2009 is the year of the Web browser. We've had the best version of Opera in history, the most impressive version of Safari, the beginnings of Google's Chrome on the Mac, and now a brand-new version of Firefox -- version 3.5, as we discussed this morning.

Three release candidates were released before the final version went public this week, and we've been using them for a couple of months. New features, all of which we've been testing, include an enormous speed boost, a private-browsing function to help keep sensitive data from prying eyes, and a feature that lets Firefox know where you're working from. But we'll come to those shortly, because we're going to talk about JavaScript first.

Sure, you got an iPhone to look cool on the train on to work, but don't forget that it does more collect face grease and make amusing fart noises. So whether it's from the patio of your Tuscan villa or from your sweaty commuter-packed carriage, this collection of iPhone apps will transform your iPhone into an office. Some are paid for, but many are free, and all links will take you direct to the iTunes App Store.

Continuing our sporadically added-to series of iTunes guides, here's a collection of four more-than-just-the-basics tips for getting more out of the software -- multiple libraries on single machines, the best uses for Smart Playlists, getting true CD-quality rips from your CD, and tips for getting perfect album art.

The penny has finally dropped on Windows 7 pricing here in Europe. The short version is that we're getting our own European version (Windows 7 E), of Microsoft's new operating system, at a selection of discount prices, depending on when you buy it.

Let's get one thing straight from the start: if you're in Europe, Microsoft has decreed you can't upgrade from your existing version of Windows to 7 E. You'll have to install 7 E from scratch, wiping out your current version and all your existing data.

Even though there's no upgrade version and you won't actually be upgrading, Microsoft has confused the issue by referring to the pricing as an 'upgrade price'. Confused? We don't blame you, as we certainly were. To make things clearer, we'll call it 'switching' to 7 E instead of 'upgrading'. Questions? Fire away!

Microsoft has announced prices for Windows 7 in the UK, and they're basically the same as for Vista, apart from a tasty-looking pre-order promotion. Gates' mates also confirmed Internet Explorer will be axed from the European version of the magnificent 7, which will be known as Windows 7 E.

Windows 7 E will start at £80 for users upgrading to the Home Premium edition. Upgrades to the Professional and Ultimate editions will cost £190 and £200 respectively.

Buying Windows 7 E new will cost you £150 for the Home Premium edition, £220 for the Professional version and £230 for the Ultimate package.

David Fincher is in 'advanced talks' to direct the Columbia Pictures movie about the origins of Facebook, according to Variety.

The movie, based on Ben Mezrich's upcoming book The Accidental Billionaires, was written by The West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin. It's being produced, Variety reported on Tuesday, by Scott Rudin and Michael De Luca, along with Dana Brunetti and actor Kevin Spacey. Variety said the movie is called The Social Network. We hear this is a very preliminary working title.

Fincher's past directorial work includes Fight Club, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Panic Room.

An entertainment industry source told CNET UK sister site CNET News that early casting searches are underway and that the list of young actors being considered to play Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg includes both Michael Cera (Superbad, Arrested Development) and Shia LaBeouf (Transformers).

Cera is, according to the source, the top choice because audiences find him particularly likable. Rumours about the plot of The Accidental Billionaires hint that Zuckerberg is going to be portrayed rather unfavourably -- basically, as an obnoxious nerd -- and obnoxious nerds are not the world's biggest box-office selling point.

Microsoft is trying to make Windows 7 easier to engage with than Windows Vista on many levels -- right down to the box it comes in.

One of the many criticisms levelled at Windows Vista was the incredibly complex packaging that Microsoft used. The same criticism applied to Office 2007. In an effort to prevent theft and piracy, Microsoft created boxes that required their own set of instructions to open.

In a blog posting on Wednesday, Microsoft said it will use packaging that's similarly shaped to that of Vista, but the box will open more like a standard DVD case.

The case, which will be recyclable, will contain just the disc and a getting-started guide. Overall, Microsoft said it has reduced the weight of the packaging by 37 per cent.

Microsoft has been fairly generous in letting people play around with Windows 7 for free, but it has put some time limits on that generosity.

Those who want to try out the release candidate of Windows 7 only have until 15 August to download the code. After that date, you can still install a copy you have downloaded (and even get additional product keys), but most people won't be able to get the code from Microsoft's Web site.

A separate deadline is looming for those still running the beta version, as opposed to the release candidate. From 1 July, that software will start shutting down every other hour.

YouTube is massively popular and incredibly simple to use, but it has a few powerful features that are tucked away. This guide is to help you learn how to use some of these advanced options and to serve as a simple reference page.

For the sake of simplicity we're only covering searching, viewing and sharing. We've skipped uploading since it's pretty straightforward and made simple with the service's recently launched multi-file uploader.

LiveJournal blogger HappyWaffle (real name Kevin) recently posted a great story about how he purportedly used Apple's MobileMe service to track down his iPhone, which was stolen while he was at a bar. By using a laptop with a wireless data card, he and his friends used the 'Find My iPhone' service to figure out where it was and managed to get it back from the person who had taken it. They even used Google Translate to alert the thief (in multiple languages) that they would call the police if the device was not returned.

As good as the story is, much of it relies on iPhone owners having certain settings flipped on, as well as the person who has the phone not knowing the right ones to turn off. For one, they can disable all of the MobileMe features by simply yanking the SIM card out or deleting the MobileMe account from the phone.

With the Palm Pre successfully launched in the US, plenty of people want to know when the Mojo software development kit for webOS will be released, so they can get more apps for the smart phone. Now they have an answer -- sort of.

On Friday, Palm updated its Developer Network Blog to let users know that, while eager to open up the SDK to a wider audience, the software and developer services simply aren't ready to support this yet. The company's goal is to release the SDK by the end of summer.

In the short term, Palm said it will expand its early-access programme immediately.

Apple issued a warning earlier this week that it doesn't support iTunes synchronisation with "non-Apple digital media players" and that future versions of the software may put an end to any such capability. The announcement was dripping with so much passive aggression it was obvious it was directed at the Palm Pre, which shows up as an iPod when connected to iTunes and allows you to sync non-DRM media to the smart phone.

Palm isn't taking it lying down and has responded to Apple's threats.

After watching other photo hosts create simple tools for Twitter users to post pictures, Flickr has finally wised up and pushed out its own solution. By divining the popular photo service with access to your Twitter stream, you can now post individual shots direct from Flickr, complete with a fancy Flic.kr shortened URL.

Microsoft plans to remove Internet Explorer from the versions of Windows 7 that it ships in Europe, CNET UK's sister site CNET News has learned.

Reacting to antitrust concerns expressed by European regulators, Microsoft plans to offer a version in Europe that has the browser removed. Computer makers would then have the option to add the browser back in, ship another browser or ship multiple browsers, according to a confidential memo that was sent to PC makers and seen by CNET News.

"To ensure that Microsoft is in compliance with European law, Microsoft will be releasing a separate version of Windows 7 for distribution in Europe that will not include Windows Internet Explorer," the software maker said in the memo. "Microsoft will offer IE 8 separately and free of charge and will make it easy and convenient for PC manufacturers to preinstall IE 8 on Windows 7 machines in Europe if they so choose. PC manufacturers may choose to install an alternative browser instead of IE 8, and has always been the case, they may install multiple browsers if they wish."