SPOT Is Now More Than Just Watches

Iria · Jan 8, 2006, 11:47 PM

Microsoft seems to be renewing its focus on the once much-hyped SPOT technology, showing off more than just watches at CES this year. The SPOT folks told us that the technology really never died but instead fell victim to internal company politics. Originally part of Microsoft Research, it was moved to another division were it languished until a few months ago when it moved back under the Research umbrella.

Enter the Oregon Scientific Regional Weather Station, the first device to come out of this renewed focus. Along with monitoring inside temperature and humidity, it pulls information from the MSN Direct Weather Data service to give a comprehensive look at local weather conditions.

Along with scrolling weather warnings and air quality information, the device gives information on sunrise and sunset, a variety of current weather conditions, a weather forecast for the next three days, and a clock with selectable melody alarm.

The device is available from the Oregon Scientific website for $199.95. The promotional materials Microsoft gave us at the show seem to indicate this may be found in some Sharper Image retail locations as well.

The SPOT team says this is the first of several planned devices to be released this year. Maybe those SPOT magnets and whatnot that were hyped as possible applications of this technology are not vaporware after all.
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Source: BetaNews

Jan 8, 2006, 11:47 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 74	SPOT Is Now More Than Just Watches Microsoft seems to be renewing its focus on the once much-hyped SPOT technology, showing off more than just watches at CES this year. The SPOT folks told us that the technology really never died but instead fell victim to internal company politics. Originally part of Microsoft Research, it was moved to another division were it languished until a few months ago when it moved back under the Research umbrella. Enter the Oregon Scientific Regional Weather Station, the first device to come out of this renewed focus. Along with monitoring inside temperature and humidity, it pulls information from the MSN Direct Weather Data service to give a comprehensive look at local weather conditions. Along with scrolling weather warnings and air quality information, the device gives information on sunrise and sunset, a variety of current weather conditions, a weather forecast for the next three days, and a clock with selectable melody alarm. The device is available from the Oregon Scientific website for $199.95. The promotional materials Microsoft gave us at the show seem to indicate this may be found in some Sharper Image retail locations as well. The SPOT team says this is the first of several planned devices to be released this year. Maybe those SPOT magnets and whatnot that were hyped as possible applications of this technology are not vaporware after all. ____________ Source: BetaNews