Captain America Trailer

Born during the Great Depression, Steve Rogers grew up a frail youth in a poor family. Horrified by the newsreel footage of the Nazis in Europe, Rogers was inspired to enlist in the army. However, because of his frailty and sickness, he was rejected. Overhearing the boy’s earnest plea, General Chester Phillips offered Rogers the opportunity to take part in a special experiment… Operation: Rebirth. After weeks of tests, Rogers was at last administered the ‘Super-Soldier Serum’ and bombarded by ‘vita-rays.’ Steve Rogers emerged from the treatment with a body as perfect as a body can be and still be human. Rogers was then put through an intensive physical and tactical training program. Three months later, he was given his first assignment as Captain America. Armed with his indestructible shield and and battle savvy, Captain America has continued his war against evil both as a sentinel of liberty and leader of the Avengers.

Battle: Los Angeles

When unknown forces suddenly and mercilessly attack the City of Angels out of nowhere, it's up to a local Marine staff sergeant (Aaron Eckhart) and a new platoon of unseasoned soldiers to meet the threat. As the invasion hits the streets of LA, these Marines become our first and last line of defense in an intense battle against an enemy unlike any they've ever encountered before.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- Part II

Part 1 begins as Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on their perilous mission to track down and destroy the secret to Voldemort's immortality and destruction—the Horcruxes. On their own, without the guidance of their professors or the protection of Professor Dumbledore, the three friends must now rely on one another more than ever. But there are Dark Forces in their midst that threaten to tear them apart.

Meanwhile, the wizarding world has become a dangerous place for all enemies of the Dark Lord. The long-feared war has begun and Voldemort's Death Eaters seize control of the Ministry of Magic and even Hogwarts, terrorizing and arresting anyone who might oppose them. But the one prize they still seek is the one most valuable to Voldemort: Harry Potter. The Chosen One has become the hunted one as the Death Eaters search for Harry with orders to bring him to Voldemort... alive.

Harry's only hope is to find the Horcruxes before Voldemort finds him. But as he searches for clues, he uncovers an old and almost forgotten tale—the legend of the Deathly Hallows. And if the legend turns out to be true, it could give Voldemort the ultimate power he seeks.

Little does Harry know that his future has already been decided by his past when, on that fateful day, he became the Boy Who Lived. No longer just a boy, Harry Potter is drawing ever closer to the task for which he has been preparing since the day he first stepped into Hogwarts: the ultimate battle with Voldemort.

What we know about the Mac App Store (FAQ)

The Mac App Store was introduced Wednesday, though it won't be ready until January.

(Credit: Josh Lowensohn/CNET)

Can lightning strike twice for Apple in its quest for world software domination? Using the same system it pioneered on the iPhone, Apple is trying to bring its software-distribution system to users of its Mac OS.

Steve Jobs introduced the Mac App Store at a special Mac event on Wednesday, and he sounded very confident that his 600,000-strong Mac developer community would be interested in jumping on board. It will look and feel much like the iOS App Store, with paid and free sections, most popular lists, and apps highlighted by Apple. But will the same thing that works for phones and tablets work for desktop and laptops?

It's certainly good timing for Jobs' pitch, since the Mac is at its peak. Apple is selling more Macs than ever right now, a total of almost 14 million in the last year. And with 50 million Mac users worldwide, it's now a $22 billion business for Apple annually, COO Tim Cook reported Wednesday. Last week, IDC reported that Apple had grabbed 10.6 percent of the PC market, good enough for third place in the U.S. market behind Hewlett-Packard and Dell.

Still, there are still some big questions that remain about how a Mac App Store will work, how Apple will enforce rules governing it, and what kind of app makers will join. But here's what we do know, in Q&A format.

When can we use it, and who can access it?

Jobs said Wednesday the Mac App Store going to be ready in "90 days." That puts us at January 28, 2011, which is about the same time when Apple held its iPad event earlier this year. Perhaps a final preview to coincide with an iPad 2.0 event next year?

In any case, the Mac App Store will be compatible with Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Macs starting then and ready for Mac OS X 10.7 Lion Macs next summer.

Will this have the same strict rules as Apple's other App Store?

Though Jobs didn't talk about rules for the Mac App Store on Wednesday, developers have already received them to guide their submissions, which will be taken starting in November. Conveniently for the rest of us, one of the developers leaked the rules already.

