Forget about entering in your username, password, shipping address, and payment details when checking out. That's so 2008! Going forward, you'll be able to part with your paycheck much quicker, assuming you shop at Amazon or any of the handful of other sites jumping on the Amazon PayPhrase bandwagon.

How's it work? You start by picking a phrase with at least two words and up to 100 characters in length, such as "Slam Dunk" or "Jake's Allowance," along with a PIN. Once you claim your unique PayPhrase, it will be tied to your Amazon account, including your billing info and shipping address. You'll enter this when it comes time to check out, and that's all there is to it.

"PayPhrase solves the headache of trying to keep track of all the different usernames and passwords people use to shop on various sites across the Web. With PayPhrase all you need is one phrase and one PIN to pay online," said Matt Williams, General Manager of Amazon PayPhrase.

Every PayPhrase is unique, so if this were to catch on, expect a rush to claim popular word duos. And for parents, you can set up spending limits and monitor your kids' purchases, as well as approve or decline each order by way of email or text alerts.

A handful of sites have signed up to use Amazon PayPhrase so far, including  DKNY, Jockey, Patagonia, Buy.com, J&R, and CarToys.com.

Amazon PayPhrase

According to a new report, shoppers continue to hop online at an increasing rate and are poised to spend $33.4 billion in 2009. If that number holds up, it will represent a 13.3 percent hike in online shopping compared to 2008. In 2010, the report says online shoppers will spend even more, reaching as high as $49.8 billion.

VerdictResearch, the company who put together the UK e-Retail 2009 report, notes cheaper prices and easier bargain hunting as reasons for the rise, in addition to a greater availability of free shipping offers.

"Those with less money to spend are turning to the Internet to search out bargains on the branded items like electricals," said Malcom Pinkerton, author of the report.

While the sales numbers are up, the report notes that the number of shoppers has not risen at the same rate as in previous years and was "considerably less" in 2008 than in 2007.

For many geeks, Newegg has become the de facto standard for shopping online for computer parts, and those of us living in the U.S. have had to endure the moans and groans from our brethren north of the border lamenting having to order PC peripherals elsewhere.  Those cries will soon end as Newegg readies its Canadian website.

Having established itself as the "second-largest online-only retailer in the U.S.," Newegg will look to duplicate its success up north taking on the likes of NCIX.com and TigerDirect.ca, but the company isn't saying whether it plans to open warehouses in Canada or will simply ship across the border. Nor is it known exactly when Newegg.ca will officially open for business, only that it will take place sometime in 2008, and presumably sooner rather than later. In the meantime, when not chewing on delicious bacon or awaiting free health care, Canadians are encouraged to sign up for Newegg Canada's newsletter to "be the first to know about pre-launch sweepstakes, giveaways, and events."

Aboot time, eh?