Today is an extra special Double Cash Back Tuesday- we may as well call it Quadruple Cash Back Tuesday, since we're doubling the Cash Back at two stores!

For you fashionistas out there, you'll be happy to know today's merchants are... Gap and eLuxury.com!

Today, get 10% Cash Back at Gap! Not only does Gap have great fall clothing, they have (Product) Red. If you haven't had a chance to shop Red, now's the time. You can even choose to have your Ebates Cash Back sent to the charity of your choice!

Now here's some news for the hardcore handbag lovers: Louis Vuitton prices are rumored to be on the increase tomorrow! Over at The Purse Forum, readers have been scurrying to buy their LV bags on Ebates to get Double Cash Back. If you like luxury bags, you know how hard it can be to get a discount on popular styles until they're out of season. Take advantage of today's 8% Cash Back offer!

You have won $500 to Armani Exchange! An Ebates user named Distar submitted the winning entry to our Ebates' Best Dressed Celeb Couple Contest!

She selected 'Brangelina' as the most well turned out celebs! Here is her winning entry:

Events in the last few years have proved that globalization and our interconnectedness as world citizens is undisputable. In this time of great upheaval, and undeniable internationalism, I see one couple that espouses this: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. As a couple, they dress elegantly, with wonderful panache, but are never disrespectful of their surroundings. I admire how Angelina blends in where ever she is- who can forget the image of her helping victims of the earthquake in Pakistan with a headscarf. The duo often are seen looking fashionable in monochromatic Black, busy leading their lives as parents and humanitarians. I find it admirable how Jolie and Pitt seemingly live by Gandhi's message : "My life is my message". These two have embraced their values and it is reflected in all the choices they make from the family they've created, their philanthropy, to the clothes they wear. Fashion believe is about so much more than the clothes we wear, and encompasses the dignity with which we lead our lives, the choices we make and the way in which we give back. It is for this reason I feel Angelina and Brad are the best dressed couple.

Happy Shopping, Distar!

Want to earn Cash Back at stores like Armani Exchange? Click Here to join Ebates!

Nordstrom.com is doing free shipping on all regular price shoes until October 30th! Don't stress about the regular price part- you get 3% Cash Back from Ebates!

Sounds like a good time to splurge on some kicky new flats for fall...

Want to earn Cash Back at Nordstrom.com? Click Here to join Ebates!

What better topic for a Friday than (*drumroll please*) fashion! The final addition to The Daily Cash Back's themed days will be Fashion Friday!

You've seen  Gap's skinny black pant commercials with Audrey Hepburn, right? Since I'm strange and don't watch network TV (thank you, Netflix!), I'm not sure how frequently this commercial comes on, but my guess would be a whole flippin' lot. I'm not going to post it here, since you've probably seen it!

What do you think of it? I'm sure it's easy to get sick of a commercial that plays more frequently than Jared Leto in a jar of greasepaint (did anyone get that reference? Anyone? Bueller?). I can't help but think it's a great commercial. I mean, who would be a better pick than Audrey Hepburn?

Actually, one person.

Andy Dick.

This parody aired earlier this month on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Soon after, Jay Leno did his own:

I actually think the skinny black pants are cute. I mean, they're dressy enough for work but can carry over to the weekend easily!

This commercial has really created a buzz for Gap. The makers of the original had to be in on these, right? This would be too hard to produce from scratch! However they did it, I think this whole ad campaign is brilliant. Who do you think does the skinny black pant best? Audrey, Andy or Jay?

Keep an eye out, because next week, you may get to "express yourself" at Gap for a little more Cash Back!

Want to earn Cash Back at Gap? Click Here to join Ebates!

Note:  A new experiment for The Daily Cash Back will be "Tech Thursday". Every Thursday, we'll be talking gadgets, gizmos, and the like. Today, Ebates staffer Hector reviews the SlingBox.

TV junkie? Can't get enough of your cherished shows? There's nothing worse than being away from your TV when you know your favorite show is on.

Hold on to your seats; you're about to meet your new BFF!

The SlingBox is made by a company in San Mateo, California called Sling Media. You can access and control your TV from any PC or Mac with a broadband connection. Imagine watching new episodes of CSI while sitting in the airport waiting for your flight! You change channels, catch up on Tivo'd faves, and fast forward through commercials (my favorite). If you forget to schedule a recording, you can use the SlingBox to access your Tivo (or any DVR device) so you won't miss anything while you're out! It's a breeze to set up and there's no monthly charge.

