The Good: The Senate has apparently agreed to extend the current "no new Internet taxes" for another 5 years. The Bad: The deal will open the door for increased collection of existing sales taxes on Internet purchases. There is a concession to state and local governments, giving them 5 years to simplify their collection methods. Then, if approved by Congress, sales tax would be collected by the selling company and remitted to the states (those having a sales tax) for almost all Internet sales and catalog purchases made over the Internet. (Currently, Internet sales work like phone orders - companies collect state sales tax only if they have a physical presence in a state having sales tax, and the Supreme Court has ruled that companies cannot be forced to collect state sales tax if they do not have a physical presence in the state.)

In color, no less! Casio (www.casio.com) will have a new watch available in September that uses a 25,344-pixel color CMOS sensor to capture up to 80 full digital images that can be transferred to a computer or emailed via the web. There is also a built-in 16-grayscale monochrome LCD panel that acts as both the viewfinder and an on-the-spot playback monitor. For details, visit their press room at http://www.casio.com/corporate/pressroom.cfm?act=2&pr=4974.

Juno, long known for its free e-mail (and later Internet access) services, and NetZero (a primary provider of free Internet accounts) have agreed to a strategic merger, resulting in the 5th largest web access firm, and the second largest (to AOL) Internet access provider with about 7 million subscribers (but that counts the almost 6 million non-paying subscribers). The new company name is United Online Inc. Current plans are for NetZero to be the free service and Juno to be the for-fee service.

Apparently, millions would and did on CyberRebate.com, which offered up to 100% refunds on purchases, even though the same products were generally available for less (and in many cases, significantly less) elsewhere, including retail brick-and-mortar shops. CyberRebate has filed for bankruptcy, leaving thousands without their planned rebates. Due to the nature of CyberRebate’s operation, customers are not necessarily covered by the credit card companies’ usual purchase protection features. Credit card companies recommend that anyone affected by CyberRebate’s bankruptcy contact their card company and comply with dispute-filing regulations ASAP. Caveat Emptor strikes again!

Apple Computer is voluntarily recalling certain AC adapters that were sold for use with PowerBook G3 systems shipped from May 1998 until March 2000. Apple has initiated an exchange program and will provide a new replacement AC adapter, free of charge. The affected AC adapters could overheat, posing a fire hazard. So far, no injuries have been reported. To check if your adapter is included in the recall, visit http://exchange.info.apple.com/exchange/. While you wait for your replacement adapter, do not leave your current AC adapter unattended while plugged into any power outlet, so says Apple.

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