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Smart Personal Objects Technology
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<h2 id="history">History</h2> <h3>Development</h3> <p>Development of SPOT began as an incubation project led by Microsoft engineer, Bill Mitchell, and initiated by the Microsoft Research division.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> Mitchell would enlist the help of Larry Karr, president of SCA Data Systems, to develop the project. Karr had previously worked in the 1980s to develop technology for <a href="/facts/Atari/XK95bfqH">Atari</a> that would distribute games in a manner distinct from the company's competitors; Karr proposed FM broadcasting subcarrier transmission as a method of distribution, technology which would also be used by Microsoft's SPOT.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a> Microsoft Research and SCA Data Systems would ultimately develop the <a href="/facts/DirectBand/4j4bUKEK">DirectBand</a> subcarrier technology for SPOT.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a> <a href="/facts/National_Semiconductor/xeAD8doA">National Semiconductor</a> would aid in the development of device <a href="/facts/Chipset/0xU3kbVI">chipsets</a>, which would feature an <a href="/facts/ARM7/YQuwF2Lc">ARM7</a> <a href="/facts/CPU/Jxp1bqMV">CPU</a> and <a href="/facts/ROM/P9QMuDLH">ROM</a>, <a href="/facts/Static_random-access_memory/Pmyo4V5e">SRAM</a>, and a 100 <a href="/facts/MHz/6Wshj5qm">MHz</a> <a href="/facts/RF_module/Ldj7fodC">RF receiver chip</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a> </p><p>SPOT was unveiled by Bill Gates at the annual COMDEX computer exposition event in fall of 2002.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a> Gates stated that "new devices and technologies will help bring about the next computing revolution" and demonstrated <a href="/facts/Refrigerator_magnet/4WL3E5UY">refrigerator magnets</a> that displayed the current time and <a href="/facts/Score_(sport)/HYS5JIeV">sports scores</a>, and an <a href="/facts/Alarm_clock/0jkF5sVq">alarm clock</a> that could display a list of upcoming appointments, <a href="/facts/Traffic_reporting/wrBPNLvz">traffic updates</a>, and <a href="/facts/Weather_forecasts/nzqyMFCa">weather forecasts</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a> </p> <p>At the Consumer Electronics Show of 2003, Microsoft announced that <a href="/facts/Wristwatch/PuFUMNTl">wristwatches</a> would be the first type of device to utilize the technology in a partnership with watch manufacturers <a href="/facts/Citizen_Watch_Co./Cx2AzaIo">Citizen Watch Co.</a>, <a href="/facts/Fossil_Group/arY53f6A">Fossil</a>, and <a href="/facts/Suunto/u4Pg5f1h">Suunto</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22"><sup>22</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23"><sup>23</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24"><sup>24</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25"><sup>25</sup></a> Bill Gates also demonstrated a set of prototype smart watches.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26"><sup>26</sup></a> SPOT was not Microsoft's first foray into the smartwatch business—the company previously co-developed the <a href="/facts/Timex_Datalink/DETqkxG9">Timex Datalink</a> with <a href="/facts/Timex_Group/13cHLs2h">Timex</a> in 1994.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27"><sup>27</sup></a> During CES, Microsoft claimed that the first SPOT-based smartwatches would be released in the fall of that year;<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28"><sup>28</sup></a> the company would also release a promotional video that displayed an estimated delivery time of fall 2003,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29"><sup>29</sup></a> but the first devices would be delayed until the beginning of 2004.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:30" href="#fn:30"><sup>30</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:31" href="#fn:31"><sup>31</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:32" href="#fn:32"><sup>32</sup></a> </p><p>At the <a href="/facts/Windows_Hardware_Engineering_Conference/qt66bsal">Windows Hardware Engineering Conference</a> of 2003, Gates unveiled a new set of hardware-based navigational controls codenamed XEEL, designed to create a consistent navigation experience across <a href="/facts/Windows/bwhAhuSL">Windows</a>-based devices, such as <a href="/facts/Smart_phones/cSIrBMWG">smart phones</a>, <a href="/facts/Tablet_computer/6pGX2I7b">tablet PCs</a>, and those powered by SPOT.