Google plans newspaper micropayments system

Google is working on a micropayments system for the Newspaper Association of America, which asked Google to submit some ideas for how its members could use technology to generate more revenue from their digital content, reports eWeek.

The micropayment system, which is still in the planning stages but could be available on Google and non-Google properties in 2010, would enable payments from pennies to several dollars by aggregating purchases across merchants.

The micropayment system would be built on Google Checkout, the payment system Google rolled out three years ago.

Ebates.com is coupon clipping for the 21st century, a Web site that combines rebates and coupons with the ease and access of the Internet, states the Washington Times.

With only an e-mail address and a password, registered users of Ebates.com are connected to savings at more than 1 200 online stores. Bargains are available on clothing and computers, medicine and travel.

"We're trying to give shoppers what we think is the best deal possible for shopping online," says Kevin Johnson, CEO of Ebates. Business is booming. He adds: "Frugality is the new chic."

USAA, a provider of financial services to current and former members of the US Armed Forces and their families, has unveiled an online loyalty programme called USAA MemberShop, says DMNews.

The programme, created with loyalty shopping solutions provider Mall Networks, enables consumers to earn between 1% and 20% of their cash back or points on each dollar spent online with nearly 500 brand-name merchants. Those merchants include Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Home Depot, JCPenney, Overstock.com and Staples.

MemberShop is available to all of USAA's 7.2 million members by logging in at www.usaa.com/membershop. MemberShop users can browse and search for more than 15 million items by retailer name, type of item or model number at the site.