Launched this fall, Cozi assists in tracking each family member's schedule, appointments, and even shopping lists through a downloadable calendar that can

At first glance the Cozi visual identity evokes a modern technological feel—but with a rather eerie Microsoft overtone. The Microsoft overtone apparently is not for nothing: the founders of the Seattle-based company are former veteran Microsoft employees who according to the site had a vision of "creating technology that would address the complex, dynamic needs of family life."

When viewed from an Apple PowerBook, the look and feel of the website is clean, relatively uncluttered, and easy to view and read, employing a color palette of deep orange, teal, and grass green along with a grey and white background and sans-serif typefaces, all of which take its cues from the brand's visual identity. However, when tested with a PC laptop through a slightly older version of Internet Explorer, the site's graphics appear surprisingly bitmapped, giving it a look that's more shabby than sleek.

Like many web-enhanced programs, the downloadable offline version of the calendar is available only for Windows-running PCs, leaving Mac users with a simplified, online-only version that is stripped of many features. For Mac-only households, the site is likely not worth the bother because many of the customization features can only be accessed via the offline version. (The company does claim on the site that Mac accessibility will be addressed "in the future"—but gives no indication as to when that may be.)

The full offline "Cozi Central" version employs vivid photo collages as screensavers with the current local time displayed, and can be customized with personal photos from a user's own collection. Email and text messages to family members can be easily sent through the "home" page of the software (accessible with both on- and offline versions) simply by typing in your message and clicking the "send" button. Once family-member email addresses are initially stored, there is no need to retype addresses for each message.

Once an entry is made as a calendar item or shopping/to-do list, the changes appear instantaneously, regardless of which computer and which calendar version (on- or offline) is accessed. While easy to read and view, the design is fairly unimaginative, with no customization features beyond adding family photos.

Cozi's sales revenue is anticipated to be based on national sponsorships and advertising from major family-friendly brands. Currently no third-party ads appear on either the site or full offline version. (Cozi was officially launched on October 1, 2006.) It's difficult to ascertain whether ads will make their appearance in the near future, or if the site is yet another next-generation dotcom rooted more in free, user-friendly functionality than a solid business model. So far the company has raised US$ 4.3 million in funding for its 15-person company—but will that be enough to keep it afloat?

Without a solid revenue model in place and facing competition from AirSet, MyFamily, Fircle, and ParentOrganizer plus countless other calendar/organizers such as MSN Hotmail and Apple's iCalendar, Cozi will be challenged to create the best way to support the busy needs of families—as well as its own business.