With the addition of text-to-speech, Microsoft's Streets & Trips remains a solid low-cost GPS alternative.

Text-to-speech conversion. Multisegment routing. Integrates MS Live Search. Coupon search (with subscription).

Small POI database. Sluggish on route recalculation times.

The new version of Picasa keeps what's good about the old and adds some killer new capabilities, like retouching and movie editing.

Polished interface. Geotagging in Web albums. New blemish removal tool. Improved red-eye removal. Support for RAW camera files. Syncs local edits with online images. Free.

Atypical interface may confuse some users at first.

CyberPatrol's comprehensive and flexible parental-control features are suited to home, school, library, or business

Flexible per-user configuration. Browser-independent content filtering includes real-time page analysis. Schedules Internet access. Filters objectionable words in IM conversations. Logs all URLs or only the blocked URLs. Instant override option.

No remote management or notification features. Clever kids can beat time scheduler and IM filter. IM filter may block harmless words.

Since Lala's 2006 launch as a CD-trading service, the company has demonstrated a clear regard for both music fans and music artistsnot to mention an affinity for slick AJAX-powered programming. After trying physical trades and Internet radio ...

Responsive, well-laid-out interface in browser window. Puts local music library online. Compelling pricing model for new music purchases. DRM-free music library rivals Amazon and Rhapsody in size. Ad-free. Admirable behind-the-scenes focus on artist ...

Music Mover misses lots of tracks. Some interface glitches. No mobile device compatibility (aside from buying unprotected MP3 files). No Internet radio channels. Lacks traditional music discovery options (a iTunes Essentials, Celebrity Playlists, user ...

Could the third time be the charm? Lala takes a different approach to digital music by attempting to bridge local music libraries via cloud computingwith mostly positive results.

Comodo Security Solutions offers a wide range of security products and services, including the popular free Comodo Firewall Pro. With the release of Comodo Internet Security 3.5, Comodo has joined the security suite crowd. This free suite sticks to ...

Defense+ monitor reports suspicious behavior by malware. Firewall stealths all ports, limits Internet access to authorized programs, resists attack. Safe Surf prevents buffer overflow attacks

Defense+ monitor reports suspicious behavior by valid programs. Firewall vulnerable to "leak test" techniques and exploits. Antivirus is not certified. Antispyware failed malware cleanup and prevention tests. More impact on performance than expected

For free security Comodo's firewall is still a sound choice, but the antivirus and antispyware parts of this suite just don't do the job. If you need free security, get the firewall alone and add avast! or AVG for free virus/spyware protection.

MYOB may not be the name that comes to mind when you think of small-business accounting software, but it was one of the first for Windows. For $299 (direct), MYOB Premier Accounting 2008 offers a very capable set of tools, and the application's ...

Clean, well-designed interface. Solid set of accounting tools. Card File centralizes databases. Very capable inventory tracking. Do-it-yourself and hands-off payroll available

Incomplete online banking. No links to Web services or extensive outside integration

MYOB will serve you well if you don't need extensive online services. It handles accounting tasks thoroughly and well, and does so using an exceptionally navigable interface.

QuickBooks Accounting Pro Edition 2009 is your small business's best bet for keeping the books balanced for the next year.

Excellent stable of features for small businesses. Good management overviews. Expansive payroll options. Clean, slick interface. Marketing tools.

Limited inventory tracking. Database records and setup could be deeper.

Exceptionally thorough modules, especially inventory. Three payroll levels. Understandable, task-based interface. Good overview tools for managers

New windows open too often. Outdated interface

Peachtree Complete 2009 deals with accounting issues capably, excelling especially at inventory. An interface overhaul and enhanced usability are what's needed to catapult Peachtree into the lead.

BeejiveIM gives you the ability to stay connected to multiple instant-messaging services on your iPhone, even when you close the app, but it's expensive.

Even when the app is closed, it can connect to multiple IM clients and send message notifications to the iPhone Mail app. To switch chats, simply shake the phone

Expensive for an iPhone app. No emoticons. Can't send attachments.

For some reason known only to Steve Jobs, the iPhone has lacked basic cut-and-paste functionality since it was released. That all changes with TextGuru, which charges you $4.99 for the privilege of being able to cut, copy, and paste in documents you ...

Cut, copy, and paste features. Extensive help. File viewer for Microsoft Office docs, PDFs

No undo. Highlighting text for cutting and copying is a bit awkward. Can't edit Office docs

A full-featured text-editing app, TextGuru finally adds cutting and pasting to the iPhone. Its implementation isn't ideal, however, and the interface could stand a few additions to make this a standout program.