Editing Smart Personal Objects Technology

{{Short description|Discontinued intelligent technology standard}}
{{About|Microsoft SPOT initiative||.NET Micro Framework}}
[[File:Melitta ME1MSB Smart Mill and Brew with SPOT.jpeg|150px|thumb|right|A [[Melitta]] drip [[coffeemaker]] displaying a weather forecast on an [[electronic visual display]] powered by SPOT]]
The '''Smart Personal Objects Technology''' ('''SPOT''') is a discontinued initiative by [[Microsoft]] to create intelligent and personal [[home appliance]]s, [[consumer electronics]], and other objects through new hardware capabilities and software features.

Development of SPOT began as an incubation project initiated by the [[Microsoft Research]] division.<ref name="Thurrott">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/article/mobile-computing-devices/smart-personal-object-technology-spot-preview-127881 |title=Smart Personal Object Technology (SPOT) Preview |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |date=January 16, 2003 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721001244/http://www.winsupersite.com/article/mobile-computing-devices/smart-personal-object-technology-spot-preview-127881 |archivedate=July 21, 2011 |publisher=[[Penton (company)|Penton]] |work=SuperSite for Windows |accessdate=April 22, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Q&A2003">{{cite web |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2003/01/09/qa-microsoft-and-watch-making-partners-announce-first-smart-personal-objects-technology-wristwatches/ |title=Q&A: Microsoft and Watch-making Partners Announce First Smart Personal Objects Technology Wristwatches |date=January 9, 2003 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=News Center |accessdate=April 23, 2015}}</ref><ref name="MicrosoftCES2003">{{cite web |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2003/01/09/microsoft-presents-smart-personal-objects-technology-spot-based-wristwatches-at-ces/ |title=Microsoft Presents Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT)-Based Wristwatches at CES |date=January 9, 2003 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=News Center |accessdate=April 28, 2015}}</ref> SPOT was first announced by [[Bill Gates]] at the [[COMDEX]] computer exposition event in 2002,<ref name="SPOT">{{cite web |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2002/11/17/microsoft-launches-smart-personal-object-technology-initiative/ |title=Microsoft Launches Smart Personal Object Technology Initiative |date=November 17, 2002 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=News Center |accessdate=April 22, 2015}}</ref> and additional details were revealed by Microsoft at the 2003 [[Consumer Electronics Show]] where Gates demonstrated a set of prototype [[smartwatch]]es—the first type of device that would support the technology.<ref name="Thurrott"/><ref name="WashingtonPost">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/technology/articles/CES_2003.htm |title=Web Special: Consumer Electronics Show 2003 |last=Walker |first=Leslie |date=January 16, 2003 |publisher=[[Jeff Bezos|Nash Holdings]] |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |accessdate=April 22, 2015}}</ref>  Unlike more recent technologies, SPOT did not use more traditional forms of connectivity, such as [[3G]] or [[Wi-Fi]], but relied on [[FM broadcasting]] [[subcarrier]] [[transmission (telecommunications)|transmission]] as a method of data distribution.<ref name="AtariConnection">{{cite web |url=http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/53284-microsofts-spot-the-atari-connection |title=Microsoft's SPOT: The Atari Connection |last=Hachman |first=Mark |date=January 31, 2003 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis Media]] |work=[[ExtremeTech]] |accessdate=April 22, 2015}}</ref><ref name="ArsTechnica">{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/09/11/lessons-learned-from-microsofts-pioneering-and-standalone-smartwatches/ |title=Lessons learned from Microsoft's pioneering—and standalone—smartwatches |last=Bright |first=Peter |date=September 11, 2014 |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |work=[[Ars Technica]] |accessdate=April 28, 2015}}</ref>

While several types of electronics would eventually support the technology throughout its lifecycle, SPOT was considered a [[commercial failure]]. Reasons that have been cited for its failure include its [[subscription business model|subscription-based business model]], support limited to [[North America]], the emergence of more efficient and popular forms of data distribution, and mobile feature availability that surpasses the features that SPOT offered.<ref name="ArsTechnica"/>

