Microsoft Corp. plans a new service to deliver weather, stock quotes, instant messages and other data to customers via high-tech wristwatches.

The service, MSN Direct, will cost $9.95 a month with the first month free or a year's service for $59. It will be available in more than 100 North American cities this fall.

It's part of Microsoft's Smart Personal Object Technology initiative, announced last year, in which devices can receive and display information broadcast over a portion of the FM radio spectrum.

Microsoft is working on the technology while watchmakers Fossil and Suunto are developing the smart wristwatches, with many priced at $150 to $300. 

Microsoft has cut deals with broadcast companies including Clear Channel Communications, Rogers Communications, Entercom Communications and others to lease a slice of FM radio spectrum to transmit the data.

The main drawbacks are non-sending capacity, which means the user can only receive instance message but can't return the message. In addition the users will need to recharge the batteries once every few days.

By: DocMemory
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