Two numbers in tech recently struck me. Starting with $1.8 billion, Microsoft is expected to spend that kind of cash promoting its new version of Windows, launching October 26th. The company is opening extra pop-up stores in malls around the country in time for the holidays. Forbes magazine says the marketing budget for Windows 8 will be the most for any product in the history of computers. 

Now, another number to chew on: There are now six billion mobile phones in use in a world with seven billion people according to the International Telecommunications Union’s annual report. Big jumps in cell phone use in Brazil and parts of sub-saharan Africa are part of this. That’s six billion active cell phones — all those obsolete phones collecting dust with the thumb tacks and rubber bands in the desk drawer don’t count.