14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft and Clear Channel will build a data delivery service using HD radio technology across the United States. The two companies made a joint announcement at the 2007 Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas making public the collaborative agreement. The partnership will result in the delivery of personalized and localized content to an array of HD Radio receivers.
Neither Microsoft nor Clear Channel detailed any terms of their agreement. Microsoft informed that the joint initiative will be debuted under the MSN Direct HD umbrella brand. Currently, the MSN Direct HD service provides transmissions covering a plethora of subjects from traffic to sports, along with stock and Global Positioning System navigation information.
"We are really excited to provide MSN Direct glanceable information in high-definition format and also to make it available to a whole new range of devices through HD Radio and our alliance with Clear Channel. MSN Direct is a great fit for the next generation of data-capable HD radios," said Eric Lang, general manager of the Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT) business group at Microsoft. "Clear Channel Radio has demonstrated its commitment to the aggressive rollout of HD digital radio, and will help further extend the MSN Direct-enabled product category and the realization of our vision of making everyday objects smarter through technology."
"Microsoft's SPOT initiative has illustrated its ability to turn personal objects into mobile tools with this impressive platform," said Jeff Littlejohn, executive vice president of Distribution and Development for Clear Channel Radio. "Combining Microsoft's existing technology and customer service background with Clear Channel's exceptional HD Radio delivery platform will provide customers with a world class data service."
The Redmond Company explained that the gearing of MSN Direct toward HD Radio is part of Microsoft's Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT) strategy. Additionally, Microsoft promised that consumer electronics companies and automotive manufacturers will benefit from the chance to introduce MSN Direct content in HD digital radio format in their products beginning the coming year.