Tech Blog

Category: General Technology

Microsoft pulls plug on MSN direct, maybe on your GPS device, too

Own a GPS device that gets traffic 'over the air?' How about a self-setting watch? Or a desktop weather station? They might stop getting updates in 2012 when Microsoft discontinues its MSN Direct service.

MSN Direct is a technology that utilizes part of the FM radio spectrum to send data to equipped devices. Many units in Garmin's Nuvi series, for example, depend on MSN Direct to get real-time traffic for display or automatic rerouting. Those so-called 'atomic' watches and clocks that never need to be set also frequently use the same service.

Microsoft says the decision was made because the FM-spectrum technology of MSN Direct is largely being superseded others, including WiFi, Cellular, FM RDS and other digital networking systems.

In addition to traffic, other information available through paid channels on MSN Direct includes weather, horoscopes, stocks, news, sports results and calendar notifications.

Microsoft has set up a page to explain what it means to customers of the service.

Don't know if your device uses MSN Direct? You've still got time. But make certain you check the requirements of any information-based device you buy for yourself or others during the upcoming holiday season.