==History==

===Development===
Development of SPOT began as an incubation project led by Microsoft engineer, Bill Mitchell, and initiated by the Microsoft Research division.<ref name="Thurrott"/><ref name="Q&A2003"/><ref name="MicrosoftCES2003"/> Mitchell would enlist the help of Larry Karr, president of SCA Data Systems, to develop the project. Karr had previously worked in the 1980s to develop technology for [[Atari]] that would distribute games in a manner distinct from the company's competitors; Karr proposed FM broadcasting subcarrier transmission as a method of distribution, technology which would also be used by Microsoft's SPOT.<ref name="AtariConnection"/><ref name="PCWorld">{{cite web |url=http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/48208/ces_-_microsoft_spot_technology_has_humble_origins/ |title=CES - Microsoft's SPOT technology has humble origins |last=Niccolai |first=James |date=January 13, 2003 |publisher=[[IDG]] |work=[[PC World]] |accessdate=April 22, 2015 |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125214110/http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/48208/ces_-_microsoft_spot_technology_has_humble_origins/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Microsoft Research and SCA Data Systems would ultimately develop the [[DirectBand]] subcarrier technology for SPOT.<ref name="SCA">{{cite web |url=http://scadata.com/clients.htm |author=SCA Data Systems Inc. |title=Clients |accessdate=April 22, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Wired">{{citation |title=How Microsoft Lost the Wrist-Top |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |volume=18 |issue=7 |page=27 |last=Baker |first=Chris |date=July 2010}}</ref> [[National Semiconductor]] would aid in the development of device [[chipset]]s, which would feature an [[ARM7]] [[CPU]] and [[ROM]], [[static random-access memory|SRAM]], and a 100&nbsp;[[MHz]] [[RF module|RF receiver chip]].<ref name="Q&A2003"/>

SPOT was unveiled by Bill Gates at the annual COMDEX computer exposition event in fall of 2002.<ref name="SPOT"/> Gates stated that "new devices and technologies will help bring about the next computing revolution" and demonstrated [[refrigerator magnet]]s that displayed the current time and [[score (sport)|sports scores]], and an [[alarm clock]] that could display a list of upcoming appointments, [[traffic reporting|traffic updates]], and [[weather forecasts]].<ref name="BBC">{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2487787.stm |title=Bill Gates spots the next big thing |last=Anderson |first=Kevin |date=November 18, 2002 |publisher=[[BBC]] |work=[[BBC News]] |accessdate=April 22, 2015}}</ref><ref name="MS-COMDEX">{{cite web |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2002/11/17/at-comdex-bill-gates-reports-on-state-of-the-digital-decade/ |title=At COMDEX, Bill Gates Reports on State of the 'Digital Decade' |date=November 17, 2002 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=News Center |accessdate=April 22, 2015}}</ref><ref name="ExtremeTech">{{cite web |url=http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/52564-gates-proposes-webenabled-alarm-clocks |title=Gates Proposes Web-Enabled Alarm Clocks |last=Hachman |first=Mark |date=November 18, 2002 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |work=[[ExtremeTech]] |accessdate=April 22, 2015}}</ref>