Apps downloaded from the Mac App Store will update automatically, just like the iPhone and iPad.

(Credit: Josh Lowensohn/CNET)

So, yes, the rules are in many cases identical to the iOS App Store rules, and when not identical, certainly in the same spirit. The language is the same kind of rules: no buggy or crash-prone apps, no apps with pornography, defamatory language, no use of private APIs, re-creating apps Apple already makes,

And the (rather amusingly vague) ban on "not very useful" apps, just like iOS's ban on "useless or not entertaining" apps.

But there are also some very specific rules that app makers might take issue with. Apple says no apps will be allowed that present a licensing screen on launch, neither will apps that require license keys, or that download and install other apps, or download to the dock or leave a shortcut on the desktop. And if your app's metadata even mentions another computing platform, you're out too.

There's also similar requirements of upholding Apple's very specific development rules. Apps that use "deprecated or optionally installed technologies (Java, Rosetta)" are not allowed. Apple officially deprecated Java Wednesday when it announced it was unlikely to support Java in future versions of Mac OS X.

Apps also can't use third-party installers and must be packaged and submitted using Xcode and use the Mac OS X file system documentation.

And they have to be simple to use and look good, the rules state. "Apple sets a high bar," it says. "If your user interface is complex or less than very good it may be rejected." Apple also warns that apps that try to alter the native user interface elements of Mac OS X are not allowed.

To read them all, see them here.

Will the App Store be the only way to get software onto a Mac?

No. Unlike the iOS App Store, Apple doesn't play the same gatekeeping role with the Mac App Store--at least for now. You can still buy and install software other ways: from a CD, from a USB key, or from the Web. As Jobs put it, the App Store is not the only way to get apps onto a Mac, but it's "the best way."

But looking ahead, it's not hard to imagine Apple going chiefly with this method of software downloading someday. At the Mac event, Jobs also introduced two new models of the MacBook Air, which he called "the future of the MacBook." Neither of those have optical drives, so downloading from an App Store or the Web could very well be where he eventually sees most desktop software going.

What kind of apps will be available in it?

It's not clear yet, especially since Apple just gave the guidelines to developers. But think native apps, like Apple's own Pages, which it showed Wednesday. And while it's open to anyone, the Mac App Store is going to be most beneficial to smaller apps that are hard to sell in boxed variety.

The 30/70 Apple/developer percentage of revenue split might be a harder sell for larger developers that don't need Apple's boost to get Mac users' attention.

What are some of the biggest questions that still need to be answered?

The Mac App Store won't be the only way to get software onto a Mac. But its convenience is hard to argue with--so how will Apple retail partners feel about this new method of distribution? Best Buy and international retailers Apple partners sell boxed software, and Apple will potentially take some of those sales.

Who's going to want to give 30 percent of their revenue to Apple if they have other options? Again, the bigger software makers may be less excited by this idea, but smaller ones are very likely to be interested.

Top 10 Convertibles

What could be better than letting the wind stream through your hair as your convertible roars down the highway? Compared to when they first came off the assembly line, today’s topless cars are flashier, faster and more adept at handling inclement weather. From the super luxurious to the sporty, ragtops take everyday driving to a new level of enjoyment. The following ten cars are some of the best convertibles around.

smart fortwo brabus cabriolet

smart fortwo brabus cabriolet

This sporty micro convertible features enhanced racing wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and a maximum speed of 96 mph, and even manages to accommodate tall passengers comfortably. It excels with urban driving and has the side benefit of turning more heads than a Ferrari.

Mazda MX-5

Mazda MX-5

This sleek two-seater convertible’s primary characteristic is its fun drivability. Along with precise handling, the roadster exhibits an array of traction-related options, a 167-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, heated leather-trimmed bucket seats and a seven-speaker Bose audio system.

BMW Z4 sDrive30i

BMW Z4 sDrive30i

Whether you're cruising down the coast or driving to your daily grind, this sporty hardtop convertible is sure to put a smile on your face. Featuring extra-responsive handling and a powerful 3.0-liter, inline-6 engine, the Z4 allows you to get from point A to B in a hurry; but with a car this fun to drive, why would you want to? 

Audi A5 Cabriolet

Audi A5 Cabriolet

The stylish A5 Cabriolet offers excellent drivability and a quick, turbocharged inline-4 at a starting price considerably lower than that of class competitors such as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 6 Series. Thoughtful touches such as head-level heating and an available blind spot monitoring system mean that this joyride-ready rag-top also makes for an excellent daily driver. 

