A SPOT of Background -- SPOT evolves into .NET Micro FrameworkMicrosoft once described its Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT) initiative as being "aimed at improving the function of everyday objects through the injection of software." Smart wristwatches were the first SPOT-based...

application, with Bill Gates unveiling early SPOT watch prototypes during his keynote address at the January, 2003 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Then, in 2007, SPOT evolved into .NET Micro Framework. Updated in Feb., 2008 with the release of .NET MF 2.5, and with .NET MF 3.0 due soon, the technology continues to offer a Microsoft option for deeply embedded, resource-constrained devices based on processors that lack hardware memory management units (MMUs).

MSNDirect service component

At a sneak preview of SPOT watches given by Microsoft at COMDEX 2003, Microsoft began referring to the SPOT watches as "Smart Watches with MSN Direct." The event foreshadowed the launch of a service that, for a monthly or annual subscription, would deliver weather, traffic, and other information to mobile devices over FM radio subcarrier bands.

Bill Gates subsequently showed off the first consumer SPOT watches to achieve retail availability -- made by watchmakers Fossil and Suunto -- at the January, 2004 CES in Las Vegas. At the same time, Gates announced the launch of Microsoft's MSN Direct broadcasting service to transmit content to the watches. Today, while SPOT watches are "sold out and no longer available," the MSNDirect service continues to support select .NET MF-based devices, Windows Mobile phones, and navigation devices, including those based on Microsoft's relatively new NavReady stack.

For more background and history on SPOT and SPOT watches, visit our Spotlight on SPOT reference guide. To learn more about available devices based on the .NET Micro Framework, read on!

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.NET MF and MSN Direct Showcase

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Vizia RF Foyer Ethernet to Z-Wave gateway -- Jun. 01, 2007 -- A wireless home automation gateway based on the Z-Wave protocol, the Vizia RF Foyer os claimed to be the industry's first Ethernet to Z-Wave gateway. It aims to allow any Ethernet-connected computer to control a Z-Wave network.


Garmin Nuvi 680 -- Jan. 09, 2007 -- Garmin's nuvi 680 was the first GPS device to offer location-based services (LBS) based on the MSNDirect transmission network.


Melitta Smart Mill & Brew -- Nov. 16, 2006 -- The first coffeemaker to incorporate Microsoft's SPOT (Smart Personal Objects Technology) and the .Net Micro Framework, the Smart Mill & Brew, from Salton subsidiary Melitta, gets weather information broadcast over the air from MSN Direct.


Oregon Scientific Regional Weather Station -- Jan. 05, 2006 -- A personal weather station offering complete weather details and a three-day forecast and National Weather Service warnings, the Regional Weather Station can display current indoor and outdoor temperatures, humidity levels, sunrise and sunset times, wind direction and speed, heat index, barometric pressure, and UV levels.

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News and Articles about .NET MF

• Microsoft tips .NET MF 3.0 highlights
  
• New article introduces .NET Micro Framework
  
• .NET Micro Framework multithreading explained
  
• .NET Micro Framework book sample chapter available
  
• .NET Micro Framework kit targets students
  
• Microsoft beefs up .NET Micro Framework networking
  
• Microsoft pushes content to Windows phones
  
• Tetris comes to .NET Micro Framework
  
• .NET Micro Framework upgrade coming in "early 2008"
  
• .NET MF dev kit gets "real cool" updates
  
• Microsoft launches .NET Micro Framework blog
  
• Aliens invade .NET Micro Framework
  
• ARM7 and ARM9 microcontrollers gain .NET MF ports
  
• Microsoft releases .NET Micro Framework 2.0 SP1
  
• .NET Micro Framework to get Blackfin port
  
• .NET Micro Framework book available for pre-order
  
• Tiny CPU module does .NET Micro Framework
  
• Using .NET Micro Framework with Freescale's i.MXS kit
  
• .NET Micro Framework targets tiny Ethernet module
  
• Videos focus on .NET Micro Framework
  
• Dev kit aims to speed .NET Micro Framework apps
  
• Microsoft releases low-end embedded software platform
  
• How the .NET Micro Framework and Windows CE differ
  
• Microsoft's .NET Micro Framework builds momentum
  
• Microsoft aims .NET at gadgets
  
• Dev kit aims .NET at deeply embedded apps
  
• Freescale supports Windows Vista SideShow with dev kit
  
• WE-DIG takes on the .NET MF
  
• .NET MF to target teeny gadgets

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