There are three options available:

*SlingBox Tuner: If you don't have a cable box, satellite dish or a DVR, this is the one for you.

*SlingBox AV: If you watch TV with any of the three systems listed above, then your pick should be the AV.

*SlingBox Pro: For the TV aficionados. It allows you to watch high definition shows via your PC and you can control up to three of your video systems.

All three  come with something called "SlingStream" technology. Have you ever watched a  video on your computer with a poor internet connection? You keep staring at the "Buffering...please wait" at the bottom of the video screen and eventually give up. SlingStream adjusts the video quality depending on the strength of your broadband connection. I won't get into all the technical specifics but essentially, with SlingStream, you'll never see that annoying message again. If you want to know more, click here to read what the experts at Sling Media say about SlingStream.

So what's the cost? You can find any of three systems in your local electronics stores or almost any online retailer. I found some great deals at CircuitCity.com.

• SllingBox Tuner - $134.99 (Save $45)
 
• SlingBox AV - $161.99 (Save $18)
 
• SlingBox Pro - $224.99 (Save $25)

Plus, you get free shipping and 2% Cash Back from Ebates!

If you have one, we'd love to hear what you have to say.

Want to earn Cash Back on a SlingBox? Click Here to join Ebates!

Today is the launch of the Ebates Pre-Holiday Because We Can't Wait for the Holidays Promotion! If reading that name didn't exhaust you, then please continue.

You'll see the product I reviewed, Augusten Burrough's Running With Scissors. I read this about a year ago and loved it! Since then, I've read all of his books: Sellevision, Dry, Magical Thinking, and Possible Side Effects. Rarely does an author make me actually LOL when I'm on the subway, but Augusten does it every time. The movie is out this season, so you'll probably have friends and family wanting to buy the book!

The point of this promotion was to display the hottest products for the holiday season. There's an endless array of gadgets that could have made the list! We narrowed it down to what we thought were the coolest. What do you think are the hottest gifts for this season?

Today you get Double Cash Back at Barnes and Noble! That's 6%. Plus you get free shipping on orders of $25 or more!  I know gadgets are the cool thing these days, but what ever happened to just curling up with a good book?

To get to the promotion, just go to the homepage and click on the banner that looks like this:

Every day we'll feature extra Cash Back at a select merchant. This lasts for twelve days, so come back often!

Please take a moment to review the following questions.

1. Is today's date October 24th or later?

2. Have your friends been scurrying around for the past few weeks, piecing together entertaining,  unique Halloween costumes while you've been catching up on Tivo'd episodes of Project Runway?

3. Have your friends been scurrying around for the past few weeks, piecing together entertaining,  unique Halloween costumes for their kids while you've been catching up on laundry?
4. Are you, or have you ever considered, throwing a Halloween party*?

5. Do you strongly agree that fun is more enjoyable than not fun?

If you have answered "YES" to  one or more of the above questions, you may be a candidate for  Double Cash Back at Oriental Trading Company. Contact your primary Cash Back provider today and get 8% Cash Back. To ensure maximum savings, use coupon code RT1XY06 at checkout and get Free Shipping. 

There is simply nothing better than increased Cash Back, especially when you can combine it with other deals or coupons. Beauty.com just went from 6% Cash Back to 9% Cash Back!

Chances are, you landed here via a Google search for discount something-or-others, and have no clue what Cash Back is! It's simple. You join Ebates, click on the links to your favorite stores (we have good stores, too! Nordstrom.com, Target- not weird no-name stores you haven't heard of) and just shop like you normally would. We get a commission when you shop, and hand it over to you.

Anyway, back to Beauty.com. Not only have they increased their Cash Back, but there are two awesome promotions running until November 5th. You can get Free Shipping on nearly everything in the store PLUS $10 off a purchase of $100 or more. Combine this with 9% Cash Back at Ebates and you've got a great deal.

If you don't usually spend $100 at a time on beauty products, maybe this would be a good time to get a head start on your holiday gift shopping!

What I love about Beauty.com is their easy navigation. Not only can you shop by brand or price, but they have tons of customer reviews so you know what you're getting into! Never again will you throw down $30 for lemon-sage-grapeseed body scrub that smells remniscent of that 'fresh scent' gelatin air freshener your grandma used to keep in the powder room.

Want to earn Cash Back at Beauty.com? Click Here to join Ebates!

