Google's experimental game streaming service launches without many of its promised features and just a handful of games. It works, but there's not much incentive to buy in.

Editors' Choice

Adobe Flash CS3 Professional

Adobe has improved the speed of Flash and its integration with other CS3 apps, although flashy new features are few. Plus, Flash now works natively on Intel-based Macs.

DirecTV Now

DirecTV Now delivers an impressive mix of channels for the money, but people who prioritize a cloud DVR should look elsewhere.

SunRocket Internet Phone Service

If you're thinking about ditching your landline, SunRocket is a potential contender. A low price and lots of features are attractive, but the voice quality of your calls may vary.

EarthLink DSL

EarthLink DSL service is perfect for the home user who wants broadband speed without paying cable prices.

Brinkster Web Host

Brinkster offers a reasonable amount of bandwidth and storage for a low price, but its above-average technical support makes it stand out.

Verizon V Cast

While it falls short of TV-quality video, Verizon's 3G V Cast service offers plenty of eye candy and speedy Web browsing for a reasonable price.

Logic Pro X

Logic Pro X 10.1 from Apple is a self-contained music studio that offers tremendous flexibility and power -- once you get past the learning curve.

$99.95 MSRP

QuickBooks Simple Start 2005

QuickBooks Simple Start is easy to learn, but the lack of budgeting, payroll, and Excel-import tools limits its usefulness. We recommend a more powerful accounting app, such as QuickBooks.

$799.95 MSRP

QuickBooks Point of Sale 4.0

The well-designed QuickBooks Point of Sale Pro 4.0 is a cash register on steroids--a hardware and software system for managing a retail business.

Iolo System Mechanic 4.0 Professional

System Mechanic 4.0 Professional offers a better selection of tools and technical support than Norton SystemWorks Professional does.

Spybot Search and Destroy

Spybot is both free and adaptable for both beginning and power users, but it left behind several known spyware apps.

$99.95 MSRP

Intuit QuickBooks Premier 2009 keeps the program's well-designed, intuitive interface, while adding a few new features. It's a worthy upgrade for people serious about online banking, and it remains the best accounting program for small business owners. However, Intuit should be more generous with customer support, particularly for setup issues.