LG Electronics and Samsung today said they will jointly develop technology that they envision as the standard for mobile digital TV in North America.

It's the first time LG and Samsung have teamed on a project.

In a joint statement, the two companies said "(We) will propose a jointly developed technology as the North American technology standard for mobile DTV."

The companies said their technology will be unvelied to the Advanced Television Systems Committee - better known as ATSC - by the end of this year. ATSC is the group establishing digital TV broadcasting standards internationally, and it's expected to adopt the DTV standard for mobile devices for North America early next year.

"Our collaboration on North American mobile DTV standardization will help accelerate the ATSC standardization of mobile TV technology, which will benefit both consumers and broadcasters," said Park Jong-woo, president of the digital media business for Samsung, in a statement.

Said LG President and CTO Paik Woo: "'LG and Samsung are already world-class in digital TV and mobile communications. Through this collaboration, we also have an opportunity to lead the North American mobile DTV market."

The National Association of Broadcasters has said the U.S. market for DTV mobile phones could hit 130 million units within four years.

And he can watch the games while listening to MP3s on his MacGyver Watch from Skullcandy.

This watch (yes, it also tells time) can store up to 1GB of music and data. It has a five-mode audio equalizer, a USB drive, a music shuffle play feature, and a built-in voice recorder.

Can it get you out of tight spots? I'm not sure about that, but it's a cool gadget for grown-ups.

It goes for $199.95 at Skullcandy.

There's a good report about it at HD Guru, which says Sony is ready to lead the charge, with LG, Samsung, Sharp and Toshiba expected to follow.

So check those ads carefully and plan accordingly. The reports say manufacturers are knocking hundreds of dollars off prices (discounts of 20 to 25 percent in many cases), so May appears to be the month to move if you're in the market for a new set.  

And it's better than the usual beep-beep-beep. Our Lady Of The Trunk (American Science & Surplus, $7.95) sends out a 100-decibel feminine voice, telling all within earshot that you're moving in reverse.

You wire the speaker to your brake lights and mount the speaker on the trunk (I'm guessing this would look better on a truck or SUV than a car, but you can be the judge).