Unless you work in Customer Care at Ebates, it's likely that you won't get to talk to Ebates users very often. Blogs are great because we can read what people are saying about their experiences earning Cash Back and saving money! There's nothing better than coming across the glowing review of a really satisfied Ebates user.

Lauren of HealthyParenting.net recently explained how easy it is to quickly save a lot of money on everyday purchases:

  ...The discount amount [at Ebates] ranges greatly and most stores sit at about 4-6% but if you think about it, earning 6% back just for shopping.........its FREE money. There are also over 800 stores to choose from by searching keywords or browsing by category.    

As an example, I just ordered a very narrow wood console table for our hallway from Bellacor costing about $200 and $12 was credited to my Ebates account.  This particular store offers a 6% rebate.

Amy, founder of MomAdvice.com, recently posted about "Saving More on Your Christmas Shopping ", referencing the recent post,  Top Three Cash Saving Tricks for Ebates:
 

I absolutely love Ebates and it has greatly simplified my holiday shopping. I can go to their website and click under their Special Offers link. The offers are listed alphabetically so I can see quickly at a glance if Children's Place is running a sale this week or not. Scroll down or click through under the letter of the place you are looking for. You can also sort these offers by type. Say that you don't want to pay shipping or you are looking for money off coupons, and the offers will be sorted this way. Categories are available too!

I frequently search just under a keyword search. If I am looking for a new coffee machine, I can search under that. I then sort this by price lowest to highest (you are shopping with me, remember?) and then I can see quickly who has the best deals and how much I would get back with the cash back rewards. It even calculates the exact amount you would get back, down to the penny, so you can see quickly how much you could potentially put into your check.

Another huge way to save on your Christmas shopping is to shop early! In fact, next week on Ebates, we'll be launching a twelve day promotion in which we'll be featuring the hottest products of the 2006 holiday season, hand picked by the Ebates staff. We'll even be offering increased Cash Back at some of those stores. Shopping early means you can preorder high demand items, and more importantly, beat the crowds. You'll save cash and your sanity.

Want to earn Cash Back like these bloggers have? Click Here to join Ebates!

Here at Ebates, we have a weakness for Cute. If it involves our pets, you'll hear a resounding "awww!" ringing through the cubicles.

If it involves our pets in costume, well, you can be sure we've wasted nearly all the storage space on an iPod with pictures of Rovers's tail poking out of his bee suit.

Pet costumes, of course, are not loved by all. A couple years ago, I bought a tiny lavender sweater emblazoned with "Princess" (in silver glitter, of course) and put it on my gray tabby. She promptly fell over and refused to speak to me for an hour- and that wasn't even a whole costume! I do realize that putting a sweater on a cat isn't the best decision- it restricts their movement and gives them anxiety.

All this considered, I can't help but love some of the Halloween dog costumes I've seen on Ebates, such as...

Floppy green ears! Tiny arms and legs! How can you not love this Yoda costume?  I suppose the better question is, can your dog love this Yoda costume? To me, it doesn't look too restrictive, but I'm sure others may not agree.

What do you think of people dressing up their pets for Halloween? Is it cute or cruel?

Want to earn Cash Back on items like this Yoda costume? Click Here to join Ebates!

Every Tuesday, I'll be featuring Ebates' Double Cash Back merchant. All you have to do is shop from the featured merchant before midnight, and you get twice as much Cash Back as you normally would.

Today we're giving 12% Cash Back at eBags.com! From Michael Kors to mountain climbing, eBags has something for everyone. They've also got some great promotions right now, including:

• eBags Free Shipping 10% off and free shipping on orders over $25.
   

• eBags Coupons Save $20 on any Handbag purchase of $75.

• eBags Sales 25% off eBags Private Label products!

• eBags Coupons $10 off $45 Backpack orders.

• eBags Coupons Save 20% off Diaper Bags.

One item in particular that I recommend are the packing cubes, which they carry in several different brands. I own a similar product by Eagle Creek, and I will not travel without them! They are essential for keeping your clothes organized, especially if you're traveling for more than a few days. You can also fit more clothes in your suitcase than you ordinarily would. These will be really handy for holiday travel!

Also check out their Deal of the Week: the Samosonite 2 piece boarding set. At $99.99 with 12% Cash Back, it's a steal!

Want to earn Double Cash Back at eBags? Click Here to join Ebates!

Last week, three Ebates merchants finally took the plunge and are now offering Cash Back:  Blair.com at 6%, Newegg with 1% and Enterprise Rent-A-Car with 2%.

