Wondering what the two tech titans (<- 3 times fast, try it!) have in store for smart meters? Earth2Tech's Katie Fehrenbacher has put together a neat matrix comparing Google’s PowerMeter and Microsoft’s Hohm and what each has in store for eco-minded homeowners.

As it stands now, Hohm seems to have an edge over PowerMeter. Hohm is looking more like a platform that not only monitors how much electricity a home is consuming, it will eventually lead to active and/or automated management of smart appliances and plugs.

Google, on the other hand, has Microsoft beat in the number of partner utilities for PowerMeter. Either way, under these programs the electric bill will no longer be a monthly mystery to many consumers. And that is a great way to spur conservation and smart energy use.

If I may make a suggestion: sooner rather than later, please.