Have your iPhone read any text aloud

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2011/12/make-your-iphone-read-any-text-aloud/#more-411091

"You can also adjust the rate of speech ... the default is already pretty fast."  This is what I found.  Touch the slider (don't move it) to check the current speech rate.

While you're on the Accessibility screen, you might like to try the Zoom function too.

Daily app deals: iPhone, iPad, Android & WP7

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2011/12/daily-app-deals-iphone-ipad-android-wp7-6/

Iran spy drone GPS hijack boasts: "Rubbish", say experts

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/12/21/spy_drone_hijack_gps_spoofing_implausible/

Ex-Google man sells search genius to rest of world

http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2011/12/ex-google-man/

Irish data protection watchdog rules on Facebook

http://m.zdnet.com/blog/igeneration/irish-data-protection-watchdog-rules-on-facebook/13974

Facebook promises changes

http://m.zdnet.com/blog/facebook/facebook-promises-changes-following-irish-privacy-audit/6511

The 10 most popular Chrome, Firefox & Opera extensions

http://www.ghacks.net/2011/12/21/the-10-most-popular-chrome-firefox-and-opera-extensions/

What's 6 miles wide & can end civilization in an instant?

Answer: an asteroid

OK, arguably, meteor or meteorite*.

Informative & funny: How to defend Earth from asteroids. See it at:

http://www.ted.com/talks/phil_plait_how_to_defend_earth_from_asteroids.html

There's an iPad app for this, & other, interesting stuff:

http://itunes.com/apps/tedconferences/ted

* An asteroid (or any other fast moving space object) becomes a meteor (aka falling star) when it enters the Earth's atmosphere.  If it hits the ground, it becomes a meteorite.