You may be wondering, "What good is 6% Cash Back, let alone 1%?"

Let me tell you, Cash Back really adds up fast. Ebates keeps track of your Cash and displays your lifetime earnings right at the top of the page. It's a cool feature because it's often hard to keep sight of just how valuable Cash Back can be when you're earning a little at a time.

If you buy something pricey like, say, a new computer from Newegg or a piece of jewelry from Blair, you could easily rack up a lot of Cash. A $1000 computer at 1% Cash Back gets you $10!

One awesome deal is the 50% off weekend car rentals promotion at Enterprise. Be sure to start at Ebates to earn Cash Back!

Want to earn Cash Back at these stores? Click Here to join Ebates!

Today is the U.S. launch of (Product) Red, an initiative founded by U2's Bono and Bobby Shriver to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. Several merchants, including Gap, Converse and Apple are introducing new Red products, some of the profits from which will be donated to The Global Fund to fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

These three merchants are on Ebates, so you can get Cash Back! If you want to maximize your charitable contribution, you can visit your Account Profile and have your Cash Back sent to a charity of your choice.

The Global Fund has achieved some incredible goals. By June of 2006, Global Fund financing provided:

• ·  544,000 people with treatment for HIV and AIDS   
• ·  5.7 million people with voluntary HIV testing     
• ·  1.43 million people with treatment for tuberculosis     
• ·  7.3 million people treated for malaria  
• ·  11.3 million families with insecticide treated  mosquito nets  

To learn more about (Product) Red, check out this video of Bono on CNN:

Want to earn Cash Back and help support (Product) Red? Click Here to join Ebates!

What's more overwhelming than having a new baby? Try walking into a baby store and trying to decide which products you'll need to keep your baby happy (and you, sane). As a new mom, you don’t need all the bells and whistles… just the necessities. So don’t bother with the Baby Keeper (no matter how tempting it may be at times) and leave the Zaky Infant Pillow at the store because, frankly, it’s just plain odd. Stick with the basics and you’ll get through the first few months with some of your sanity left.

 A Crib – Whether its brand new or a hand-me-down, make sure it adheres to current safety standards.

Waterproof Mattress Pads – Your baby is bound to have a leaky diaper or two (or twelve) so make sure your mattress is protected! Have a couple pads handy for quick changes in the middle of the night.

Well-fitting Crib Sheets – Use sheets made specifically for cribs and make sure they fit tightly and securely around the mattress. Buy a few sheets in case you need to switch them out in a hurry.

Changing Pad with safety strap – No need to spend hundreds of dollars on a changing table, use a changing pad and the top of a dresser to create your own!       

Diaper Pail – Try a simple version that lets you use your own plastic bags. You won’t have to buy refills and you can put recycled plastic grocery bags to good use.

Plastic Bathtub – If you have a large kitchen sink, look for a tub that fits inside. It sounds odd, but your back will thank you later.

Stroller Travel System – Save money on the stroller, car seat and car seat base by purchasing them as a set. Just attach the car seat to the stroller and you’ll never have to wake the sleeping baby.

Diaper Bag – Bring a change of baby clothes, bibs, diapers, wipes, a changing pad and an extra shirt for you, because you know, spit happens.

Boppy Pillow – Use it to support your baby while breastfeeding, to hold up the baby during tummy time or to rest your sleepy head when you get a chance to nap!       

Layette – As tempting as it is to buy the cutest dresses and track suits, stick with the basics for the first few months. Look for one-piece outfits, footed pajamas, cotton shirts, socks, booties, caps, bibs and mittens that are easy to get on and off.

Receiving Blankets – For swaddling and for keeping your baby warm.

Want to earn Cash Back on Baby Supplies? Click Here to join Ebates!

If you've shopped on Ebates before, you know how easy it is to click on one of your favorite stores and get Cash Back. Simple enough, right?

What you may not know is that there are a few simple tricks that can help you save even more:

1. Deal Layering: Layer the deals by combining Ebates' coupons with Cash Back. When you've decided on a store from which to buy, simply click on the link next to the store name that looks like this:  . You'll find all of the coupons available for that merchant, including some that are exclusive to Ebates members. Use the coupon codes at checkout and get Cash Back at the same time!