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:33" href="#fn:33"><sup>33</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:34" href="#fn:34"><sup>34</sup></a> Microsoft intended for XEEL to create a consistent navigation experience across hardware devices that equaled the software interface navigation consistency introduced by the <a href="/facts/Mouse_(computing)/fJpa1tUE">mouse</a> <a href="/facts/Scroll_wheel/51KCdbYG">scroll wheel</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:35" href="#fn:35"><sup>35</sup></a> </p><p>In June 2003, Microsoft unveiled its <a href="/facts/MSN_Direct/4zSAHfc9">MSN Direct</a> wireless service developed specifically for SPOT, which would be made available across North America. The company stated that the service would enable the delivery of personalized information on devices and, as an example of this functionality, would allow users to receive messages sent from <a href="/facts/MSN_Messenger/Fan8DcWu">MSN Messenger</a> or calendar appointment reminders from <a href="/facts/Microsoft_Outlook/cMGCKGFJ">Microsoft Outlook</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:36" href="#fn:36"><sup>36</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:37" href="#fn:37"><sup>37</sup></a> MSN Direct would use a subscription-based business model, available through monthly or yearly service plans.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:38" href="#fn:38"><sup>38</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:39" href="#fn:39"><sup>39</sup></a> MSN Direct relied on the DirectBand subcarrier technology developed by Microsoft in conjunction with SCA Data Systems.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:40" href="#fn:40"><sup>40</sup></a> </p> <h3>Release</h3> <p>The first devices to make use of SPOT were released in 2004 by Fossil and Suunto.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:41" href="#fn:41"><sup>41</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:42" href="#fn:42"><sup>42</sup></a> <a href="/facts/Tissot/j6ApPrfd">Tissot</a> would later introduce the first compatible watch to feature a <a href="/facts/Touchscreen/zpSKDFpe">touchscreen</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:43" href="#fn:43"><sup>43</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:44" href="#fn:44"><sup>44</sup></a> and <a href="/facts/Swatch/CpVnMbof">Swatch</a> would release the first compatible watch, largely tailored towards younger consumers.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:45" href="#fn:45"><sup>45</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:46" href="#fn:46"><sup>46</sup></a> As smartwatches were the first type of devices to make use of the technology, they became the <i>de facto</i> type of device that represented it. </p><p>In 2006, <a href="/facts/Oregon_Scientific/agx3j4ym">Oregon Scientific</a> released the second type of SPOT device, a weather station that displayed regional weather forecasts and other various types of information.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:47" href="#fn:47"><sup>47</sup></a> A second generation of smartwatches was also released, and were designed to address the shortcomings observed in first generation models.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:48" href="#fn:48"><sup>48</sup></a> Later that year, Melitta released the third type of device to utilize the technology: a coffee maker that displayed weather forecasts on an electronic visual display.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:49" href="#fn:49"><sup>49</sup></a> <a href="/facts/Garmin/ogjlaRwp">Garmin</a> released the first SPOT-compatible <a href="/facts/GPS/DKVLnzF3">GPS</a> navigation units in 2007.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:50" href="#fn:50"><sup>50</sup></a> </p><p>In early 2008, Microsoft announced that MSN Direct would be available for <a href="/facts/Windows_Mobile/YfskR7FS">Windows Mobile</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:51" href="#fn:51"><sup>51</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:52" href="#fn:52"><sup>52</sup></a> and in early 2009, the service would receive additional location-based enhancements.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:53" href="#fn:53"><sup>53</sup></a> </p> <h3>Discontinuation</h3> <p>Production of SPOT watches ceased in 2008.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:54" href="#fn:54"><sup>54</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:55" href="#fn:55"><sup>55</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:56" href="#fn:56"><sup>56</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:57" href="#fn:57"><sup>57</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:58" href="#fn:58"><sup>58</sup></a> In 2009, Microsoft announced that it would discontinue the MSN Direct service at the beginning of 2012.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:59" href="#fn:59"><sup>59</sup></a> The company stated that this decision was due to decreased demand for the service and because of the emergence of more efficient and popular forms of data distribution, such as <a href="/facts/Wi-Fi/u94quCsx">Wi-Fi</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:60" href="#fn:60"><sup>60</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:61" href="#fn:61"><sup>61</sup></a> The MSN Direct service continued to support existing SPOT devices until transmissions ceased on January 1, 2012.