Infiniti G37 Convertible

Infiniti G37 Convertible

Boasting a fast and efficient 3.7-liter, 325-horsepower V6 with VVEL alongside driver-friendly features like 7-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, adaptive climate control, and the available Bose Open Air Sound System, the G37 Convertible is an intelligently-designed drop-top that proves you don't need to sacrifice speed for luxury.

Lexus IS 250C

Lexus IS 250C

This aerodynamic four-passenger convertible boasts an all-weather three-piece hardtop and an assortment of accessories, such as a feature-packed audio system. Under its hood is a 204-horsepower V6 engine, which balances decent acceleration with reasonable fuel economy.

Porsche Boxster Spyder

Porsche Boxster Spyder

Featuring more horsepower and less weight than previous Boxster models (at 2,811 pounds, the Boxster Spyder is the lightest in the Porsche fleet), this romping roadster offers a pure sports car experience. Adopting a bare-bones approach that shuns ordinarily included amenities such as radio and AC, the Boxster Spyder is all about the drive—and with the roadster's 3.4-liter, 320-horsepower horizontally-opposed 6-cylinder producing top speeds of 166 mph, it's guaranteed to be an exhilarating one. 

Mercedes-Benz E350/E550 Cabriolet

Mercedes-Benz E350/E550 Cabriolet

This fun-to-drive 4-seater, which comes standard with a 3.5-liter, 268-horsepower V6 engine in the E350 model and a 5.5-liter, 382-horsepower V8 in the E550, has the power you crave and the luxury you need to turn a peaceful countryside cruise into a truly exhilarating experience. 

Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible

Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible

Like the coupe version, this two-seat convertible is a natural-born entertainer, and is powered by a 436-horsepower V8 engine and shaped with all the sexy curves that scream danger. Firm handling, quality interior appointments and rocket-like 3.95-second 0-60 mph acceleration are quick to remind riders why the Corvette's an American icon.

Jaguar XKR Convertible

Jaguar XKR Convertible

This luxurious convertible combines high performance with high class for a ride that is both refined and remarkably fast. Although the XKR's well-equipped interior may remind you of that of a full-sized sedan, this is one agile cat who loves to sprint, rocketing from 0 to 60 in just 4.6 seconds.

Top 10 Exotic Sports Cars

There are cars and then there are exotic cars. These aren't sedans we drive to work in, or the SUVs we drive the kids to school with. These are automotive deities, beautiful jewels of speed and sex appeal that populate dreams and computer desktops. With selections from companies like Aston Martin and Lamborghini, plus classic greats like the Chevrolet Corvette, the world of exotics has never been bigger, better or more exciting. We picked a group that is reasonably easy to find and somewhat livable on a daily basis. After all, there's nothing wrong with taking the kids to school in a Ferrari.

Audi R8

Audi R8

Base Price: $109,000
Engine: 4.2-liter V8
Horsepower: 420 @ 7800 rpm
0-60 mph: 4.4 seconds

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Base Price: $199,900 (est.)
Engine: 6.3-liter DOHC 32-valve V8
Horsepower: 563 @ 6,800 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.5 seconds

Porsche 911 Turbo

Porsche 911 Turbo

Base Price: $123,695
Engine: 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged flat-6
Horsepower: 480 bhp @ 6000 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.4 seconds

Spyker C8 Spyder

Spyker C8 Spyder

Base Price: $269,995
Engine: 4.2-liter V8
Horsepower: 400 bhp @ 6500 rpm
0-60 mph: 4.5 seconds

Lamborghini Gallardo

Lamborghini Gallardo

Base Price: $175,000
Engine: 5.0-liter V10
Horsepower: 520 @ 8000 rpm
0-60 mph: 4.1 seconds

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Base Price: $106,520
Engine: 6.2-liter LS9 supercharged V8
Horsepower: 638 hp @ 6,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.4 seconds

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

Base Price: $250,000
Engine: 6.0-liter V12
Horsepower: 611 hp @ 7,600 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.7 seconds

Aston Martin DBS Volante

Aston Martin DBS Volante

Base Price: $283,900
Engine: 5.9-liter, 48-valve V12
Horsepower: 510 hp @ 6,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 4.3 seconds

Maserati GranTurismo

Maserati GranTurismo

Base Price: $120,000
Engine: 4.2-liter V8
Horsepower: 405 hp @ 7,100 rpm
0-60 mph: 5.2 seconds

Nissan GT-R

Nissan GT-R

Base Price: $69,850
Engine: 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6
Horsepower: 480 hp @ 6,800 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.5 seconds

Best Cell Phones 2010

We get a head start on 2010 and take our picks for the best cell phones so far this year.

