returns

Looking ahead to the 'Star Wars' Lego sets

The next generation of "Star Wars" Lego hardware includes two sweet throwback scenes that will tempt any fan of the sci-fi series, as well as a cluster of exotic early-trilogy ships, according to images and information garnered from past toy fairs and a recent update on Lego's official site.

Jabba's Palace, pictured above, appears to be the easy winner in the summer 2012 collection with an all-star cast of nine characters including Leia as Boushh the bounty hunter and a captured Chewbacca. While the $119 tag might turn off some buyers, the charm factor appears high. We love Jabba's ridiculous form factor, his hyena-like minion Salacious Crumb, and the foreboding Han frozen in Carbonite. While the play area appears limited, other views indicate the 717-piece set offers far more detail than first meets the eye. … Read more

Snap a pic of your W-2 with SnapTax

If your tax situation is simple (no children, don't own a home, income under $100K, and so on), then you are likely filing a 1040EZ this April. If that's the case, then you may want to think about filing your taxes right from your mobile device.

With the TurboTax SnapTax app, you can fill out your 1040EZ tax form right on your phone or tablet. The app can even enter income information using your device's camera.

Before getting started, SnapTax asks if you'd like to create an account. You can work without one, which is nice, … Read more

Forecast your refund with TaxCaster

Intuit's TaxCaster app can quickly estimate your federal tax refund based on just a few bits of personal information. Even for the most inexperienced taxpayer, it's incredibly simple to understand and use.

At the top of the screen is a meter that displays your estimated tax refund. As you make your way through the app, it considers your answers and recalculates its estimate accordingly. And of course, the more answers you provide, the more accurate its estimate gets.

Three main tabs sit just below the meter, each housing a different category of questions: About You; Total Income; and … Read more

Christmas 2011 online shopping return policies

Hey, it happens. You buy a tech gift for someone (or yourself) over the holidays and it doesn't work out.

Maybe that new tablet is just too complicated for your parents or the new digital camera you bought for yourself takes lousy photos. Product returns are as much a part of the holiday shopping experience as buying them, unfortunately.

Return policies can vary greatly from retailer to retailer. Over the holidays, most retailers have extended return periods. Some retailers with a brick and mortar presence, even allow online purchases to be returned at the physical stores. Check out the … Read more

Lucasfilm changes original Star Wars trilogy again

Obi-Wan Kenobi may have been jolted out of his bed this morning by the millions of voices complaining about rumored changes to the original trilogy in the Star Wars Blu-ray collection, which will be available on September 16.

Entertainment blogger Devin Faraci was first to confirm with several sources that there will be several adjustments to the classic sci-fi movies: one for the original "Star Wars" (Episode IV), and two in "Return of the Jedi" (Episode VI). The New York Times has confirmed with Lucasfilm that changes are happening. To add even more fuel to the fire, there is video. … Read more

Apple's Taiwanese App Store gets refund policy

To comply with local consumer-protection laws, Apple has rolled out a new refund policy in the Taiwanese versions of its App Store, Mac App Store, and iBookstore.

The changes, reported by IDG News this morning, give app buyers the option to get a refund on paid applications and e-books within seven days of buying them from one of Apple's digital storefronts. As part of the new policy, Apple is requiring that users delete all downloaded copies of the content.

Apple's updated terms and conditions document now spells out the change right up near the top:

You may cancel … Read more

preGame 54: E3 2011 wrap-up; Alice: Madness Returns

With Jeff back from E3 and Mark a little under the weather, preGame welcomes guest host Wilson Tang to help wrap up the highs and lows of E3 2011.

We'll discuss in-depth each major console manufacturer's presence at the show and what it was like to play with the PlayStation Vita and Wii U. We'll even have some never-before-seen footage of Jeff's hands-on time with Wii U and its tablet controller!

The first week after E3 has certainly had its fair share of controversies, so we'll leave the Duke Nukem Forever talk to The 404 and move on to what we think is this week's sleeper, Alice: Madness Returns.

Finally, we'll check out Nintendo's latest commercial for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D starring Robin Williams!

Be sure to tune in next week when we'll have a live demo of Shadows of the Damned!… Read more

preGame 54: E3 2011 wrap-up; Alice: Madness Returns

With Jeff back from E3 and Mark a little under the weather, preGame welcomes guest host Wilson Tang to help wrap up the highs and lows of E3 2011.

The first week after E3 has certainly had it's fair share of controversies, so we'll leave the Duke Nukem Forever talk to The 404 and move on to what we think is this week's sleeper, Alice: Madness Returns.

Finally, we'll check out Nintendo's latest commercial for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D starring Robin Williams!

Be sure to tune in next week when we'll have a live demo of Shadows of the Damned!… Read more

The 404 806: Where we're over being cool (podcast)

Mr. Natali Morris is on the show today which means we get to geek out with Clayton about tech vests, on-air personalities, comic book movie adaptations, and the sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum!

The 404 Digest for Episode 806

Watch the campy 1966 "Batman" movie, featuring Adam West and Burt Ward. Clayton's Scott eVest has enough room for an iPod, an iPad, a book, and a 2-liter bottle of soda. Clayton Morris and Mike Quackenbush talk more about the Batman movies on the Grizzly Bear Egg Cafe. Check out Clayton on Fox and Friends.

Episode 806 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

The 404 799: Where Natali whips her hair back and forth (podcast)

It's Natali Morris' second-to-the-second-to-the-last appearance on the show before her departure from CNET on April 29, but today she turns the studio upside down when she tells us she disliked "Batman Returns." After we finish putting the studio back together, we also chat about the effects of Coldplay on your romantic life and play a couple Calls From the Public.

The 404 Digest for Episode 799

Coldplay fans are least likely to have sex on first date? Never say anything bad about " Batman Returns." One of today's Calls From the Public references this NHL promo commercial.

Episode 799 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more