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:62" href="#fn:62"><sup>62</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:63" href="#fn:63"><sup>63</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:64" href="#fn:64"><sup>64</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="overview">Overview</h2> <p>SPOT extended functionality of traditional devices to include features not originally envisaged for them; a SPOT-powered coffeemaker, for example, would be able to display information such as weather forecasts on an electronic visual display.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:65" href="#fn:65"><sup>65</sup></a> Smartwatches featured digital watch displays, referred to as <i>Channels</i>, that presented information in a manner that could be customized by a user—a user could also specify the default channel to be displayed; this feature was functionally analogous with a <a href="/facts/Home_screen/q5Aaaho2">home screen</a> commonly seen in <a href="/facts/Mobile_operating_system/wysBVca1">mobile operating systems</a>. Additional channels could be <a href="/facts/Download/qN7fWmyI">downloaded</a> from a specialized website,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:66" href="#fn:66"><sup>66</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:67" href="#fn:67"><sup>67</sup></a> and a <i>Glance</i> feature would allow a user to cycle through downloaded information.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:68" href="#fn:68"><sup>68</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:69" href="#fn:69"><sup>69</sup></a> </p><p>Manufacturers could also add their own features to SPOT-based devices;<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:70" href="#fn:70"><sup>70</sup></a> as an example, a manufacturer could create its own smartwatch channel in order to distinguish its product from a competitor's product.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:71" href="#fn:71"><sup>71</sup></a> Each SPOT-based device included a <a href="/facts/Unique_identifier/NMcgc7qX">unique identification number</a> used to enable secure <a href="/facts/Authentication/64y4S69b">authentication</a> and <a href="/facts/Encryption/16q29Fdv">encryption</a> of DirectBand signals. Microsoft also reportedly considered an alarm function for SPOT-based smartwatches that would activate in the event of theft.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:72" href="#fn:72"><sup>72</sup></a> </p><p>SPOT relied on the <a href="/facts/.NET_Micro_Framework/334B92WM">.NET Micro Framework</a> for the creation and management of embedded device <a href="/facts/Firmware/62UVKIUK">firmware</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:73" href="#fn:73"><sup>73</sup></a> This technology would later be used for the <a href="/facts/Windows_SideShow/X6AjLENY">Windows SideShow</a> feature introduced in <a href="/facts/Windows_Vista/IASEUCTB">Windows Vista</a>, which shares design similarities with SPOT.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:74" href="#fn:74"><sup>74</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:75" href="#fn:75"><sup>75</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:76" href="#fn:76"><sup>76</sup></a> In 2007, five years after SPOT was announced, Microsoft released the first <a href="/facts/Software_development_kit/2Hkk6Hbs">software development kit</a> for the .NET Micro Framework.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:77" href="#fn:77"><sup>77</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:78" href="#fn:78"><sup>78</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Internet_of_things/rwwGAxn3">Internet of things</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/.NET_Framework/J6QDAUhP">.NET Framework</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/.NET_Compact_Framework/yc74kdnP">.NET Compact Framework</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Microsoft_Band/8DYRhqgJ">Microsoft Band</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Smart_Display/oTsScqAI">Smart Display</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Windows_CE/bMUhjgqQ">Windows CE</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Windows_SideShow/X6AjLENY">Windows SideShow</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Thurrott, Paul (January 16, 2003). "Smart Personal Object Technology (SPOT) Preview". SuperSite for Windows. Penton. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2015. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110721001244/http://www.winsupersite.com/article/mobile-computing-devices/smart-personal-object-technology-spot-preview-127881" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110721001244/http://www.winsupersite.com/article/mobile-computing-devices/smart-personal-object-technology-spot-preview-127881</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"Q&A: Microsoft and Watch-making Partners Announce First Smart Personal Objects Technology Wristwatches". News Center. Microsoft. January 9, 2003. Retrieved April 23, 2015. <a href="http://news.microsoft.com/2003/01/09/qa-microsoft-and-watch-making-partners-announce-first-smart-personal-objects-technology-wristwatches/" target="_blank">http://news.microsoft.com/2003/01/09/qa-microsoft-and-watch-making-partners-announce-first-smart-personal-objects-technology-wristwatches/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"Microsoft Presents Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT)-Based Wristwatches at CES". News Center. Microsoft. January 9, 2003. Retrieved April 28, 2015. <a href="http://news.microsoft.com/2003/01/09/microsoft-presents-smart-personal-objects-technology-spot-based-wristwatches-at-ces/" target="_blank">http://news.microsoft.com/2003/01/09/microsoft-presents-smart-personal-objects-technology-spot-based-wristwatches-at-ces/</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"Microsoft Launches Smart Personal Object Technology Initiative". News Center. Microsoft. November 17, 2002. Retrieved April 22, 2015. <a href="http://news.microsoft.com/2002/11/17/microsoft-launches-smart-personal-object-technology-initiative/" target="_blank">http://news.microsoft.com/2002/11/17/microsoft-launches-smart-personal-object-technology-initiative/</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>Thurrott, Paul (January 16, 2003). "Smart Personal Object Technology (SPOT) Preview". SuperSite for Windows. Penton. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2015. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110721001244/http://www.winsupersite.com/article/mobile-computing-devices/smart-personal-object-technology-spot-preview-127881" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110721001244/http://www.winsupersite.com/article/mobile-computing-devices/smart-personal-object-technology-spot-preview-127881</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>Walker, Leslie (January 16, 2003). "Web Special: Consumer Electronics Show 2003". The Washington Post. Nash Holdings. Retrieved April 22, 2015. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/technology/articles/CES_2003.htm" target="_blank">https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/technology/articles/CES_2003.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>Hachman, Mark (January 31, 2003). "Microsoft's SPOT: The Atari Connection". ExtremeTech. Ziff Davis Media. Retrieved April 22, 2015. <a href="http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/53284-microsofts-spot-the-atari-connection" target="_blank">http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/53284-microsofts-spot-the-atari-connection</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Bright, Peter (September 11, 2014). "Lessons learned from Microsoft's pioneering—and standalone—smartwatches". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Retrieved April 28, 2015. <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/09/11/lessons-learned-from-microsofts-pioneering-and-standalone-smartwatches/" target="_blank">https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/09/11/lessons-learned-from-microsofts-pioneering-and-standalone-smartwatches/</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>Bright, Peter (September 11, 2014). "Lessons learned from Microsoft's pioneering—and standalone—smartwatches". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Retrieved April 28, 2015. <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/09/11/lessons-learned-from-microsofts-pioneering-and-standalone-smartwatches/" target="_blank">https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/09/11/lessons-learned-from-microsofts-pioneering-and-standalone-smartwatches/</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Thurrott, Paul (January 16, 2003). "Smart Personal Object Technology (SPOT) Preview". SuperSite for Windows. Penton. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2015. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110721001244/http://www.winsupersite.com/article/mobile-computing-devices/smart-personal-object-technology-spot-preview-127881" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110721001244/http://www.winsupersite.com/article/mobile-computing-devices/smart-personal-object-technology-spot-preview-127881</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>"Q&A: Microsoft and Watch-making Partners Announce First Smart Personal Objects Technology Wristwatches". News Center. Microsoft. January 9, 2003. 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