2. Double Cash Back Tuesdays: Come to Ebates every Tuesday and see which merchant is doubling the Cash Back! Just  a few weeks ago, Fossil doubled their Cash Back to 16%. Think about it: You buy a $100 watch, and get $16 back when normally you'd get $8. You never know when your favorite store might be doubling their Cash Back, so make sure you check Ebates every Tuesday!

3. Ebates Reminder Tool: We often have users who bought something from a merchant but forgot to start at Ebates! To make sure you always get Cash Back when you shop online, get the Ebates Reminder Tool. It's free and easy to install. If you change your mind, you can easily remove it.

Want to start earning Cash Back and using exclusive coupons at your favorite online stores? Click Here to join Ebates!

True, it's been years since I've carved a pumpkin, but when did pumpkin carving kits become so sophisticated? Isn't there a kind of stoic elegance in the 'three triangles and a mouth' model I specialized in as a child?

If you've been looking to add an air of royalty to your jack-o-lantern's visage, check out the Disney Princess Carving Kit. The lowest price can be found at eToys.com and KBToys.com, who both sell it for $10.99 with 3% Cash Back at Ebates. There's also a Pirates of the Caribbean  Carving Kit. Come on, who wouldn't want Johnny Depp's face glowing on their front porch during the chilly autumn nights? Anyone?

For advanced pumpkin carvers, the Dremel Pumpkin Carving Kit is available at Hechinger.com or Home Depot for $19.99. If, to you, 3-D pumpkin carving is akin to sculpting the next Sphinx, try the basic carving kit from Spirit. At $5.99 with 7% Cash Back from Ebates, you really can't go wrong.

Finally, because I find this hilarious, here is a pattern from which you can carve a jack-o-lantern resembling Bob Marley:

Looks like you've got some decisions to make before October 31st. Princess Jasmine? Three triangles and a mouth? A three dimensional representation of the Mona Lisa?

Thanks to fabulousfoods.com for the Bob Marley image!

Want to get Cash Back when you buy pumpking carving supplies? Join Ebates now!

We've noticed.

Lots of people find us on Google while looking for an Anthropologie Coupon Code, Anthropologie Promo Code, Anthropologie 90% off Coupons, et cetera.

As a fellow Anthropologie addict, I understand the desperation one feels when they've unearthed the perfect wrap sweater or most flattering jeans...but when they cost $300? For many, a coupon code is the only way to seal the deal.

I called Anthropologie's Customer Service line. I was told that the only way to get promo codes is to be subscribed to their newsletter. As a subscriber, I can honestly say I can't remember the last time I was given an exclusive offer or code.

It's a classic scenario: Luxury taste on a bargain bin budget. What's a gal to do? Well, at the very least,  I would want to shop through Ebates and get Cash Back on my Anthropologie purchases. Problem is, Anthro does not have an affiliate marketing program. 

What's the alternative? Buy Anthropologie clothing somewhere else! A while back, I posted about Ebates merchants who carry the same merchandise at a lower cost. The secret is to join Ebates first, then shop at these stores. You get Cash Back this way. Here's the part about Anthropologie:

"Try Urban Outfitters, Bluefly, CoutureCandy or SmartBargains. The secret here is that the bread and butter of the  Anthropologie collection primarily consists of three brands (among a  few others): Free People, Rebecca Beeson and Ella Moss. Free People is Anthropologie's wholesale line that you can find easily at Urban Outfitters and SmartBargains. Rebecca and Ella can be found at CoutureCandy and BlueFly. You'll likely find several pieces that are being sold at Anthopologie or that have the 'Anthro' look."

While it's not the same as a coupon code, you can still get your luxe fix without emptying your pocketbook.

Want to get Cash Back from merchants similar to Anthropologie? Click Here to join Ebates!

What's more fun than gossiping about celebrities?

Why, winning a $500 gift card while you do it...in the Ebates' Best Dressed Celeb Couple Contest: Hosted by Armani Exchange! 

We want you to pick the most stylish celebrity couple and write a smart, savvy review on their fashion sense. Tell us why they deserve to be named Ebates' Best Dressed Celeb Couple! Is it Britney and Kevin's penchant for shorts? Reese and Ryan's love of vintage couture?

Keep your words sharp and succinct: 200 words or less! Give us compelling content and we'll pick the finalists. After we narrow it down to the best and brightest, Ebates users will vote on whose fashion critique rings truest!

Simply leave a comment on this entry with your fashion critique, and you're in the contest! (Be sure to check out the Terms and Conditions first!). Click here to enter.

