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Miscellaneous Debris => Tech Corner => Topic started by: Garth Bock on October 29, 2009, 04:46:57 PM

Title: Microsoft MSN Direct Going Down in 2012
Post by: Garth Bock on October 29, 2009, 04:46:57 PM
Microsoft announced that it's MSN Direct broadcast service will be shutting down on Jan 1, 2012. This affects some GPS's, smart appliances (including a coffee maker that displays the weather) and some weather related devices. I have an Ambient 5 day forecaster so I went on support chat to find out. Seems that devices like this use the MSN service via FM. Ed got on and said the Ambients and Bushnells rely on cell towers for the data stream. Unfortunately some of the Oregon Scientific that have the forecast on them use the MSN service. Ed said he wasnt aware of the shutdown but appreciated being made aware of it. I sent him the link to the article: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/microsofts-msn-direct-service-to-shut-down-in-2012/ (http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/microsofts-msn-direct-service-to-shut-down-in-2012/)

Title: Re: Microsoft MSN Direct Going Down in 2012
Post by: Cienega32 on October 30, 2009, 12:45:54 AM
A coffee maker that displays the weather? Man, I'm sure glad I never saw that toy!
Title: Re: Microsoft MSN Direct Going Down in 2012
Post by: Garth Bock on October 30, 2009, 09:53:23 AM
A coffee maker that displays the weather? Man, I'm sure glad I never saw that toy!

http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/15/melitta-me1msb-smart-brew-coffeemaker-gives-you-the-weather/ (http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/15/melitta-me1msb-smart-brew-coffeemaker-gives-you-the-weather/)

Title: Re: Microsoft MSN Direct Going Down in 2012
Post by: Cienega32 on October 30, 2009, 06:33:20 PM
... you just HAD to do that, didn't you...  :evil:


Now I'm really glad I didn't see it. That's not a bad looking appliance.
Title: Re: Microsoft MSN Direct Going Down in 2012
Post by: Chris H. on November 01, 2009, 01:31:45 AM
I wouldn't mind that, buuuut...I've got a cell phone, three computers (that work..I actually have four) and an iPod touch, which has oh, five or six weather apps on it. Plus a clock and current weather combo that I like because of its ergonomics.
Title: Re: Microsoft MSN Direct Going Down in 2012
Post by: Cienega32 on November 01, 2009, 01:33:19 AM
I have 5 or 6 TVs but I still want that one in the refrigerator door!
Title: Re: Microsoft MSN Direct Going Down in 2012
Post by: WeatherHost on November 01, 2009, 07:28:54 AM
I have 5 or 6 TVs but I still want that one in the refrigerator door!

The new generation of LCD panels will be thin enough and light enough that you might be able to do that.

This is the closest thing I could find right now:

http://www.igreenspot.com/digital-cutting-board-with-flexible-lcd/

It's a year or more old, so I'm sure they've got more ideas in the works by now.

Title: Re: Microsoft MSN Direct Going Down in 2012
Post by: mmorris on November 01, 2009, 12:38:27 PM
I have 5 or 6 TVs but I still want that one in the refrigerator door!

Looks like it already come and gone see link:
http://www.smarthome.com/1300/LG-Refrigerator-With-Built-In-LCD-TV/p.aspx (http://www.smarthome.com/1300/LG-Refrigerator-With-Built-In-LCD-TV/p.aspx)
Title: Re: Microsoft MSN Direct Going Down in 2012
Post by: Chris H. on November 01, 2009, 05:47:14 PM
I have 5 or 6 TVs but I still want that one in the refrigerator door!

Looks like it already come and gone see link:
http://www.smarthome.com/1300/LG-Refrigerator-With-Built-In-LCD-TV/p.aspx (http://www.smarthome.com/1300/LG-Refrigerator-With-Built-In-LCD-TV/p.aspx)

I haven't seen one of these since 2006!
Title: Re: Microsoft MSN Direct Going Down in 2012
Post by: Cienega32 on November 01, 2009, 09:30:17 PM
I have 5 or 6 TVs but I still want that one in the refrigerator door!

Looks like it already come and gone see link:
http://www.smarthome.com/1300/LG-Refrigerator-With-Built-In-LCD-TV/p.aspx (http://www.smarthome.com/1300/LG-Refrigerator-With-Built-In-LCD-TV/p.aspx)

Yup! That's the one!

"DISCONTINUED"!

Excellent!  Look at all the money this thread has saved me!
Title: Re: Microsoft MSN Direct Going Down in 2012
Post by: Garth Bock on November 02, 2009, 10:03:29 AM
L G makes a web enabled washer and dryer. That way she can know when the loads done....heck it will probably even Twit ya. Here at the university all the dorm laundromats are on the network. Anyone can go to a web page and see if there are any available washers or dryers in their dorm before they make the long trip downstairs. Very cool.
Title: Re: Microsoft MSN Direct Going Down in 2012
Post by: Cienega32 on November 02, 2009, 12:55:24 PM
I remember reading about that. I thought it was an excellent idea for a campus.