Geekly Update - 03 January 2011

The AskBobRankin Geekly Update

Didn't get an iPhone for the holidays? AT&T is offering refurbished 16GB iPhone 4 units with a "cosmetic blemish" for only $79.00. They're also waiving the activation fee and shipping for free.

A satellite for broadband service was successfully launched this week that will bring Internet connections to tens of millions. Launched by eutelsat, the 6 ton satellite took about nine hours to reach its destination via the Russian Proton.

For frequent travelers, Hummba is a travel site and mobile app with free audio travel guides for your GPS enabled smartphone. You can create videos of routes and photo albums and share them with friends, while tracking their routes as well.

Hot on the heels of its recent top carrier award by Consumer Reports, U.S. Cellular announced that its Belief Project, a plan that allows payback points, has over a million customers.

Amazon says that its 3rd generation Kindle is the company's bestselling product in its history, beating out "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." They company also says that over 13 million total products were sold Nov. 29, which equates to 158 items per second.

CKE Restaurants, owners of Carl's Jr. and Hardees, have a new free iPhone/Android app for those who crave their greasy fast food, undoubtedly the shape of techno things to come. The Happy Star Rewards allows users to check in and, after 4 times, spin the Wheel of Awesome and win free food or discounts.

AT&T has made a documentary to convince teens not to text while driving. The 10 minute "It Can Wait" will be sent to schools, safety organizations, govt. organizations and is highly recommended for you and your kids as well.

McAfee has issued 2011 Threat Predictions report that predicts that Google TV, Mac OS X and Android will be targeted next year for viral attacks. They also say that there will be WikiLeaks copycats and strikes on URL shorteners, geolocation services and Apple products. Hmmm, and I'll bet they recommend a nifty McAfee product to protect you from all these horrors.

Skype has finally added two-way video chatting to its VoIP iPhone application. Check the App Store to download the update that includes 3G or WiFi placement, portrait and landscape modes, and audio/video service.

Google search has recently added a "This site may be compromised" warning that can be clicked on to read a Help Center article with more information.