| The Timex Internet Messenger is the last wireless data watch I've seen, but MSN Direct offers far more -- if you're lucky enough to live in an area with service. Information on the go The result of Microsoft's Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT), MSN Direct sends personalized information such as weather, stock quotes, sports scores, and news to an MSN Direct-enabled watch. Information broadcasts over a secure, encrypted FM network (we found service spotty around TechTV offices). Specify which information you wish to receive online by logging in to your MSN Direct account. The watch tells time too, of course. Time sets automatically over the same FM broadcast, which synchronizes with an atomic clock. Time updates automatically when you travel or when switching to daylight-saving time. You can always set time manually if you're out of signal range. When you travel, you'll have to specify your destination on MSN Direct to continue receiving personal information from Outlook and MSN Messenger messages. Currently only the top 100 metropolitan areas are covered, so it's definitely for those living the urban life. Smart Watches come with a variety of faces, so find one that fits your taste. Four buttons, one to select to information, two for scrolling up and down, and one to select, make navigating through information on your watch simple. The Smart Watch comes with a $10-per-month service fee or $60 for the year. Abacus, Fossil, and Suunto offer watches for between $130 and $300. | What's the news? Headline news comes from four sources, including The Washington Post and Reuters. Business news also comes from four sources, while technology news comes from five (three from Reuters). You may find stock quotes lacking, as you won't have access to all the companies on the major exchanges. Sports and entertainment news is also scant, and the lack of horoscopes disappoints. Thankfully, ESPN will soon find its way into MSN Direct service. I'd like to see MSN Direct offer sports scores broken down by quarter, inning, or period. I'd also like to see more in-depth weather forecasts. While you'll get forecast for the next three days, you won't be able to get more current updates. Will it rain during my commute? You won't find out using MSN Direct. |
| Getting personal MSN Direct offers a downloadable plug-in for Microsoft Outlook that also sends your schedule to the watch. Yank your sleeve, tilt your head, and peruse your meeting schedule or reminders of that birthday or anniversary. People who use MSN Messenger 6.0 or higher can send messages to a Smart Watch, although the wearer can't message back. Lots of watches boast data capability, some with data entry capabilities. But receiving and sending info with a watch is frustrating simply because a watch is so small. It's perfectly fine that Smart Watches don't send information. Bottom line Depending on how frequently you flip through menus and screens, Smart Watches last from a couple days to five days on a single charge. They all come with inductive (i.e. no metal contacts) charging stands, so you can charge them with little difficulty. But if you travel frequently, carrying around another charger can be a pain. (Suunto's N3 is ideal for travelers since it uses a cable to charge.) Don't rely on a Smart Watch for minute-by-minute stock-trading decisions or for checking weather in 75 cities simultaneously. But for basic day-to-day information, a Smart Watch is true to its name. I plan on using MSN Direct. I'm sold on the integration with MSN Messenger and Outlook. You have to consider style when looking for a watch, and Smart Watches tend to be large. But, last I heard, big watches are in style anyway. Pros: Integration with Outlook; automatic time set; news and information updates on your wrist.
Cons: Need to specify destination in order to receive news updates while traveling; limited coverage
Company: Microsoft
Price: $100 to $300 from Abacus, Fossil, and Suunto
Available: Now |