[[File:MicrosoftXeelSlide.png|thumb|right|Microsoft's "XEEL" remote concept aimed to provide a consistent navigation experience across various device types including SPOT devices.<ref name="Intuitive">{{cite web |url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/f/1/cf1806ad-5a4f-4f7d-a5b2-07fdb59a7adb/WH03_TPA12.exe |title=Designing Intuitive Hardware Controls |last=Bear |first=Eric |date=2003 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |format=EXE |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030808211422/http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/f/1/cf1806ad-5a4f-4f7d-a5b2-07fdb59a7adb/WH03_TPA12.exe |archivedate=August 8, 2003 |accessdate=March 11, 2017}}</ref>]]
At the Consumer Electronics Show of 2003, Microsoft announced that [[wristwatch]]es would be the first type of device to utilize the technology in a partnership with watch manufacturers [[Citizen Watch Co.]], [[Fossil Group|Fossil]], and [[Suunto]].<ref name="Thurrott"/><ref name="WashingtonPost"/><ref name="CES2003SPOT">{{cite web |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2003/01/09/microsoft-presents-smart-personal-objects-technology-spot-based-wristwatches-at-ces/ |title=Microsoft Presents Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT)-Based Wristwatches at CES |date=January 9, 2003 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=News Center |accessdate=May 23, 2015}}</ref><ref name="More">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/09/technology/09SOFT.html |title=A Microsoft Watch Will Provide Much More Than Time |last=Hansell |first=Saul |date=January 9, 2003 |work=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=May 23, 2015}}</ref> Bill Gates also demonstrated a set of prototype smart watches.<ref name="BBC2003">{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2641265.stm |title=All you need to know, on your wrist |last=Hermida |first=Alfred |date=January 9, 2003 |publisher=[[BBC]] |work=[[BBC News]] |accessdate=April 22, 2015}}</ref> SPOT was not Microsoft's first foray into the smartwatch business—the company previously co-developed the [[Timex Datalink]] with [[Timex Group|Timex]] in 1994.<ref name="TIME-Timex">{{cite web |url=https://techland.time.com/2010/07/08/great-moments-in-geek-history-the-timex-datalink-watch/ |title=Great Moments in Geek History: The Timex Datalink Watch |last=Aamoth |first=Doug |date=July 8, 2010 |publisher=[[Time Inc.]] |work=[[Time Magazine]] |access-date=April 28, 2015}}</ref> During CES, Microsoft claimed that the first SPOT-based smartwatches would be released in the fall of that year;<ref name="CES2003SPOT"/> the company would also release a promotional video that displayed an estimated delivery time of fall 2003,<ref name="SPOT-Video">{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/resources/spot/video/spot_web_broadband_256K.wmv |title=Microsoft SPOT Web Broadband Video |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=Microsoft SPOT |format=WMV  |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030207095857/http://www.microsoft.com/resources/spot/video/spot_web_broadband_256K.wmv |archivedate=February 7, 2003 |accessdate=June 1, 2015}}</ref> but the first devices would be delayed until the beginning of 2004.<ref name="MicrosoftDelays">{{cite web |url=http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/55326-microsoft-partners-delay-spot-watches |title=Microsoft, Partners Delay SPOT Watches |last=Hachman |first=Mark |date=November 14, 2003 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |work=[[ExtremeTech]] |accessdate=May 23, 2015}}</ref><ref name="SPOTHitsStores">{{cite web |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/113897/article.html |title=Microsoft SPOT Watches Hit Stores |last2=Evers |first2=Joris |last1=Niccolai |first1=James |date=December 16, 2003 |publisher=[[IDG]] |work=[[PCWorld]] |accessdate=May 23, 2015 |archive-date=May 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519055730/http://www.pcworld.com/article/113897/article.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="RegisterDelayed">{{cite web |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/11/17/microsoft_spot_watches_delayed/ |title=Microsoft SPOT watches delayed |last=Smith |first=Tony |date=November 17, 2003 |publisher=Situation Publishing |work=[[The Register]] |accessdate=May 23, 2015}}</ref>

At the [[Windows Hardware Engineering Conference]] of 2003, Gates unveiled a new set of hardware-based navigational controls codenamed XEEL, designed to create a consistent navigation experience across [[Windows]]-based devices, such as [[smart phones]], [[tablet computer|tablet PCs]], and those powered by SPOT.<ref name="BillGatesWinHEC2003">{{cite web |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2003/05/06/bill-gates-unveils-next-wave-of-windows-pc-innovation-at-winhec-2003/ |title=Bill Gates Unveils Next Wave of Windows PC Innovation at WinHEC 2003 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=News Center |date=May 6, 2003 |accessdate=March 12, 2015}}</ref><ref name="DirectionsOnMicrosoft">{{cite web |url=http://directionsonmicrosoft.com/sample/DOMIS/update/2003/06jun/0603mtofoc.htm |title=Message to OEMs: Focus on Consumers |last=Rosoff |first=Matt |date=May 19, 2003 |publisher=Directions on Microsoft |archivedate=June 2, 2003 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030602055949/http://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/sample/DOMIS/update/2003/06jun/0603mtofoc.htm |accessdate=April 23, 2015}}</ref> Microsoft intended for XEEL to create a consistent navigation experience across hardware devices that equaled the software interface navigation consistency introduced by the [[mouse (computing)|mouse]] [[scroll wheel]].<ref name="WillPoole">{{cite web |url=http://news.microsoft.com/speeches/speech-transcript-will-poole-windows-hardware-engineering-conference-winhec-2003/ |title=Speech Transcript – Will Poole, Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2003 |date=May 7, 2003 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=News Center |accessdate=April 22, 2015}}</ref>

