LiveSide - News blog : MSN Direct

MSN Direct service to shut down Jan. 1, 2012

Kip Kniskern — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:56:00 GMT

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)

MSN Direct API “Send to GPS” released

Kip Kniskern — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:32:26 GMT

Just getting the urge to regurgitate press releases out of our system today – but here’s just one more (hey, we read press releases so you don’t have to!). Today Microsoft has announced an API for MSN Direct, to allow websites to send location information to navigation devices either wirelessly or via a USB connection.

“MSN Direct opens up opportunities for Web sites in a variety of areas — real estate, travel, event planning and food service — to make it fast and simple for visitors to have access to turn-by-turn directions on their navigation device,” said Joe Coco, product unit manager of the MSN Direct initiative at Microsoft. “MSN Direct helps consumers get the most out of their navigation device, while also helping businesses drive more customers to their locations.”

A number of MSN Direct partners, including Garmin and Alpine Electronics Inc., plan to ship or are already shipping GPS products that are compatible with the MSN Direct Send to GPS feature.

“As more and more consumers are using their PC to locate their desired destinations and then needing to find those exact locations on their GPS device, MSN Direct is making that process easier for our customers,” said Roger Jollis, Garmin’s director of OEM and mobile marketing. “Garmin was the first to offer MSN Direct on an automotive GPS, and we are pleased with MSN Direct’s newest innovation because it will be very helpful to our customers.”

MSN Direct, which began with a collection of (huge) SPOT watches and appliances, has now evolved into integration with GPS devices and Windows Mobile phones, making it much more useful to a larger audience (in the non-giant-geek-watch wearing set).

The API is available at MSN Direct/Developer, and you can learn more about MSN Direct on the home page.

News from Mobile Congress 2008: MSN Direct; Danger acquisition; Sony Ericsson deal, and a Windows Live Mobile Dev announcement, whew!

Kip Kniskern — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:01:00 GMT

Quite a bit of Microsoft news coming out of the Mobile World Congress 2008, held in Barcelona, Spain. The most recent news is a free Technology Preview of MSN Direct, the technology behind Spot watches and MSN Direct radios and navigation devices. According to a press release, MSN Direct is now available for Windows Mobile phones:

With this technology preview, customers can receive instant access to information such as weather and stock updates; top news stories; and entertainment, sports and business news. The information is presented in a glanceable format, and is easily accessible directly from the home screen of a device. Content is automatically updated so that customers have immediate access to the content that matters most to them.

“This is the first time MSN Direct content has been made available to mobile phones, and it is a strong next step for the delivery of MSN Direct content where customers have said they need it the most,” said Eric Lang, general manager of the MSN Direct initiative at Microsoft. “We are excited about the opportunities this new application will bring to mobile operators, consumers and the industry.”

After installing the technology preview on the device, customers can select content based on relevancy and preference. For more in-depth information on the topics a person is exploring, MSN Direct provides links that connect users to the relevant areas of the popular MSN Mobile portal. Together, MSN Direct and MSN Mobile provide users with quick and easy options for getting current information while on the go.

MSN Direct is a free download, however it uses the phone's data connection so there may be charges there depending on your data plan. You can try it out either by going to http://phone.msndirect.com on your phone and following the instructions, or to http://www.msndirect.com on your PC to learn more about MSN Direct and download the installation to your PC an transfer it via ActiveSync.

Microsoft has also announced it has acquired Danger, Inc., the company behind the software running on the T-Mobile Sidekick. From the press release:

Danger has connected with a customer base that is young and enthusiastic, Internet-savvy and socially inclined. The Danger team has a deep understanding of consumers and a hold on what people want from mobility, making it an ideal group to work with in delivering connected experiences. Adding Danger to the Entertainment and Devices Division will provide Microsoft with additional assets and resources that will accelerate the company’s entry into the consumer space and complement the company’s focus on delivering innovative technologies and services that connect people’s entertainment and information.

And then probably the biggest mobile news for Microsoft, which came out over the weekend, is the announcement of a new Windows Mobile phone from Sony Ericsson, the XPERIA X1. From the press release:

“The agreement between Microsoft and Sony Ericsson is undoubtedly a win-win for both companies,” said Lars Vestergaard, research director, European Wireless and Mobile Communications at IDC. “Marrying the power and ease of use of the Windows Mobile platform with the advanced consumer features Sony Ericsson is known for has the potential to reach the ‘sweet spot’ for mobile phones.”

