Tech 2.0 for Tuesday, January 22, 2013

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Contributor: Matt Davenport

Email: mdavenport@kpvi.com

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Published: 1/22 11:59 am

Updated: 1/22 12:07 pm

Cuba may be pulling into the fast line on information superhighway. A report says Cuba appears to have finally switched on an undersea fiber-optic cable nearly two years after its arrival. Internet analysis firm Renesys says Cuba seems to have begun using the ALBA-1 cable on January 14. Until now the island's Internet service has been through satellite links, which are slower than hard-wired fiber-optic connections. The report says routing data showed significantly faster traffic to the country starting a week ago. But it concludes that the cable is being used only for incoming traffic, with outgoing data traveling via satellite. Cuban officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

Blockbuster plans to close more stores. Dish Network says it will close some 300 stores across the U.S. targeted stores are either underperforming or near the end of their lease. The exact location of the stores has not been revealed. Dish Network bought then bankrupt video rental chain in March 2011.

Old Dominion University senior Rahat Hossain has one of the first viral hits of 2013. He is YouTube's invisible driver. He's created a costume that looks like a car seat. He's actually behind the wheel, but it doesn't look that way. Hossain records the reaction of startled workers, as he pulls up to the drive-through windows of fast food restaurants.

Now that professional hockey is back -- fans might want to do some catching-up. The abbreviated National Hockey League season opened Saturday after a lockout wiped out the first three months. The NHL's official website has a host of features, including schedules, scores and player profiles. You'll also find links to all the teams.