In June 2003, Microsoft unveiled its [[MSN Direct]] wireless service developed specifically for SPOT, which would be made available across North America. The company stated that the service would enable the delivery of personalized information on devices and, as an example of this functionality, would allow users to receive messages sent from [[MSN Messenger]] or calendar appointment reminders from [[Microsoft Outlook]].<ref name="MSNDirect">{{cite web |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2003/06/04/microsoft-announces-wireless-service-plans-for-smart-watches-available-this-fall/ |title=Microsoft Announces Wireless Service Plans For Smart Watches Available This Fall |date=June 4, 2003 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=News Center |accessdate=April 23, 2015}}</ref><ref name="ABCNews">{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=97621 |title=A Wristwatch of Wireless Data |last=Preston |first=Cheri |date=June 13, 2003 |publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company]] |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |accessdate=April 27, 2015}}</ref> MSN Direct would use a subscription-based business model, available through monthly or yearly service plans.<ref name="MSNDirect"/><ref name="SharesDetails">{{cite web |url=http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,111035,00.asp |title=Microsoft Shares Smart Watch Details |last=Evers |first=Joris |date=June 5, 2003 |publisher=[[IDG]] |work=[[PCWorld]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030622193157/http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,111035,00.asp |archivedate=June 22, 2003 |accessdate=May 23, 2015}}</ref> MSN Direct relied on the DirectBand subcarrier technology developed by Microsoft in conjunction with SCA Data Systems.<ref name="SCA"/>

===Release===
The first devices to make use of SPOT were released in 2004 by Fossil and Suunto.<ref name="Wired"/><ref name="SmartWatchesMSNDirect">{{cite web |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2004/01/07/smart-watches-for-msn-direct-ship-to-retail/ |title=Smart Watches for MSN Direct Ship to Retail |date=January 7, 2004 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=News Center |accessdate=April 27, 2015}}</ref> [[Tissot]] would later introduce the first compatible watch to feature a [[touchscreen]],<ref name="Register-Tissot">{{cite web |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/07/28/ms_direct_tissot/ |title=Tissot preps pricey Microsoft data watch |last=Smith |first=Tony |date=July 28, 2004 |publisher=Situation Publishing |work=[[The Register]] |accessdate=April 27, 2015}}</ref><ref name="TissotEvers">{{cite web |url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/2665258/operating-systems/tissot-offers-msn-direct-watches.html |title=Tissot offers MSN Direct watches |last=Evers |first=Joris |date=July 26, 2004 |publisher=[[IDG]] |work=[[InfoWorld]] |accessdate=April 27, 2015}}</ref> and [[Swatch]] would release the first compatible watch, largely tailored towards younger consumers.<ref name="Swatch">{{cite web |url=http://windowsitpro.com/systems-management/swatch-hits-spot-new-watch |title=Swatch Hits the SPOT with New Watch |last2=Furman |first2=Keith |last1=Thurrott |first1=Paul |date=October 25, 2004 |publisher=[[Penton (company)|Penton]] |work=SuperSite for Windows |accessdate=April 27, 2015}}</ref><ref name="CNETSwatch">{{cite web |url=http://www.cnet.com/products/swatch-paparazzi/ |title=Swatch Paparazzi review |last=Neal |first=William |date=February 10, 2005 |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |work=[[CNET]] |accessdate=April 27, 2015}}</ref> As smartwatches were the first type of devices to make use of the technology, they became the ''de facto'' type of device that represented it.

