Whoa look up at the calendar, taxes are due next Monday, April 15 and you better get your apps ready. Most software is free, the filing of federal or sate taxes may cost you. We've found the cheapest filing fees for you.

We've used many of the products in different versions.  The newest app that seems promising is TaxACT's DocVault, to help you keep track of your documents before you complete your tax preparation. All of the tax apps come with support, audit support and highest refund guarantees.

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We know that Walmart has been offering deals on smartphones and even discounting the iPhone, now they are starting a program where customers can use their iPhones to check out and pay at self-service lanes.

Walmart touts it as a faster way to shop and save by scanning items with iPhones and putting them in bags in the cart while shopping.

Over half of Walmart shoppers use smartphones, the new service "Scan & Go" is designed to get shoppers through the self-service line quickly.

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The Oscars will be aired Sunday night and there are all sorts of mobile ways to participate. Last year the official app was only available for iPhones and iPads, this year you can download apps for other OS. There are also a variety of ways to Tweet about the event and new social channels to watch. Like the SuperBowl, expect some big stars in the commercials aired during the show.

The Official Oscars Apps this year are for iPhone, iPad, Android and Amazon Appstore for Kindle.

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There is now a PetFinder Android app today, and an updated iOS app. It gives smartphones the ability to chose, find and  decisions about adoption when looking for a furry companion.

App users can see 375,000 pets from approximately 14,000 Petfinder member shelters and rescues. Features of the apps include:

Search by type, breed, gender, age, shelter or rescue group.
Contact information and directions to the rescue group associated with each pet.
Sharing of pets with friends via email, Facebook and Twitter.

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While, I'm sneezing over my keyboard that is filled with germs suffering from the latest flu bug, I thought I could help  those who haven't caught it, yet, with guidelines and apps.

First off, someone who had the flu showed me some videos on her iPhone, I held the iPhone and didn't wash my hands- my bad.  Yes, I should have gotten a flu shot. Another problem I realized is that I have been wearing the same earphones listening to music while sick in bed without cleaning them, yuck.

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After showing all the best carrier and prepaid  wireless deals for Valentines, yesterday, here are some apps and websites to show your Valentine your love (or find a Valentine in a new mobile way). 

Red Stamp Your Approval (Free)

Email, text, tweet, Facebook, Instagram and paper mail your love in personalized photo cards, notes, with Red Stamp for iPhone and iPad.

Treat Your Valentine to Personalized Cards

You can send personalized greeting cards for Valentines Day or special occasions from iOS app or PC for as little as $1.99.  The Treat Card App is available in the iTunes store.

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There are many new apps and patent applications for the iPhone that were in the news today including MailBox, Stop & Frisk,  Seasaw, GetGlue and Skype updates. Two new patents by Apple show a new unlock feature and enhanced hearing aid capability.

Email can be overloading, so much so that at there are 260,000 waiting to download a new free app called MailBox that promises to end inbox clutter by giving users action steps with each email including, resolve, delete, file or schedule it for later.Emails can be turned into to-do lists, and you do tasking in batches.

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If you don't have the time to go to H&R Block, there are several new ways to connect with the tax preparation company. iPhone and Android apps offer easy filing in English and Spanish for free through February 15. The iPad app lets you change between iPad and PC. There is also new video conferencing feature for iPad users.

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Probably one of the best uses for vour computer or iPad is it to help people with disabilities or character features for which the rest of the world need help understanding

At CES we were pleased to see the use of Fleksy a predictive on-screen keyboard for iPhone and Android by Justin who is blind.  He spoke of his blindness as being part of his character and he did not consider it a handicap.

Now there is a handwriting to speech application for iPad that helps people who need to convey speech through handwriting.

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Today, is the first day that you e-file you taxes. For the mobile tax filer, TurboTax offers mobile apps. TurboTax reminds us that the average refund of $2700 last year.

SnapTax is for people who don’t own a home, only have W-2, interest, or unemployment income and earned less than $100K in 2012 ($120K if married). You can get your taxes done in 10 minutes with TurboTax SnapTax for iPhone and Android.

You take a photo of your W-2 to automatically import your info into the app, answer a few easy questions and e-file securely on your smartphone, or finish your return online.

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Attention future astronauts, the  International Space Apps Challenge will take place April 20-21, with events on earth and in space, if  want you to develop apps with NASA. The Space Apps Challenge is sponsored by NASA and government agencies. Registration opens on March 1. The International Space Apps Challenge is a “codeathon-style” event. Contest entrants will develop mobile applications, software, hardware, data visualization and platform solutions that could contribute to space exploration missions and help improve life on Earth.

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