Citing a decreasing demand, and advances in other technologies offering similar services, MSN is set to discontinue all MSN Direct service on January 1st, 2012, according to a notice on the MSN Direct homepage.
MSN Direct service will be available only until January 1, 2012.
Customers can continue to enjoy the full benefits of MSN Direct, along with service and support, up until that date. Pro-rated refunds for unused portions of existing One-Time Payment and other subscription plans will be automatically credited after January 1, 2012. Customers may cancel service at any point prior to that date and receive a pro-rated refund for any unused portion of their subscription. Microsoft customer support is available to answer any questions about existing subscriptions or refund eligibility at 1-866-658-7032.
More information and a FAQ are posted on the site.
MSN Direct, which launched in 2004, started with “Spot” watches, and then branched out to navigation devices and even coffeemakers. When stocks of those watches ran out in 2008, Microsoft chose not to replenish the supplies, but you can still buy navigation devices from Garmin, Pioneer, Alpine, and others.
At least MSN Direct has a Facebook page where users can complain ;).
(via the LA Times Tech Blog)