Geekly Update March 9

The AskBobRankin Geekly Update

The Pew Research Center set out to determine if using the Internet would make people stupid. And the survey says... Use of the Internet enhances human intelligence, and has improved reading and writing skills. I wonder if they took into account how many kids just SEEM smarter because they're turning in term papers they downloaded.

There is a new computer named the Senior Go that comes with a large letter keyboard, trackball mouse and screen zoom. The Senior Go costs $879 with a $19.95 monthly support fee. The most common support call: "My computer has fallen, and I can't boot it up!"

K.R. Sridhar, developer of Bloom Energy was on 60 Minutes this past Sunday. His power in a box is an inexpensive source of fuel cell technology that he says should be in everyone's back yard in the next ten years.

The US Postal Service is facing mounting deficits, and they're blaming the Internet. They say all that emailing is reducing mail volume, so they are seeking approval from Congress to eliminate Saturday delivery. You'd think that the INCREASED revenues from the explosion of online shopping would offset the loss of first-class stamp revenue. Hmmm...

Although it has been around since 2007, GadgetTrak claims that its tracking software has a 95% success rate now. For $24.95 a year, owners of laptops, cell phones and smartphones can use the transferable license that activates the webcam and sends the data directly to the owner.

It's one thing to go green, quite another to spend $5,500 for the privilege. The Sanwa-Newtec PrePeat Printer uses a thermal head for printing and heat sensitive plastic sheets that can be erased for reuse. Each sheet will set you back $3.30. Talk about red ink...

Google has released a tool to help locate those affected by the Chile disaster. With Person Finder, a user can search for someone by name or leave information in Spanish and English, however the information is public to all and none has been verified by Google.

Netgear has a new generation of HomePlug Powerline Kits. The AV500 kits come with filtered "pass-through" sockets and will offer speeds of up to 500Mbps. Look for them to hit the market in Q3.

Please Rob Me is an interesting site that picks up tweets for those who publicly post their whereabouts. Head over to their site that gives examples of Twitter users who give their exact location at the exact time so that you can head over to their empty house.

Skinput is a new system designed by Carnegie Mellon that allows the skin to be used as a keyboard or menu. The user wears an armband that projects while an acoustic detector identifies what part of display should be activated when the skin is tapped. Testing has proven that the system is simple to navigate and future applications may include transmitting commands to PCs, phones and game systems.

FreeTube is a new service that allows you to watch live Internet TV at no charge without pop-ups, blinding headers and other advertising. Types of programming include news, business reports, sports web cams and movies.

The i-tab is almost a teleprompter for musicians. Clip it on your guitar and the 5" touchscreen displays and scrolls chords and lyrics. With 4GB memory, it can carry thousands of tabs, already available online. The $199.00 device, due out next month, also has built-in speaker, stylus, USB connection, headphone port and video out to hook it up to the TV.

Get ready for that flight to the final frontier. According to USA Today, Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic will begin test flights next year and plans regular service by 2015. Start saving now as it will take $200,000 to nab a reservation.

Textecution is a $39.95 app for Android run phones that automatically disables texting while driving. The well-intentioned app aims to ensure that teens have a safe drive home. But unless this app also sends a strong electric shock to the teen who tries to uninstall it, it's not likely to do much good.