MSN Direct
Encyclopedia
MSN Direct is an FM radio-based digital service which allows 'SPOT
' portable devices to receive information from MSN
services. Devices that support MSN Direct include wristwatches, desktop clocks, in-car GPS satellite navigation units, and even small appliances such as coffee makers. Information available through paid "channels" includes weather, horoscopes, stocks, news, sports results and calendar notifications. The service also allows users to receive short messages from Windows Live Messenger
.
Some Garmin
GPS units, such as the nüvi 680, allow traffic notifications, weather forecasts, movie schedules and local gas prices to be received through MSN Direct.
As a radio-based service, MSN Direct does not have universal coverage, but is available in populated parts of the United States and Canada. It has not been launched in other areas.
Microsoft's latest expansion of MSN Direct has been to the Windows Mobile platform. MSN Direct for Windows Mobile takes advantage of both cellular and Wi-Fi connections, and allows Microsoft devices to better compete with the information services available on other mobile phone platforms.
There have been three versions of the MSN Direct software for Garmin nüvi GPS receivers:
Version 1, which is available for all nüvis, allows you to receive local gas prices, movie times, weather forecasts, and current conditions.
Version 2, which is available for nüvi 700- and 800-series receivers, offers enhanced movie listings, local events, news, stock prices, and the ability to send Microsoft’s Live Search Maps data to your nüvi.
Version 3, offers general airport delays for incoming and outgoing flights (but not individual flight delays) and a Doppler radar map when viewing weather.
On October 26, 2009, Microsoft announced that MSN Direct service would end on January 1, 2012.
Smart Personal Objects Technology
Smart Personal Object Technology was developed by Microsoft to personalize household electronics and other everyday devices, through "smart" software and hardware that would make their uses more versatile....
' portable devices to receive information from MSN
MSN
MSN is a collection of Internet sites and services provided by Microsoft. The Microsoft Network debuted as an online service and Internet service provider on August 24, 1995, to coincide with the release of the Windows 95 operating system.The range of services offered by MSN has changed since its...
services. Devices that support MSN Direct include wristwatches, desktop clocks, in-car GPS satellite navigation units, and even small appliances such as coffee makers. Information available through paid "channels" includes weather, horoscopes, stocks, news, sports results and calendar notifications. The service also allows users to receive short messages from Windows Live Messenger
Windows Live Messenger
Windows Live Messenger is an instant messaging client created by Microsoft that is currently designed to work with Windows XP , Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Mobile, Windows CE, Xbox 360, Blackberry OS, iOS, Java ME, S60 on Symbian OS 9.x and Zune HD...
.
Some Garmin
Garmin
Garmin Ltd. , incorporated in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, is the parent company of a group of companies founded in 1989 by Gary Burrell and Min Kao , that develops consumer, aviation, and marine technologies for the Global Positioning System...
GPS units, such as the nüvi 680, allow traffic notifications, weather forecasts, movie schedules and local gas prices to be received through MSN Direct.
As a radio-based service, MSN Direct does not have universal coverage, but is available in populated parts of the United States and Canada. It has not been launched in other areas.
Microsoft's latest expansion of MSN Direct has been to the Windows Mobile platform. MSN Direct for Windows Mobile takes advantage of both cellular and Wi-Fi connections, and allows Microsoft devices to better compete with the information services available on other mobile phone platforms.
There have been three versions of the MSN Direct software for Garmin nüvi GPS receivers:
Version 1, which is available for all nüvis, allows you to receive local gas prices, movie times, weather forecasts, and current conditions.
Version 2, which is available for nüvi 700- and 800-series receivers, offers enhanced movie listings, local events, news, stock prices, and the ability to send Microsoft’s Live Search Maps data to your nüvi.
Version 3, offers general airport delays for incoming and outgoing flights (but not individual flight delays) and a Doppler radar map when viewing weather.
On October 26, 2009, Microsoft announced that MSN Direct service would end on January 1, 2012.