return

BlackBerry to ask for probe into report on Z10 returns

BlackBerry plans to ask U.S. and Canadian regulators to probe a report about high return rates for the company's flagship Z10 smartphone, calling the comments "false and misleading."

The Canadian company said that within the next several days, it will formally ask the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Ontario Securities Commission to review a report from research and investment firm Detwiler Fenton that claims there have been "unusually high" return rates for the recently released device.

BlackBerry Chief Legal Officer Steve Zipperstein said in a statement:

These materially false and misleading … Read more

Master gravity in Return to Earth

The quirky and cute robot genre has been around for decades. Since the 1980s, when movies featuring robots exploded, and even recently with Disney film "WALL-E" touting the insurmountable spirit of a trash-removing robot, they have captured the imagination of humans everywhere. Return to Earth harnesses that fascination and creates an intriguing, occasionally frustrating game full of challenges and rewards, all with a stubborn little robot at its core.

The concept of the game is simple. Get your robot home from another planet. Levels are set up very similarly to other iOS games. There are dozens of micro … Read more

File your 2012 federal income tax from your Android phone with TurboTax SnapTax

Taxpayers who file the 1040EZ income tax form have always had it easier, at least when it comes to the paperwork. They've long enjoyed the ability to file electronically, for instance. Things just got even easier for 1040EZ users, thanks to TurboTax SnapTax, a free Android app from one of the biggest and most trusted names in tax preparation, especially online tax prep and e-filing. With SnapTax, you can file your 2012 federal income tax returns using your Android smartphone, or tablet, or any device running Android, so long as it has a high-resolution camera. Simply take snapshots of … Read more

Save up to $20 on TurboTax Online

You've got just over a month to file your annual tax return, meaning the time has come to start shopping for a deal on tax software.

I have something of a love/hate relationship with TurboTax, but it's been my go-to product for the last several years. Warts aside, it gets the job done.

And today it'll get it done a little cheaper. For a limited time, you can save up to $20 on TurboTax Online. That means $34.99 for for TurboTax Online Premier and $54.99 for TurboTax Online Home and Business. Both versions include … Read more

How to avoid unpleasant surprises when buying or selling online

According to a recent survey, if you're looking to buy something online, you're most likely to be pleased with the outcome if you make the purchase on Amazon.com.

The world's largest Web retailer tops the list of online vendors in ForeSee's Holiday E-Retail Satisfaction Index with a rating of 88 on a scale of 1 to 100. This marks the eighth consecutive year Amazon has finished atop ForeSee's annual holiday survey of online shoppers; the results of this year's survey were released on December 27, 2012.

Overall customer satisfaction with Web retailers has … Read more

Behind the scenes with the world's greatest 'Star Wars' collection

PETALUMA, Calif.--Driving along the back roads of this idyllic, easy-going Northern California town, you'd never know that behind the walls of one of the most unassuming buildings around is perhaps the best collection of geek memorabilia in the world.

Welcome to Rancho Obi-Wan, Steve Sansweet's homage to his life's passion -- "Star Wars," a non-profit museum dedicated to serving "the public through the collection, conservation, exhibition and interpretation of [the films'] memorabilia and artifacts." Formerly Lucasfilm's head of fan relations and a Los Angeles-based reporter for the Wall Street Journal, Sansweet … Read more

Score touchdowns with Kickoff Returner

Kickoff Returner lets you play a kickoff return specialist, charging up a football field and dodging opponents, trying to get into the end zone. This is not a full football simulation, just providing that one specialist play. There's a free version of Kickoff Returner as well as a full version for $1.99.

When launched, Kickoff Returner shows a schematic of the football field from overhead, with opponents represented as helmet-and-shoulder silhouettes. Your task is to start running up field, maneuvering around the opponents who are all out to stop you. Moving your runner with the mouse or keyboard, … Read more

Feds probe alleged hacking theft of Romney's tax returns

The U.S. Secret Service is looking into claims that someone stole presidential nominee Mitt Romney's income tax returns and is threatening to release them if he doesn't pay up.

Secret Service spokesman George Ogilvie told CNET today that the agency is investigating, but had no further comment.

The claim was made in a post on the Pastebin site on Sunday that alleged that Romney's federal tax returns were taken from the offices of PriceWaterhouse Coopers in Frankin, Tenn., on August 25 by someone who snuck into the building and made copies of the document. The message … Read more

Giant Rancor ready to bite Star Wars Celebration VI

The sci-fi epic "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" featured a truly terrifying monster known as Rancor. For those unfamiliar with the reference, Luke Skywalker heroically fought the beast with merely a bone in a cave during the Jabba's Palace sequences.

A "life-size" Rancor makes a big debut later this month during Star Wars Celebration VI in Orlando, Fla., a massive fan gathering for devotees of the sci-fi saga held every few years. During the convention, saber swingers can interact with many exhibits, stars, artists, and other activities associated with the movies. … Read more