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Epson WorkForce 845 printer review: They should call it the WorkHorse

For $200, the Epson WorkForce 845 isn't meant for light-duty use; such would be a waste of its features.

On top of the standard printing, scanning, faxing, and copying you get with most all-in-one machines, this guy also packs in an 8-inch touch-screen control panel and two adjustable input trays that can hold up to 500 total sheets of paper (photo or otherwise), and you can connect it to a computer via USB or a wireless network.

You'll get the most use out of that last function, because it means you'll also be able to use Epson's e-mail print feature. Each WorkForce 845 has a unique e-mail address, so when you're away from the printer you can just attach a document to a message and send it off to that e-mail address, and it'll be waiting for you in the printer.

It works for office-friendly documents like presentations, Web sites, and spreadsheets, but don't take the "WorkForce" name too seriously--it's just as good for family members who want to send quick photos to Grandma, and you can use any device with an Internet connection to send print jobs.

None of those features would prove useful without the printing horsepower to back it up, and the WorkForce 845 certainly performed well in our speed and quality tests. No surprise there, as it's powered by the same print engine as the Editors' Choice Award-winning Epson WorkForce 840.

The WorkForce 845 topped the competition in three out of the four print speed tests we put it through, and we'd put its print quality up against any of the other devices on our Best 5 Printers list.

Still unconvinced? Check out our full review of the Epson WorkForce 845.… Read more

Apple updates iWork for iOS, iMovie, others

Following today's release of iOS 5, Apple has also updated several of its own apps to include support for iOS 5. Apps include Pages, Keynote, and Numbers for iOS, iMovie, Find My iPhone, and Remote.

Pages, Keynote, and Numbers for iOS now include enhancements for use with Apple's iCloud syncing service. Now, users can automatically keep their documents and presentations synced between all their devices using iCloud. Users can also download their iOS documents to their Mac or PC via the iWork section of iCloud.

iMovie, now at version 1.2.2, not only provides support for the … Read more

It's Apple iPhone Day

Sprint has signed a $20 billion dollar deal for 30.5 million new iPhones, and Adobe releases Flash Player 11 and AIR 3 with accelerated 3D graphics support, and check out CNET.com's live coverage of Apple's announcement of the next iPhone(s).

Links from Tuesday's episode of Loaded:

Apple iPhone coverage Spring buying 30.5 million iPhones Flash Player 11 and AIR 3 launch Microsoft cleans up Hotmail inboxes Microsoft axes the Zune Nintendo partners with Dreamworks Subscribe:  iTunes (MP3)iTunes (320x180)iTunes (HD)RSS (MP3)RSS (320x180)RSS HD

Netflix-DreamWorks deal is more spin than win

Is Netflix desperate to generate positive news?

Sure seems that way. Someone gave The New York Times a heads up on a licensing deal that Netflix signed with DreamWorks Animation, the home of such films as "Shrek" and "How to Train Your Dragon," and the paper wrote a breathless story about the agreement.

But the details of the pact make it clear the partnership doesn't warrant the Times' goose-pimply reaction.

The paper made much of how DreamWorks is walking away from a licensing deal with HBO, the dominant pay TV service. This is supposed to … Read more

BetterWorks aims to be Groupon of employee perks

Employees love their perks, be it cheap gym memberships, lower-priced ski lift tickets, or discounted restaurant meals, and a new startup is aiming to do for these kinds of rewards what Groupon and LivingSocial have done for local coupons.

The startup, Los Angeles-based BetterWorks, has a simple idea: reach out to local merchants and strike deals for year-round offers while at the same time signing up companies that will offer those deals to their employees. The result? The companies have new ways to incentivize workers, merchants have a new source of regular customers, and employees get a wide range of … Read more

Apple seeds iTunes 10.5 beta 8, iWork for iOS beta 3 to developers

Apple has released the newest beta seed of iTunes 10.5 as well as iWork for iOS 3 to developers for testing.

Developers can now download both releases from the Developer Center Web site. iTunes 10.5 beta 8 includes a number of security improvements and bug fixes, focusing on iTunes Match (currently in beta as well). Developers can also test the ability to back up to iCloud from inside iTunes.

Developers should be aware that while testing the backup feature, Apple may occasionally delete all information from iCloud, meaning developers should keep a backup of all their information locally. … Read more

AT&T punches up targeted ad business

AT&T is readying a coming out party of sorts for its lower profile targeted advertising business.

Over the past few months, AT&T has quietly moved into the area, expanding the reach of its advertising network, launching a Groupon-like daily-deals site, and testing out a location-based mobile marketing service. In October, the company plans to open up a media labs facility in New York to formally bring the business to light after re-launching earlier this summer as AdWorks.

The moves are part of a broader initiative to get AT&T deeper in the targeted business, a … Read more

Apple nabs more patents for multitouch, iWork

As the patent battles and bubbles continue to grow, Apple has secured the rights to several more patents of its own.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office today published a series of 16 patents now owned by the Cupertino, Calif.-based company, according to Patently Apple.

Here's a rundown on some of the patents that stand out and where we could see them implemented within the Apple empire:

A multitouch related patent designed to reduce the manufacturing cost and performance of these types of displays. (Likely for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch collection, but possibly for a new Mac desktop seriesRead more

Car Tech Live 228: Mini Connected app (podcast)

Ford EV's will run on solar...sort of. Harman Kardon blends home tech and car tech. Andy Rooney could live without all of it. And we drive the Mini Cooper Clubman and its connected app.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 228 SHOW NOTES

CNET checks the tech in the Mini Cooper Clubman JCW

Ford offers solar panels to go with its EVs

Google self-driving car crashes--it wasn't driving.

BMWs will now read Facebook and Twitter updates to you

CNET's LOLCars gallery!

High-speed rail to get $336 million more from feds

Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Wednesday announced his office is dispersing an additional $336.2 million in funds toward the massive U.S. high-speed rail public works project underway.

This time, the money is going for the trains themselves.

Including this latest release, $782 million has been dispersed for purchasing 33 locomotives and 120 bi-level train cars for California, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, and Washington.

The federal government has now allocated a total of $10.1 billion, set aside via the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, for the introduction of high-speed rail as well as updates … Read more