Geekly Update November 17

The AskBobRankin Geekly Update

Last week a "prank" worm was sent out by unemployed Australian programmer Ashley Towns dubbed ikee that installed an image of Rick Astley as wallpaper. Hey Ashley, "You know the rules, and so do I..."

Walmart has decided to have weekly specials to bring in the bucks. Next week, if you purchase a BlackBerry at their "every day low price" with a 2 year contract, you will get a $100 gift certificate. But unfortunately, you have to use it to buy stuff at WalMart.

Zune HD has released a v4.3 firmware update that supports 3D games and apps. To celebrate the event, they have released six free games including Checkers, Lucky Lane Bowling and PGR: Ferrari Edition. We're still waiting for Monkey Island Retro Edition.

Retailers are jumping on the Black Friday bandwagon a bit early this year. Both Walmart and Amazon are offering DVDs for under $10.00 as an incentive to early shoppers.

While GPS devices have so far been limited to 5-inch screens, Magellan’s new RoadMate 1700 offers a 7-inch display. The $299 device features standard navigation, AAA Tourbook information, lane assistance and their OneTouch interface. Sadly lacking from the big-screen interface, though, is the ability to display the menu of the closest Chinese takeout place.

Sprint has launched 4G mobile broadband in Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth and parts of North Carolina. Clearwire’s WiMAX is said to be 10 times faster than 3G.

Attention Target Shoppers... RadioShack has a bullseye on your back. The Shack is attempting to boost cell phone sales by installing kiosks in selected Targets, according to Dow Jones Online. Wearing black shirts instead of the red ones forced on Target employees, look for "Bullseye Mobile Solutions" in 100 stores, expanding to 1700 next year.

Control Your Info hijacked 289 open groups in Facebook and made themselves administrators. They are trying to draw attention to the fact that the social networking site has a problem when handling group administration. Maybe they'll be checking for unlocked doors in your neighborhood soon...

Google is buying the AdMob network for $750 million in stock. The company places ads for Ford, Coca-Cola and others in mobile browsers and smartphone apps.

Intego Security warns that a new iPhone worm dubbed "iPhone/Privacy.A" installs software in jailbroken iPhones and iPod Touches, and steals private data such as contacts, email, photos and files.

Ahem... STAR Analytical Services is developing cough-analyzing software, thanks to a Gates Foundation Grant to come up with the software for developing countries. If the user coughs into a cell phone, a doctor can listen and tell if it is a common cold or something more serious. "Yep, sounds like tuberculosis. Press #79 and call me in the morning."