• by Gavin O'Malley  @mp_gavin, April 11, 2008

As part of a larger effort to align its disparate Web assets, AOL has launched a technology hub encompassing its popular Engadget network, along with related blogs from its Weblogs network.

AOL's new Technology Network will offer a resource to gather information about technology news and products, and, perhaps more importantly, enable advertisers to more easily integrate ad campaigns across related AOL properties.

"One of our top priorities at Platform-A is to make it easier for advertisers to leverage the power of digital media, and the AOL Technology Network helps us achieve this goal," said Lynda Clarizio, who was recently appointed president of Platform-A ad platform.

The solution, as Clarizio well understands, is consolidating and integrating Platform-A's and AOL's various parts. "Combining these great technology information sites into one network lets us offer marketers the ability to more easily buy across these sites," she said.

Other sites within the new AOL Technology Network include DownloadSquad, the Apple-focused TUAW blog, Engadget Mobile, Engadget HD, along with Weblogs sites like Joystiq, Xbox 360 Fanboy, and Wii Fanboy.

"We're bringing together some of the Web's most powerful and fastest-growing tech blogs to create a technology publishing powerhouse," said Marty Moe, senior vice president, of AOL money and finance and Weblogs.

CNET remains by far the most-trafficked tech news property on the Web. The site was drawing roughly 61.5 million unique monthly visitors as of December, according to comScore--while its closest rival, NetShelter, was recording about 26 million.

In addition to the launch, Engadget, and Switched--a site for less savvy tech enthusiasts--have unveiled new designs with a more streamlined look and feel.

All the sites in the network will feature tabs at the top linking to the other AOL Technology Network sites, making it easy for users to navigate across them.

Visitors will be able to access network sites directly from their existing domain names or through a link on AOL.com that will take users to the network.