Smart Personal Objects Technology
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Smart Personal Object Technology (SPOT) was Microsoft's initiative to attempt to create "smart" software and hardware to personalize household electronics and everyday devices to make their uses more versatile.
The SPOT technology used MSN Direct network services, delivered across the United States and Canada based on FM radio broadcast signals in about 100 metropolitan areas.
Smart wristwatches were the first SPOT-based application. "MSN Direct Watch" makers included watch companies such as Tissot, Swatch, Suunto, and Fossil. SPOT technologies also included coffeemakers by Melitta. It was also planned to use SPOT technology in alarm clocks and weather stations.
The future of SPOT seems to be questionable,[1] as there has been little publicity for the technology since 2005. Suunto has quietly dropped its line of SPOT watches (the n-series) some time after their release.[2] As of April 23, 2008 the line has been officially discontinued.[3][4] However the MSN Direct service will continue to support the already sold SPOT smart watches. [5]
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- spotstop.com news and reviews of SPOT technology
- MSN Direct service website
[edit] References
- ^ "The INQUIRER Top 5 Tech Wristwatches - The timepieces that time forgot", The Inquirer, 15 June 2007
- ^ "Products no longer in production", Suunto.com website
- ^ "SPOT watches, R.I.P.: 2004 - 2008", Engadget, 23 April 2008
- ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/02/technology/business-computing/02compute.html
- ^ Microsoft drop SPOT watch project
