MSN Direct will come to more GPS devices this year

By Tim Conneally | Published January 9, 2008, 12:53 AM

The latest update to Microsoft's MSN Direct service will take effect on numerous personal navigation devices.

The update will allow users to integrate their personal navigation device with Microsoft Live Search Maps and all corresponding location data. Microsoft will be working with Alpine, Pioneer, Garmin, dmedia, and Streetdeck.

Garmin has said that its Nuvi 780, 880, and 5000 with MSN Direct will be released in the spring, and Avis Rent-a-Cars will then be equipped with Garmin's MSN Direct-enabled devices. Avis will be the first car rental company to offer MSN Direct services in its fleet.

Garmin 5000

dmedia announced its G4 product line with MSN content, also slated for availability in the spring. Pioneer's AVIC-F500BT hybrid in-dash/portable navigation system will be supplied with MSN Direct location data, and can be integrated into virtually any factory stereo system. This product has no scheduled release date.

Silverlight 3 goes live on Microsoft's servers

Microsoft's answer to Adobe's Flash is (unofficially) here, with prospects of higher-speed, higher-resolution video and for the first time, 3D.

Three Android phones on the way from T-Mobile in 2009

T-Mobile's myTouch 3G, launched Wednesday, will be followed by two more Android phones later this year, but neither of them will be HTC's Hero.

Best Buy-brand TVs to get TiVo

A new alliance will place the retailer's own brand alongide the manufacturers, and could also lead to future partnerships on services.

LTE still lacks a voice

The 4G Wireless standard that Verizon hopes to show off before this year is out is still at a loss for (spoken) words.

Data sharing among online advertisers: Is sanity in sight?

Lockdown with Angela Gunn In the middle of a 15-page plea not to get regulated, a spark of smart thinking.

T-Mobile's strategy to combat Apple's iPhone with Android

With a trio of Android phones now in the pipeline for 2009, T-Mobile hopes to break the iPhone's emerging stranglehold.

EC's Reding: Government should act as broker for media downloads

If Internet media services don't step up and build an attractive way for users to start paying for downloads, a commissioner says, government may do the job instead.

Sony TVs get Netflix, still no PS3

Though it's coming in behind LG, Samsung, and Microsoft, Sony will begin to offer Netflix streaming, too.

Google Chrome OS: Too little, too early

Carmi Levy: Wide Angle Zoom Don't start the revolution just yet, says Carmi, who isn't so certain Chrome OS will be the "Windows Killer."

GAO pen test brings the hammer down on federal rent-a-cops

But are the computers to blame for the contract-guard fiasco at FPS?

What's Next: Chrome OS will have at least some friends in high places

Also: South Korea takes another round of DDoS abuse, and Neelie Kroes and Steve Ballmer may shake hands before she exits stage left.

Report: Evidence of further creativity with Windows 7 upgrade prices

A ZDNet blogger did some serious digging for clues as to a reported price break on multiple Windows 7 Home Premium licenses, and may have found it.

Go to Fileforum

LimeWire for Windows 5.2.5 Beta

July 9 - 6:47 PM ET

Vuze for Windows 4.2.0.4

July 9 - 6:26 PM ET

UltraVNC 1.0.6.4

July 9 - 6:05 PM ET

WildBit Viewer 5.5 Beta 3.0

July 9 - 5:44 PM ET

Bvckup 1.0.0.239 Beta

July 9 - 5:30 PM ET

Microsoft Silverlight for Windows 3.0.40624.0

July 9 - 3:16 PM ET

AOL for Windows 9.5 Refresh Beta 11 (0.4337.74.1)

July 9 - 2:32 PM ET