Daily Marauder

TECHNOLOGY

Ray Ozzie first hinted at it during a keynote speech last March. But tonight Microsoft is finally launching a preview beta of Live Mesh, a new Windows Live platform for syncing files and, eventually, applications across different devices. (Of course, for Microsoft, a beta means 10,000 people, so you have a pretty good chance of getting in if you sign up now—or not). Mesh is really a key element in chief software architect Ozzie’s efforts to make the Web the center of the Microsoft experience for consumers instead of the PC. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/22/microsofts-mesh-revealed%e2%80%94sync-all-apps-and-all-files-to-all-devices-as-long-as-theyre-windows 4/22)

Americans spent an average of $120 more on consumer electronics per household over the past 12 months than the prior period for a total of $1,405, according to the Consumer Electronics Association’s “10th Annual Household CE Ownership and Market Potential Study.” CEA also predicted that with the upcoming digital transition, HDTVs will lead the pack in growth in household penetration this year, with the potential to reach more than 50% of U.S. homes by the end of 2008. (TheRetailBRIDGE.com 4/23, TWICE 4/22)

Samsung will introduce superthin OLED monitors next year, with plans to expand beyond Sony’s 11-inch TV screens to include larger sets, as well as notebooks and other monitors, according to reports that quote a company executive as saying Samsung SDI will be able to pump out 3 million panels in 2009. The organic light-emitting diode screens are costly to manufacture, but produce the highest contrast ratios on the market. (CNET 4/22)