); H&R Block Deluxe ($29.95); H&R Block Premium ($49.95). State filing additional: $27.95 for Free Edition; $36.95 for the others.	TaxAct Free Federal Edition; TaxAct Deluxe Federal Edition ($9.95); TaxAct Ultimate Bundle ($17.95, includes State). State filing is an additional $14.95 for Free and $8 for Deluxe.	CompleteTax Basic (free at press time; $9.95 normally); CompleteTax Deluxe ($19.95); CompleteTax Premium MVP ($49.95 at press time; $59.95 normally; includes State). State filing is an additional $29.95 for Basic and Deluxe.
Pluses	Turbo Tax provides the most import options, and it offers a clear, visually appealing interface with plenty of links and descriptions for tax terms. The service recently paired with Mint.com to offer automatic calculation of interest income.	H&R Block provides the most enjoyable interview process, with plenty of visual cues and clear explanation of tax terms. It also offers the most generous customer support, including one free topic discussion with a tax expert.	TaxAct is the most budget-friendly option and offers a clear interview process that is easy for experienced users to complete quickly. It also includes a handy tool called Answer Center.	CompleteTax offers complete free filing options for those who have lost their jobs over the past year, those who end up owing taxes, and those who successfully import last year's return from a competitor.
Minuses	Turbo Tax is the most expensive option. The summary sections are unnecessarily long.	H&R Block doesn't have as many checks in place to ensure you don't miss entering certain information.	TaxAct doesn't offer as much hand-holding as TurboTax or as much personalized care as H&R Block.	The interface of CompleteTax is dated and completely convoluted in places; it was the only program that we actually got stuck in.
Who it's for	Mint.com users who hate data entry. Also, SnapTax is a great option for filers with very simple needs.	Users who require personal attention and a user-friendly interface with plenty of tax term clarification.	Users who want an inexpensive experience that lets them fly through the tax-filing process.	Only those who fulfill one of the free filing requirements and would otherwise be comfortable filing by hand.

Senior Associate Editor Jessica Dolcourt contributed to this article.

Shortly before the calendar struck 2011, gamers and movie fans alike were treated to something special: a new "Back to the Future" adventure for PC and Mac. It was, by most accounts, a terrific game.

Now it's time for iPad owners to get their, er, McFly on: Back to the Future: Episode 1 HD ($6.99) has arrived. And it's the best thing to grace my tablet in recent memory.

Time (heh) didn't permit me to check out the PC version, so this represents my first look at the game. Ironically, it's something of an anachronism, a pleasant throwback to the graphical adventures of the past. If you ever played the old "Space Quest" or "Monkey Island" games, you'll feel right at home here.

Indeed, this is essentially a puzzle-solving game wrapped in "Back to the Future" trappings. Christopher Lloyd returns as the voice of Doc Brown, and mostly spot-on imitators give voice to Marty, Biff, and other familiar characters.

Although this is a totally new adventure that takes place after the events in the third (and final) movie, the game opens by plunking you into a classic (but cleverly altered) scene from the first movie--a great way to familiarize you with the gameplay mechanics. They're pretty simple: drag your finger to move Marty around the screen, tap something to examine it, store items in your inventory until needed, and so on.

If you want to know more about the game itself, I'll refer you to Eric Franklin's in-depth review. The iPad version has identical content, so I won't rehash it here. (Plus, I don't want to spoil any of the fun and clever surprises.)

I will lodge a couple complaints. First, there's no pause option. Some of the cut scenes run pretty long, and it would be nice if you could stop the action as needed. Second, the load/save game system is unnecessarily confusing.

Finally, and most importantly, the game suffers from a sluggish frame rate and frequent hiccups in the video. This gets annoying in a hurry, to the point where I question whether Telltale Games should have released the game with such a detracting flaw.

If not for that glaring issue, I'd give Back to the Future: Episode 1 HD a full 5 stars--6, even, for giving us such a wonderful (if somewhat late) tribute to one of the all-time great movies. As it stands, I still consider it a must-have for anyone who wonders what a fourth "Back to the Future" installment might have looked like--and how it would have felt to take part in it.

Originally posted at iPad Atlas

One of the crowning features of Windows Home Server, which Microsoft announced it was cutting as part of the next major version of the OS, is set to return with the help of some third-party software makers.

Drive pooling, which lets users take multiple hard drives and turn them into one solid block of storage was made possible by a feature called Drive Extender. In November, Microsoft announced it would be removing the feature in the second major version of the Windows Home Server software, code-named Vail, citing higher-capacity commodity hard drives as making the feature obsolete.

Users cried fowl, prompting Microsoft to say that the decision had been "incredibly hard." And earlier this month, Microsoft followed through on its promise, cutting the feature in its first release candidate of the software.

Not to worry though--as WeGotServed notes--developers DataCore software, Division M, and StableBit are all working on add-ins for Windows Home Server 2011 that will bring the feature back. The first of those, called Drive Bender from Division M, is slated to arrive early next week, with StableBit's DrivePool add-in, and DataCore's Storage Virtualization to arrive later on. All three solutions bring back the capability to pool together multiple drives, with DataCore's solution promising to add in new features like drive mirroring.

The news should be welcomed by current Windows Home Server users who had wanted to update to the newer version of the software when it arrives, without losing their current configurations. As it stands, Microsoft's upgrade path had been to have users copy all of their home server data to external drives before making the switch to the newer version of the operating system.

Windows Home Server was first introduced by Bill Gates at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2007 as a way for home users to store, share, and stream media and other files, attach networked printers, and save PC backups from multiple machines. The final version of the software is expected to arrive sometime in the first half of this year.

Originally posted at News - Microsoft

Google has passed a significant milestone with the release of its first version of Native Client, a software foundation designed to let Web-based applications tap into a person's computer chip.

