Hohm vs. Powermeter: A side-by-side rundown (MSFT; GOOG)

From GreenBeat:

Much has been written about how the bitter rivalry between Google and Microsoft has extended to their respective home energy management systems, Google PowerMeter and Microsoft Hohm. But most of these stories make it sound like the tools render the same service: reporting how much energy people are using and how much it is costing them. Few have sussed out their subtler differences.

With so many smaller players in the home energy monitoring field (think OpenPeak, Tendril, People Power, Gridpoint, etc.), Microsoft and Google have been predicted to rise to the fore — but which will ultimately triumph? Here’s an insiders’ guide to where they diverge.

• Both Hohm and PowerMeter tap into smart meters to track how much energy households are using, and plot this data along a timeline.
• PowerMeter essentially won the race, appearing in February, while Hohm launched in June.
• PowerMeter has a more global presence, partnering with utilities in Germany, India and Canada. Hohm is so far limited to the U.S.
• Hohm aspires to track all household energy use, including gas. Google has not set out these goals....MORE