It’s a new year with new things to look forward to—new haircuts, new styles and even some new cell phones. The top cell phones for 2010 are actually not as new as one would have thought. Although many Verizon customers are loving their new Android-powered Droid smartphone from Motorola, the cell phone kingdom is still dominated by Apple’s iPhone. This may change in time—especially at the rate handset manufacturers are pumping out smartphones with Android operating systems—but it also could grow, like if other carriers were allowed to pick up the iPhone. Rumors that AT&T will be losing iPhone exclusivity have been circulating for months; and while this is just mobile gossip, we do wonder how many Droid holders would drop their cyborg-handset to pick up Apple’s sleek smartphone.
The year is still young, so we’re not going to give into any uncertainties just yet.  It looks like there are a couple of exciting new mobile devices to appear this year, as well as some cameos from our former favorites. Check out our picks for the top 2010 cells phones—so far.

iPhone 3GS

Apple’s iPhone still reigns supreme when it comes to the cell phone kingdom—setting a standard for the rest of the cellular community. The iPhone is still the company’s main breadwinner, selling 8.7 million of the elite Apple phones just this past quarter. The latest version, the iPhone 3GS, comes in a 16GB model and 32GB model, and is available in both black and white.  The iPhone 3GS sports multimedia messaging, video recording, voice dialing, up to 5 hours of 3G talk time or 12 hours on 2G, built-in digital compass, and the same awesome multimedia functions.
The iPhone 3GS also features the iPhone OS 3.0 mobile operating system, making the phone’s multitasking abilities possible. The only thing that we don’t love about the iPhone 3GS is its 3 megapixel camera that snaps fuzzy photos and videos—Apple also knows that’s one place this high-powered smartphone could improve, so we have our fingers crossed for an update this June.
The iPhone 3GS is available for $199 (16GB model) or $299 (32GB model) with two-year AT&T contract.

Blackberry Bold 9700

RIM’s BlackBerry smartphones have always been practical, but recently the Canadian company has been producing some stylish handsets.  This business-chic handset boats a high resolution 480×360 pixel color display, Integrated GPS with A-GPS, 35 key backlit QWERTY keyboard, 35 key backlit QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi, 3G, 3.2 megapixel camera, video recording and a touch-sensitive trackpad. The Bold 9700 comes with BlackBerry OS 5.0, enabling full HTML Web browsing, calendar and contact management, and integration with corporate email systems like Microsoft Exchange.
If you don’t need any of the frills of other phones the iPhone or Palm Pre, then the utilitarian handset may be the smartphone for you. And if you’re feeling fun and frivolous, the Bold 9700 can also tap into RIM’s BlackBerry App World and uses BlackBerry Media Sync to link up with iTunes or Windows Media Player—also the BlackBerry Bold 9700 can play up to 38 hours of music on a single battery charge.
The BlackBerry Bold 9700 is available from AT&T for $199 and T-Mobile for $129.99 with a contract and online discount.

Motorola Droid

Verizon and Motorola should be very proud of their Droid smartphone—with each new Google Android-powered phone exceeding the next, the Motorola Droid is definitely at a superior status within its OS community. The Motorola Droid was the first truly considerable iPhone-killer, and once industry pros got their hands on it they realized why—it was fast due to Verizon’s superior EV-DO Rev A network, a solidly built smartphone, and quite a handsome handset.

The Droid was a momentous moment for both Verizon and Motorola—it was Verizon’s first Google Android phone and it reinstalled the mobile community’s faith in Motorola as a handset manufacturer. The Droid sports a gorgeous 400,000-pixel 16×9 3.7-inch LCD touchscreen, the speedy Android 2.0 operating system, slide-out QWERTY keyboard, Voice-prompted Google Maps Navigation, Bluetooth v2.1+EDR, a 5 megapixel camera, 480p HD camcorder, and a 1400 mAh battery that provides up to 6.4 hours of talk time.
The Motorola Droid is currently available exclusively from Verizon Wireless for $299.99 including a two year contract; or the Droid is also available from Motorola for $599.99.