The deadline to submit your entry is October 19th, 2006!

Back to that $500 gift card from Armani Exchange...think about it! You can buy a hot new fall wardrobe and use your clothes money for more pressing matters: paying your cell phone bill, maybe preordering a Zune (if you feel so inclined)!

Seriously, though, Armani Exchange has some hot looks this season. Grab some skinny jeans, a leather clutch,  a gorgeous wool coat and you're good to go. If you do win the contest, and feel like being philanthropic with your winnings, just remember that your favorite blogger would fit that coat smashingly in a size six. Hey, it gets cold in San Francisco.

Have you seen today's Wired article on the new Microsoft Zune mp3 player? The buzz is that it's going to be bigger than the iPod. 

I know I've said it before, but I love Macs. I find it hard to believe that this new machine could ever overtake the iPod. The press has been citing its impressive specs left and right, so who knows; I could be wrong! The Zune will be released near the holiday season, so if you want to tread in experimental, non-iPod territory,  you may want to preorder one to avoid the Microsoft-loving masses. You can do so through several merchants on Ebates, including Target.

The one thing about the Zune that baffles me more than anything is the (optional) brown casing. Why would you choose this color?

Behold the resemblance a brown Zune has to a 1939 Hallicrafters Communications Receiver and a 1948 National Model TV-7W television.  Is the brown casing some sort of postmodern statement that I'm just not getting? Were these technological marvels ahead of their time? Am I just hopelessly un-hip?

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and tons of Ebates merchants are getting involved by selling limited edition 'pink ribbon' merchandise.

The following are my top ten buys to support the cause:

10. Stila BCA lip gloss trio: I love Stila! Even if the proceeds weren't going to breast cancer research, I'd still buy this luscious lip gloss set. 

9. Breast Cancer Awareness Umbrella: Simple, cute, and makes a statement.

8. Think Pink Pillow for Breast Cancer: This pillow looks so soft and comfortable.

7. New Balance Women's 587: If you want to show your support without being too..er...pink about it, these New Balance 587's are the way to go.

6.. iPod Case for Breast Cancer Awareness: I wonder why they made this iPod case blue? In any case, proceeds go to the cause. Plus, iPods are so fragile you'd better keep yours protected!

5. Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Pink Water Bottle: The first step to staying healthy is to stay hydrated. Do it in style with this rosy water bottle.

4. KitchenAid Artisan Mixer : Possibly the most beautiful kitchen appliance ever invented. KitchenAid will donate a whopping $50 to breast cancer research when you purchase this work of art! EDIT: upon request, here is a less-expensive alternative to my original link.
 
3. Forge Athena Bike: Gasp! Can it be?! A pink bike that's not a beach cruiser? For only $199, this pink bike is a steal!

2. Breast Cancer Awareness Pin: The classic 'pink' statement. I like the sleek, modern design of this one.

1. Liv Breast Self-Exam Kit: Be proactive. The most important role you can play in the cause is to be aware of your own health. 

We had so many great submissions to our Summer Vacation Photo Contest! Thank you to everyone who voted.

Come check out the winners! They won $700, $500, $400 and $300 travel prizes for Expedia!

Enjoy your prizes and know that your families are cute, your photography is awesome...

and you have the envy of every Ebates staffer involved in this contest.

By now, you've surely heard about the Sony battery recalls from Apple, IBM / Lenovo, and Panasonic.To heat things up even more (pun regrettably intended), Toshiba and Fujitsu just added some laptop models to the list, and Dell expanded their recall over the weekend, bringing the number of recalled batteries up to 7.7 million!

HP, however, has claimed the recall to be "a Dell issue" and is not planning to recall any laptop models.

According to USA Today, "The company believes it is safe because it reviewed and rejected Sony battery parts for nearly a year before buying any, spokesman Mike Hockey says. Although HP can't say for sure, since it doesn't have all the information from Sony, it believes the problematic batteries were among those that did not meet its quality standards, Hockey says. About 1 million to 2 million HP laptops currently have the Sony battery parts. No overheating problems have been reported, he says."

Imagine using your laptop on your lap and having this happen? Or on an airplane? According to the video below, the FAA has stated that "fire supression systems on planes are capable of putting out laptop fires". I suppose this is some comfort, but I don't want to sit near the wing of a plane wedged between a screaming baby and someone's potentially explosive Powerpoint presentation.   

Here is the ABC World News Report on the dangers of lithium-ion batteries: