Geekly Update - 25 January 2012

The AskBobRankin Geekly Update

Japanese firm NetLED has introduced a wifi-equipped LED fluorescent tube replacement. The tubes cost $250, and can be controlled over wifi by a computer or smartphone. Options include the ability to control the brightness, or set energy consumption caps that would leave "light abusers" in the dark.

"Finally, a reason for men to hurry off to the bathroom together." Innovation and weirdness continue to flow in co-mingled streams from the Japanese. Sega's new Toylet game consoles can be installed on urinals in bars, allowing players to control games with their urine stream.

"Don't worry, they only got the last four digits of your credit card." Zappos confirmed last week that its servers had been hacked and information from 24 million accounts including user names, email addresses and partial credit card numbers were accessed. In an email sent out to customers, CEO Tony Hsieh advised creating new passwords.

Samsung and Microsoft brought out the latest generation of the Surface at last week's CES show. The 40" SUR40 with PixelSense makes each pixel into an IR sensor, so Surface can "see and respond" to touch and real world objects without a camera. Surface recognizes fingers, hands and other objects placed on the screen.

"It's okay, we're just monetizing our non-strategic intellectual property." Sadly for those of us whose first camera was a Brownie, Eastman Kodak has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, in hopes of re-emerging with a sharper focus on developing profitable business lines.

If you want a $6500 Segway but can't afford one, then you are a prime candidate for the $999.00 Personal Rover The electric transport vehicle, a sort of combination of wagon, skateboard and ski poles, has an 800W motor and can travel up to 15 mph.

"Honey, I washed the iPhone." Rather than purchasing a waterproof device or cover, Liquipel offers a viable alternative. For $60.00, the company will put a nano-coat shield on all of the vital components inside and out of your electronics gadget, to provide protection against accidental contact with liquids.

"Aha!" Boston University conducted a survey to find out Why People Use Facebook. One of the driving factors was the "need for self-presentation" which is fueled by neuroticism and narcissism.

Watch out, Facebook, there is a new social network in Interweb city and it is considered one of the 50 Best Websites by Time Magazine. Pinterest is a "virtual pinboard" that lets users share collections of videos, images and their favorite things.

Similar to Toygaroo, the toy rental site for kids, there is now one for adults. YBUY charges members $24.95 to try out electronics for a month and either send them back or use that money as a down payment.