The XPERIA X1 features include the following:

Unique arc slider with wide-pitch, easy-to-use QWERTY keyboard, 3-inch clear wide VGA display and high-quality high-finish metal body

Windows Mobile, HSDPA/HSUPA and Wi-Fi™ support so customers can enjoy their favorite entertainment and work efficiently on the move

XPERIA™ panels to navigate Web, multimedia and other applications with the tip of a finger

You can see a Flash demo of the new phone at Sony Ericsson X1.

Then finally, in another press release, Microsoft has announced a new version of Windows Live Mobile Developer, and Windows Live @ Mobile. From THAT press release:

These latest updates to the Windows Live Mobile Developer Program include new features to Microsoft’s Mobile Services Protocol and a new software development kit (SDK), enabling developers to create mobile versions of Windows Live Hotmail, Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Spaces that can work on any phone operating system. These updates give developers the capability to create applications with an exceptional user experience and more advanced functionality, all built on a WS*-compliant protocol. (...)

Microsoft is also announcing the availability of Windows Live @mobile, a program that enables mobile operators to deploy a set of standard Microsoft mobile services such as Windows Live for Mobile and MSN Mobile to their customers quickly and efficiently. These standard deals support different business models, providing operators with several choices, including subscriptions, transactions or advertising so they fit with their existing business or new business ideas. Operators can choose to deploy browser-based services that work on nearly any phone with a data plan or with any of the certified third-party clients developed by Microsoft partners.

While these programs are for phone operators and not independent developers, you can still learn a bit more about them at msnmobile.members.winisp.net

Send Live Search Maps info to Garmin GPS through MSN Direct

Kip Kniskern — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 11:45:00 GMT

Among a number of partner announcements at CES, Garmin, Live Search Maps, and MSN Direct announced new functionality that allows Garmin GPS devices, including the new Garmin nüvi 780, to receive information from MSN Direct, including user input through Live Search Maps. From the Garmin press release:

The enhanced dynamic content from the second generation of the MSN Direct network, which is also included on Garmin’s newly announced nüvi 880, includes:

Traffic conditions: receive up-to-date traffic incident and flow information for most metropolitan areas across North America, and let nüvi select a route that avoids traffic accidents, road closures, and construction.

Fuel prices: receive gas price data from over 100,000 gas stations across the nation. Drivers will always know where to get the best prices – and save time and fuel by using their unit to navigate directly to the station of their choice.

Weather reports: features current weather conditions (including high/low/current temperatures, chances of precipitation, humidity, pressure, wind, and weather alerts) as well as three day weather forecasts.

Enhanced movie listings: search for movies by title or by theater and receive show times, ‘star’ ratings, genre, actors, and more – and get driving directions to the theater.

Local events: receive special notices on festivals, concerts, and sporting events in your area, and navigate to them.

News and stocks: the latest news headlines and financial market updates are always at your fingertips.

Send to GPS capability: plan trips and look up destinations from the convenience of your computer, via Windows Live Local, and then wirelessly send locations to your nüvi 780.

Three months of free MSN Direct service is included with the purchase of the nüvi 780. Owners can re-subscribe for $49.95 a year, or a one-time charge of $129.95. For more information on MSN Direct services and coverage areas, visit http://garmin.msndirect.com.

If you have an existing Garmin device, Garmin offers the Garmin MSN Direct Receiver:

The MSN Direct Receiver accessory from Garmin comes with 12 months of free service from MSN Direct and is compatible with a variety of Garmin navigators.
Visit the Garmin website to view compatible Garmin navigators.

With a compatible device, you can then use Live Search Maps to send info via MSN Direct, according to the Virtual Earth / Live Maps blog:

Among the Virtual Earth news (stop by our booth if you're at the show for more) is our announcement with Garmin that their latest Portable Navigation Devices can receive individual Waypoints (addresses, business listings, any pushpin) as well as entire Live Maps Collections sent from your PC or Mac. What is unique here is that you don't need to physically connect your PND to your PC and it doesn't need to have a connection to the internet as the data is transmitted over FM airwaves. This enables you to do your trip planning at home on your PC with Live Search Maps and when you are done select the new 'Send to GPS' menu to have your location information transmitted to your Navigation device automatically. Plan a vacation by building a Collection of all of the attractions, Hotels, and landmarks you want to visit, then with once click you'll have them on your navigation system when you're on the road.

Clicking on "Send To" in Live Search Maps opens up the dialog to set up the MSN Direct device: