Microsoft Corp.'s Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT) Group was a strong presence at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Microsoft announced a collaboration with Clear Channel that will materialize into MSN Direct HD but also the adoption of MSN Direct by the providers of navigational products. Garmin International Inc. will debut offering new MSN Direct services via its Global Positioning System devices.

In this context, Microsoft announced that the Garmin nüvi 680 with MSN Direct and the Street Pilot c580 with MSN Direct will be available in a few months for $999 and $799, respectively. The price includes a one-year subscription to MSN Direct. Via the Garmin GPS screens, Microsoft will serve customers traffic, weather forecasts and fuel prices information.

"Our network is ideally suited for delivering a wide variety of personalized location-based services at a low cost to the mobile consumer. We are proud to be working with industry leaders to continue the evolution of the SPOT vision of making everyday objects smarter through technology," said Eric Lang, general manager of the SPOT initiative at Microsoft, talking about Microsoft's DirectBand Network a wide-area wireless data delivery system . "We are showing new and exciting technologies and devices at CES this year, and are pleased to have greatly enhanced and expanded our suite of products."

"We are pleased to be working with Microsoft, as we believe we can now offer a superior product that not only gives people driving directions, but can also provide new location-specific data that can impact users' daily commute or trip," said Dan Bartel, vice president of worldwide sales for Garmin. "The MSN Direct content allows us to expand our existing product line to enhance the consumer experience with new and exciting applications and tools."