Find your voice on Google

This is what the geeks call "technological convergence."

Cell phones initially thrilled everyone with the capability of wireless voice transmission. Fast-forward a decade or so, and all the kids want to do now is send text on their phones. Now Google, wrangler of words posted across the online universe, has launched Google Voice. It enables anyone with a Net connection and a headset to place a phone call in the U.S. and Canada.

The difference: Google Voice is free. For now.

Akaka Bill hopes dwindle

Hawaiian sovereignty may have suffered its first collateral damage from the 2010 elections if the Akaka Bill is delayed in the Senate until next year.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska is regarded as one of the few Republicans who probably would cast her vote for the Akaka Bill, but she has conceded defeat in the GOP primary to Tea Party Express favorite Joe Miller. Sen. Daniel Akaka says he is optimistic a favorable Senate floor vote can be achieved this year, but hopes are dwindling.