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Microsoft has hitched up with Bazaarvoice to inject consumer reviews and ratings into its display ads. It's the first of several socialish capabilities the company will offer advertisers in the coming months. Over time, Microsoft's new "people powered stories" will let media buyers incorporate user-generated videos, expert blogs, and even discussion forum content into their display ads. But not yet. When the PPS product launches next month, it'll be strictly a ratings game.

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The remote control must die; but what's next? One company at the apex of that question is Philips, which, unbeknownst to many onlookers, already makes remote controls for an array of TV makers, set-top box vendors and pay-TV operators like BSkyB. Philips now offers its own Wiimote-like gesture stick to screen makers like HP; (NYSE: HPQ) a motion-sensitive, qwerty-equipped uWand; candybars with integrated laptop trackpads and, yes, plain 'ol candybars for internet TV operators who still want them. All of this means the TV input segment is about to embark upon the same kind of innovative period of disruption and competing standards that the TV space is now wrestling with and which the internet itself before it first unleashed.

NTT Docomo from February 28th has released "Minna No Engei Hiroba TM" (Everyone's Gardening Plaza), a social network service for enjoying home gardening. "Everyone's Gardening Plaza" is a new SNS for gardening enthusiasts, who can record a daily cultivation log while raising plants, connect with peers, and share information.  By entering the type of plant or the cultivation starting date, explanations about essential thinning, fertilizing, and other such tasks are sent by mail at appropriate times.  In addition, you connect with other users raising the same plants and reference skillful gardeners' methods, and since you can give each other advice when you run into trouble, beginner gardeners can tend their greenery in a carefree spirit. Also, from April 1st (scheduled), a paid membership service will be implemented, for a monthly fee of 157 Yen (incl. tax), allowing users to receive cultivation advice from a horticultural specialist advisor.

Well, the number of American Express members who chose to participate are impressive, as is the resulting activity. Here are the statistics to date as reported by Visibli, which is keeping a real-time tally: 25,705 members have joined the program (72 new users per hour); 156,415 special offer hashtag messages have been tweeted (286 tweets per hour); $7,051,729 total dollars have been spent; $1,402,625 in discounts have been collected; And the numbers continue to mount!

Grantoo gives students a chance to win grants for playing games online --brands can sponsor tournaments by providing cash that will go towards educational grants or donations to charities for students who win.

The over-saturation of advertising, and an ever-increasing distrust of ads has led to a decline in the effectiveness of paid media. Conversely, earned media is gaining ground. Check out this whitepaper from Zuberance, previously offered last month, to see why earned media is so powerful and to learn how you can put it to use for your brand. In this report, you will learn: 1. Earned media is the most trusted and credible form on content for a brand 2. Social media has amplified the sheer quantity and reach of earned media 3. Conversion rates are higher and ROI is larger 4. Earned media lasts 5. Earned media is measurable

AT&T doing long form web series, "Daybreak." It's supposed to expose some of AT&T's sexiest tech and engage fans with apps and embedded links to other AT&T offerings.

Just in case we hadn't covered this. Amazon expanding its video offerings.

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"The app will not only contain the songs, but is also expected to be "completely interactive with chats, films for every song, extra music, content, gaga inspired games, fashion updates, magazines, and more." " It sounds like a great idea and while we're not sure if this will combat piracy in the music industry, it might offer enough content for fans to justify paying for the app rather than just downloading it illegally.

"Saucony, the running shoe and apparel company, based outside of Boston is supporting its Run for Good Foundation with a free iPhone app. Runners to earn donations for each mile that they run, with the proceeds benefiting youth running programs. The now six year old foundation will total up runners' miles each month and double its $5,000 donation to that month's featured group, so long as the goal of 10,000 miles is met."

Chevrolet is making a radical departure from its approach to turn-by-turn navigation services. After using parent company's General Motors' OnStar service since its inception, Chevy is offering a competing alternative in its Sonic and Spark automobile lines. Called BringGo, it's an integrated smartphone-dashboard system - Chevy's first attempt at a bring-your-own-maps nav service to any of its vehicles.

AliveCor offers vets a way to take an ECG reading quickly and without the need for complicated equipment

Mobile social activism; viewers were able to offer real-time feedback on the candidates via the app.

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