These are early days, but a new e-commerce model may emerge as Microsoft launches its Cash Back program. Those who use Microsoft's Live Search to find retailers and shop with them will find a portion --- pretty small, but a portion --- of their spend in turn tucked away in a PayPal account. Once the account reaches five dollars, it's possible to redeem.
All along many have speculated that some sort of micropayment program would be the catalyst for e-commerce. Amazon and others already have associates programs to encourage sites to direct traffic and business their way, but outgoing CEO Bill Gates is suggesting Microsoft's effort may help shape a new model for both advertising and shopping. Clearly this program can more accurately track the relationship between user attention and user consumption and charge advertisers more precisely on the basis of what's purchased and not just what's viewed.
In any event, it's a plan that occupies attention as Microsoft figures out what to do --- or not --- with Yahoo! Incoming Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has indicated there's no longer interest in buying Yahoo!, but won't discuss possible deals for parts of the company.

In my little neck of the woods, everyone is fretting over the future of the newspaper. But the data indicates the biggest impact of the Internet is on the time spent with the television screen. Print reading is stable, radio listening is a little off, but TV viewing is down significantly as Internet use increases.
Into this discussion in recent days went Bill Gates, who needs no introduction. He's predicting the future of TV will be the Internet --- that the over-the-air, cable- and satellite-delivered channels will be more readily provided online (or via its derivatives). His presentation to the Northern Virginia Technology Council was partly a pat on the back to Microsoft, but also insightful on the emerging technologies and their likely interactive qualities --- tablets, surfaces, and so on to make our lives easier. He's also being tough on the U.S. government, noting that some the best and brightest propelling technology can't get work permits and have to go elsewhere.