This Day in Tech: Hurricane to test cell networks, Apple's Cook gets big bonus

Too busy to keep up with the tech news? Here are some of the more interesting stories from CNET for Friday, August 26.

• As Hurricane Irene approaches and East Coast residents are on lock down, CNET offers up some of the best ways to track the storm online and even through smartphone apps.

• Apple has ditched the 99-cent video rental plan, which was offered through Apple TV and iTunes. Why? CNET's Greg Sandoval said, "The Hollywood studios and TV networks don't want another Netflix. Look around. They're trying to stuff that genie back into the bottle."

• As an entrepreneur, should you be into green tech? CNET's Martin LaMonica wrote, "Welcome to green tech 2.0. In the first wave, venture capitalists threw billions of dollars at technologies with potential to disrupt the energy industry and stall climate change. Now, entrepreneurs need to be far more savvy about raising money and smarter about how to build a business. In short, people who want to do good by the planet and do well financially need a new playbook."

• Apple's new CEO Tim Cook will get a bonus for his new high profile gig. Cook received 1 million shares of company stock, which is worth $383 million based on today's closing price. Last year, Cook's salary was $800,000 plus a $5 million bonus and $52 million worth of company stock, according to AllThingsD.

• IBM has built the biggest data drive ever, a 120 petabyte drive.

• For all you bikers out there, check out this self-inflating bike tire.

• Verizon Wireless is the most reliable carrier, according to J.D. Power.

• An iPod and Android cancer device offers low-cost testing for cancer. CNET blogger Elizabeth Armstrong Moore wrote: "It doesn't just analyze changes in certain microRNAs (single-strand molecules that regulate genes) to detect cancer. Gene-Z is also being designed to detect routine and drug-resistant tuberculosis; determine HIV levels during treatment; and monitor antibiotic resistance."

• Baby boomers are getting social. 65 percent of adults use social networks like MySpace, Facebook or LinkedIn, according to a Pew Internet survey.