Strange New World: Tech Picks of the Week

Oct. 10, 2008— -- This was a strange week in this strange New World of ours, with several curious announcements hitting the Web. Google is trying to help out people with a tendency to "drink and e-mail." Apple is gearing up to launch a whole line of new laptops, but won't give specifics until next week, and Microsoft is paying people to use its search engine. Here now are our picks of the week.

We know this sounds like some sort of ad you would see on late night cable access TV, but this is actually happening. OK, you won't get cash for your searches, but Microsoft is willing to give you swag for your Web searches. Microsoft has announced a new plan called SearchPerks, which will reward people for using the Live Search search engine. For every search a user does on their Live Search network (MSN.com, Live.com, Windows Live Hotmail, as well as Windows Live Messenger), the user will get a ticket. The more tickets you get, the more stuff you can collect from Microsoft. Rewards include an Xbox 360 controller for 5,500 tickets, Xbox 360 games, and more. The promotion runs from Oct. 1 until April 15, 2009, and you get 500 bonus tickets just for signing up for the rewards program. Before you all set up camp on the Internet, be aware that you can only get a max of 25 tickets each day. You can earn additional tickets by playing various games on Microsoft's Live Search Club.

If you were planning on buying a new Apple laptop, stop right now! Apple has just announced that it is having a big event on its campus in Cupertino, Calif., where the company will announce new additions to its notebook line. Apple being Apple, it's playing the event pretty close to the vest and really not giving out many details. The Internet is rife with rumors about what is coming out next week, but the stories getting the most traction are about a supposed $800 Macbook and a laptop built out of a solid piece of aluminum called the Apple "Brick."