MSN Direct closes the loop between the PC and the car. REDMOND, Wash., July 29
REDMOND, Wash., July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today Microsoft Corp.
released an open application programming interface (API) for the MSN Direct
Send to GPS feature for navigation devices. This allows any Web site to offer
visitors the ability to send addresses, business listings, or other locations
directly from the site to their GPS unit, eliminating the cumbersome step of
re-entering or searching for the same information on their navigation device.
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The API is an extension of the MSN Direct feature initially launched at
International CES earlier this year. With this updated version, MSN Direct
allows any Web site to send location information to navigation devices either
wirelessly or via a USB connection. The wireless delivery is compatible with
MSN Direct-enabled devices that have the Send to GPS feature, including
several units from Garmin Ltd. such as the nuvi 780 and nuvi 880, along with
nuvi 5000, nuvi 750, nuvi 760, or nuvi 2x5 series devices with the optional
MSN Direct receiver. USB delivery is also compatible with the vast majority of
remaining Garmin navigators.
"MSN Direct opens up opportunities for Web sites in a variety of
areas -- real estate, travel, event planning and food service -- to make it
fast and simple for visitors to have access to turn-by-turn directions on
their navigation device," said Joe Coco, product unit manager of the MSN
Direct initiative at Microsoft. "MSN Direct helps consumers get the most out
of their navigation device, while also helping businesses drive more customers
to their locations."
A number of MSN Direct partners, including Garmin and Alpine Electronics
Inc., plan to ship or are already shipping GPS products that are compatible
with the MSN Direct Send to GPS feature.
"As more and more consumers are using their PC to locate their desired
destinations and then needing to find those exact locations on their GPS
device, MSN Direct is making that process easier for our customers," said
Roger Jollis, Garmin's director of OEM and mobile marketing. "Garmin was the
first to offer MSN Direct on an automotive GPS, and we are pleased with MSN
Direct's newest innovation because it will be very helpful to our customers."
For developers, the API is free, simple to integrate and uses standard Web
programming techniques. In addition to latitude and longitude, Web sites can
send a phone number, address, and other information. Developers can go to
http://www.msndirect.com/developer for more information.
About MSN Direct
MSN Direct is a leading provider of location-based services delivering
information such as traffic, gas prices, movie times, local events, weather
and more to portable devices. Its navigation offering, MSN Direct, is
available or will soon be available on GPS navigation systems from leading
brands such as Garmin, Pioneer and Alpine. To learn more about MSN Direct,
please visit http://www.msndirect.com.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their
full potential.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