HTC Nexus One by Google

The Nexus One has been overshadowed by the madness of Apple’s iPad rumors and announcements, and we think Google first phone merits a little more positive attention than it’s been receiving. Always a formidable competitor, Google took on the task of creating their own smartphone to duke it out in the mobile market with Apple, RIM and the best of them. With a little help from HTC—Nexus One handset manufacturer—Google put out quite the high-quality cell phone.

The Nexus One sports a speedy 1 GHz Snapdragon processor from Qualcomm, a large 3.7-inch and 800 by 480-pixel AMOLED display, a 5 megapixel video-capable camera with an LED flash, 512 MB of flash storage, and built-in GPS and mapping navigation. The new Google phone also ship with Android 2.1 making it super speedy—as well as offering full support for services like Gmail  and ties in with social networking services like Facebook and Twitter.
The Google Store is offering the Nexus One for $529 without service, or $179 with a new two-year contract from T-Mobile. This spring Verizon and Vodaphone should also be offering the Nexus One.

Motorola Backflip

If you lusted after the Motorola CLIQ while trapped in an AT&T service plan, 2010 is your lucky year. The backwards, back-flipping CLIQ-like smartphone—the Motorola Backflip—will be arriving at AT&T this year. The Motorola Backflip is a multitasking Android smartphone that features MOTOBLUR and a unique reverse-flip design. Motorola says this new phone’s design makes it easier to enjoy videos, music and photos. The Backflips’ QWERTY keyboard helps you to blast through e-mails, texts, news feeds and social network messages. This device supports Bluetooth A2DP, a high-res 3.1” HVGA screen, 3G Internet, Wi-Fi access and a 5 megapixel camera.
The Motorola Backflip is not out yet and the details of its release date are scarce. The new Android-powered smartphone will be one of the few handsets arriving at AT&T this year—we think between that and its promise as a genuinely good phone; it’s enough to celebrate it.
CNET sites the Backflip as coming to AT&T on March 7, but nothing has been confirmed. The phone will launch in Q1 of this year. So if you’re looking for a spiffy and speedy Android smartphone with a solid build, Motorola may just have one for you.

Palm Pre Plus

The Palm Pre Plus is the revamped version of Palm’s Pre smartphone. Most people who have gotten a chance to handle this device—like when it was displayed at CES this year—have said it’s much sturdier and a lot easier to use. Aside from the memory gain, a couple quick hardware tweaks and debuting on Verizon’s super fast network, there isn’t as much of a significant difference between the Pre and the Pre Plus.
The Pre Plus now sports 16GB of memory, 512MB of RAM, and the new the WebOS SDK making WebOS apps a little more versatile and plentiful. The slide-out QWERTY keyboard which Palm claims has been enhanced for a better user experience is great for those avid texters, and this compact smartphone boasts Palm’s newest WebOS platform making it extra speedy.
The Palm Pre Plus is available from Verizon Wireless for $150 with a two year contract and after rebate.

Sony Ericsson Vivaz

Sony Ericsson’s Vivaz smartphone is quite the pack: it runs Symbian S60 5th Edition operating system powered by a 720MHz processor and has PowerVR SGX graphics acceleration. The Vivaz also comes with AGPS, TV-out at VGA resolution, a 3.2-inch WVGA, FM radio, 2.0 Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Vivaz is quad band GSM with 3G support provided via HSDPA/HSUPA (10Mbps / 2 Mbps). The slender smartphone is 107 x 51.7 x 12.5mm and weighs a mere 97g. To add to the already long list of specs, the Vivaz also comes with excellent email functionality, supporting IMAP, POP3 and SMTP protocols and Microsoft Exchange, and includes support MMS, EMS, and for SMS messages which are displayed in threaded view.
The shining star among the rest of the high-end features powering the Vivaz is its HD video recording capability. The 8.1megapixel camera not only has LED flash, image stabilization and face detection, it also allows you to capture clips with a 720p resolution that you can directly upload to YouTube and Picasa.
The Vivaz has not been released yet but the company says it will launch within this quarter in both American and global markets. Were telling you about this little gem of a smartphone because we’re pretty keen on it and its HD video capabilities and we think it’s one of 2010 best phones so far.