The software, called Arctic Sea, is available built into Chrome 10, which entered beta testing yesterday. "A big goal of this release is to enable developers to start building Native Client modules for Chrome applications," product manager Christian Stefansen said of the Native Client release in a blog post today.

Native Client--NaCl for short--is an unusual approach to the challenge of letting people download software over the Web. Web applications today often use JavaScript, an increasingly powerful language but one that still limits a program's performance compared with those running natively on a computer--Skype or Photoshop, for example.

Google's NaCl project lets such native software be downloaded directly from a Web server but includes specific security mechanisms to keep out malicious code. Native Client modules must be written with specially modified tools to restrict use of potentially harmful instructions, and the browser examines the software in advance to ensure it executes only the safe operations. NaCl also confines software to a "sandbox" with limited privileges.

Native Client could let code libraries written in the C programming language be relatively easily adapted for browser-based applications. That could make it easier, for example, to build into Web applications the codecs Skype uses for compressing and decompressing video and audio or for the processor-intensive tasks used in Photoshop's image processing. One company that's committed to Native Client is Unity 3D, whose video-game engine can use NaCl for things like simulating physics.

Why is that important? Because Google is a huge believer in cloud computing, in which the state of an application is stored on a central server on the Internet and a browser acts as a vessel to run it. With Native Client, Google thinks it can get to within just a few percentage points of the performance of ordinary native applications, removing a major impediment to the cloud-computing technology.

That is, as long as Google can convince the rest of the world to adopt it. Fortunately for Google, it's got Chrome as a vehicle to deliver such technology into people's hands--and with more than 10 percent of people on the Net using Chrome, Google has a real foothold. With Native Client, Chrome OS could become significantly more capable, too, and with a variation called PNaCl still in the works, it works on the ARM processors that power virtually all smartphones today. Today Native Client works only on 32-bit and 64-bit x86 processors.

A major part of Google's recent NaCl work has been rebuilding it to use a new browser plug-in interface called Pepper, or PPAPI. (NaCl is the chemical abbreviation for sodium chloride--table salt--and is paired with Pepper. Get it?) With this release and Chrome 10, NaCl now uses Pepper.

Native Client remains turned off by default for now, since its own interface isn't quite finished, but it can be enabled through Chrome's about:flags mechanism.

One reason Google is pitching NaCl to developers is that it's finished some security work that had been incomplete. An outer sandbox, not just an inner one, is working for additional protection. And an auto-update mechanism lets Google more quickly replace a version if it's found to have a security problem, the company said.

How far NaCl will spread beyond Chrome remains to be seen. But to be truly useful, it needs programmers writing code.

That's quite possible, of course. One indicator of interest came in a draft Firefox road map for 2011. Regarding Native Client support, Mike Beltzner, Mozilla's outgoing director of Firefox, had this to say: "Some vendor push here, mostly from Adobe."

Google still has some convincing to do. "I don't think Native Client is going to be a very big deal, but Google does, so we'll see how that plays out," Mike Shaver, Mozilla's vice president of engineering, said in a 2010 interview.

And to use NaCl, browsers need a design that isolates plug-ins into separate memory compartments. "We aim to support multiple browsers. However, a number of features that we consider requirements for a production-quality system are difficult to implement without help from the browser. Specific examples are an out-of-process plug-in architecture and appropriate interfaces for integrated 3D graphics. We have worked closely with Chromium developers to deliver these features and we would be eager to collaborate with developers from other browsers," Google said on a NaCl FAQ

Native Client has support now for computing, audio, and 2D graphics. In addition, Google reworked NaCl so that programmers need not worry so much about specifying which particular processor NaCl is running on.

For those who want to give it a try, Google offers a few NaCl demos.

Coming up will be support for 3D graphics, local file storage, the Web Sockets technology for fast server-to-browser communication, and peer-to-peer networking, Google said. Some of that doubtless will wait for the second-generation "Baltic Sea" release.

"We are excited to see Native Client progressively evolve into a developer-ready technology," Google said. Next up will be seeing if programmers share the excitement.

Updated 10:48 a.m. PT and 12:24 p.m. PT with more detail on other browser support and to correct Mozilla's lack of involvement in Pepper work.

Originally posted at Deep Tech

Google released two new versions of Chrome yesterday, version 10 for beta users and version 11 for developers willing to put up with more instability.

With Google's six-week update schedule, the new releases are milestones that Chrome users pass--often not necessarily noticing given the software's silent auto-update mechanism. But there are significant new features coming with the new beta.

Top on Google's list is faster JavaScript with the "Crankshaft" version of the new V8 JavaScript engine. JavaScript runs increasingly sophisticated Web-based applications such as Google Docs, and this highly competitive aspect of browser performance has become even more so with the "Chakra" engine in the forthcoming IE9 from Microsoft.

Crankshaft leaps ahead 65 percent on Google's own V8 benchmark suite. Note, though, that faster JavaScript is only one aspect of overall browser performance, and that other benchmarks such as Mozilla's Kraken can yield different results.

Also in Chrome 10 (Windows | Mac | Linux) is hardware-accelerated video, which can increase computing efficiency and spare battery life; settings controls that move from a pop-up dialog box to a browser tab; and password synchronization among different installations of Chrome (though not, as with Firefox, with Chrome on Android).

Google isn't talking much yet about its Chrome 11 (Windows | Mac | Linux) plans, but it looks like one interesting feature on the way is "chromoting," which lets a Chrome browser remotely take over another machine over a network. It's not unlike LogMeIn or other remote desktop applications, but those can't be installed on a Chrome OS machine, so chromoting gives a browser-based mechanism. That, in turn, would let Chrome OS in effect remotely run some native software that wouldn't run on a Chrome OS machine.

Originally posted at Deep Tech