As posted earlier in December Microsoft launches the MSN Direct Smart Watches at the CES 2004. Smart Watches and MSN Direct service, part of Microsoft’s Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT) initiative, allow people receive information on their wrist. Smart Watches, manufactured by Fossil Inc. and Suunto, utilize MSN Direct to receive personalized content including news, weather, personal messages, calendar appointment reminders and stock quotes. The watches also feature multiple watch faces and automatic time-zone adjustment based on location. People can personalize their watch through an interactive Web site (msndirect) where they choose the specific information and services they want to receive. The MSN Direct service is now available in more than 100 of the largest population centers in the United States and Canada. MSN Direct will provide personalized information from leading content partners, including CBC/Radio-Canada, CinemaSource, Citysearch.com, Comstock Inc, Encarta, ESPN, MSNBC, MSN Astrology, TeleAtlas North America, weather.com®, and The Wall Street Journal Online at WSJ.com. In addition, subscribers to MSN Direct service can receive personal messages via MSN Messenger and calendar appointment reminders from Microsoft® Outlook®. Customers can choose from two MSN Direct pricing options: a monthly subscription rate of $9.95 (U.S.) per month with the first month free or an annual payment of $59 (U.S.) for a full year of service. Fossil sells their three MSN Direct Smart Watches on their Fossil has their Site. The Wrist Net Dick Tracy (FX3002) sells for $199.00. The Fossil Wrist Net Square (FX3000) and Wrist Net Round (FX3001) sell for $179. All three Fossil Models only differ in style not in functionality. Abacus offers a low cost MSN Direct Smart Watch (AU4000) for $129.99, on sale at Amazon.com (third picture below). The Suunto N3 Smart Watch is available on Amazon.com for $299.00.

MSN Direct Service Features (SPOT):
TIME
Traveling across time zones? This watch automatically updates to the correct local time when you move locations. Plus, you can change the look of your watch with different watch face graphics, or use chronometer, alarm, and timer features.

NEWS
Stay abreast of what’s going on at all times. Receive regular, easy-to-read updates on only those types of news stories that interest you, including world, national, business, sports, technology, entertainment, health and travel.

WEATHER
Scan weather reports for your city and cities all over the world. Data includes current conditions, easy-to-read three-day forecasts, wind, humidity, barometric pressure, UV index and more.

PERSONAL MESSAGES
Receive personal messages on your watch.

CALENDAR
View times and locations for events important to you, including professional and college sports, concert and entertainment schedules, cultural events, holidays, appointments and even personal date book entries.

GLANCE
Fully customizable! Receive only the information you choose, all of it viewable at a glance. Includes a handy scroll view that allows for easy scanning of channel headlines without pressing a button.

AND MORE...
Choose other channels as they become available, like updated live sports scores, stock quotes, traffic alerts, movie times and locations, restaurant listings, games, and more.

Related Amazon Watch Deals

great places to shop for watches

• Watch Co.
• Watch Zone
• Fossil
• Amazon.com
• Swiss Outpost

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