The inclusion of Private Browsing in Beta 2 suggests that the Mozilla Firefox 3.1 web browser will be a must-have for all Firefox fans.

Beta 2 of Firefox 3.1 is fast and stable and incorporates two important changes to the browser: a Private Browsing mode, and a faster rendering engine. We used it without problems or crashes on two different PCs. Those who want to see the future of Firefo...

If you're looking for a Windows web browser that bristles with power features, and don't mind a somewhat unattractive interface and some confusing configuration, then Maxthon 2.1 may be the browser for you.

If you're a power user, you can get used to some Microsoft Internet Explorer-related eccentricities. If you're looking for the most features in a web browser, live with Maxthon 2.1 a while, and you may learn to love it.

F-Secure Internet Security 2009 adds 64-bit Windows Vista support to its impressive reputation for finding and evicting malware

F-Secure Internet Security 2009 is accurate but suffers from usability drawbacks such as a requirement for a relatively high degree of user intervention. This makes it more awkward to use than some smarter rivals. F-Secure Internet Security 2009 delivers...

Flash CS4 features a radically revised animation environment.

Between the restructuring of animation paths and Motion Editor-centered animation controls, Flash CS4 is whole new world for animators, with features that are both more intuitively cohered to the whole CS4 logic, and more powerful. Other animation enhance...

Those who expect Internet Explorer 8.0 to be a warmed-over version of IE7, or a me-too response to Firefox 3.0, will be surprised by the just-released Beta 2 of IE8.

Internet Explorer 8.0 Beta 2 is much improved over the first developer's beta of IE8 and includes many new features, such as improved tab handling and better search. Consumers who want to see a preview of the future of IE and enterprises that need to plan...

The Iconfactory's Twitterrific is my favourite Mac client for the Twitter social-messaging service, and the new iPhone edition of Twitterrific is my favourite of the first generation of iPhone apps.

Twitterrific is currently the classiest of the Twitter client apps on the iPhone, but it's got stiff competition close behind. What Twitterrific lacks in features, it more than makes up for by getting the interface and most important parts of Twitter - re...

Symantec is working on the next iteration of Norton Internet Security, NIS 2009, with the mantra of what it's calling Zero Impact Performance: "Security so light and fast you never even know it's there - until you need it."

The beta of NIS 2009 shows that Symantec is on track to vastly improve performance in Norton. The UI is clear and uncluttered, putting front and centre only the elements most users need to see, while allowing for easy drill-down for those who want more. H...

Kaspersky's latest security package offers an attractive combination of features and protection

It's getting harder and harder to find so-so AV security packages these days. KIS 2009 is a worthwhile upgrade to its predecessor: it offers a very attractive combination of features and protection at a good price. Factor in its low impact on system resou...

BullGuard Backup 8.0 is the second generation of Bullguard's off-site storage app. And with 10GB storage included, it's excellent value.

We had reservations about the first release of BullGuard Backup, not so much because of the software which was a delight to use, but the rather stingy storage provision. Now that Bullguard has addressed this issue, BullGuard Backup 8.0 comes highly recomm...

Firefox 3.0 is the best web browser we've ever seen.

Nothing is perfect in this world. Still, when it comes to web browsers, Firefox 3.0 is as good as they come. Certainly, compared with the forthcoming Internet Explorer 8 and the security problem-prone Safari, Firefox 3.0 is the standout browser for 2008....