In 2006, [[Oregon Scientific]] released the second type of SPOT device, a weather station that displayed regional weather forecasts and other various types of information.<ref name="Oregon">{{cite web |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2006/01/04/spot-on-weather-forecasts-from-oregon-scientific-and-microsoft/ |title=SPOT-On Weather Forecasts from Oregon Scientific and Microsoft |date=January 4, 2006 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=News Center |accessdate=April 28, 2015}}</ref> A second generation of smartwatches was also released, and were designed to address the shortcomings observed in first generation models.<ref name="MicrosoftTimes">{{cite web |url=http://news.cnet.com/Microsoft-watch-keeps-up-with-the-times/2100-1041_3-6083432.html |title=Microsoft watch keeps up with the times |last=Carnoy |first=David |date=June 13, 2006 |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |work=[[CNET]] |accessdate=April 28, 2015}}</ref> Later that year, Melitta released the third type of device to utilize the technology: a coffee maker that displayed weather forecasts on an electronic visual display.<ref name="Coffee">{{cite web |url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/2006/09/19/now-brewing-a-microsoft-powered-coffee-maker/ |title=Now brewing: A Microsoft-powered coffee maker |last=Bishop |first=Todd |date=September 19, 2006 |publisher=[[Hearst Corporation]] |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |accessdate=April 28, 2015}}</ref> [[Garmin]] released the first SPOT-compatible [[GPS]] navigation units in 2007.<ref name="MicrosoftGarmin">{{cite web |url=http://mcpmag.com/articles/2007/01/09/microsoft-and-garmin-aim-to-hit-the-spot.aspx |title=Microsoft and Garmin Aim To Hit the Spot |last=Johnston |first=Stuart |date=January 9, 2007 |publisher=1105 Media Inc. |work=Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine |accessdate=April 28, 2015}}</ref>

In early 2008, Microsoft announced that MSN Direct would be available for [[Windows Mobile]],<ref name="WindowsMobile">{{cite web |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2008/02/11/msn-direct-now-available-for-windows-mobile-devices/ |title=MSN Direct Now Available for Windows Mobile Devices |date=February 11, 2008 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=News Center |accessdate=May 3, 2015}}</ref><ref name="WindowsMobileEngadget">{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/msn-direct-now-on-windows-mobile/ |title=MSN Direct now on Windows Mobile |last=Patel |first=Nilay |date=February 11, 2008 |publisher=[[AOL]] |work=[[Engadget]] |accessdate=May 4, 2015}}</ref> and in early 2009, the service would receive additional location-based enhancements.<ref name="AdvancedLocation">{{cite web |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2009/01/08/msn-direct-expands-gps-navigation-services-and-partner-ecosystem/ |title=MSN Direct Expands GPS Navigation Services and Partner Ecosystem |date=January 8, 2009 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=News Center |accessdate=May 4, 2015}}</ref>

===Discontinuation===
Production of SPOT watches ceased in 2008.<ref name="Wired"/><ref name="CNET">{{cite web |url=http://www.cnet.com/news/time-runs-out-on-microsofts-spot-watches/ |title=Time runs out on Microsoft's SPOT watches |last=Carnoy |first=David |date=April 23, 2008 |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |work=[[CNET]] |accessdate=April 23, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Jetsons">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/02/technology/business-computing/02compute.html |title=Microsoft Mapping Course to a Jetsons-Style Future |last=Vance |first=Ashlee |author-link=Ashlee Vance |date=March 1, 2009 |work=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=April 23, 2015}}</ref><ref name="SPOT2004-2008">{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/04/23/spot-watches-r-i-p-2004-2008/ |title=SPOT watches, R.I.P.: 2004 - 2008 |last=Ziegler |first=Chris |date=April 23, 2008 |publisher=[[AOL]] |work=[[Engadget]] |accessdate=April 23, 2015}}</ref><ref name="TheRegister">{{cite web |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04/28/ms_unwinds_spot/ |title=Microsoft winds down smart wristwatch |last=Smith |first=Tony |date=April 28, 2008 |publisher=Situation Publishing |work=[[The Register]] |accessdate=April 27, 2015}}</ref> In 2009, Microsoft announced that it would discontinue the MSN Direct service at the beginning of 2012.<ref name="2009Discontinue">{{cite web |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/174581/article.html |title=Microsoft to Discontinue MSN Direct |last=Gohring |first=Nancy |date=October 28, 2009 |publisher=[[IDG]] |work=[[PCWorld]] |accessdate=April 26, 2015}}</ref> The company stated that this decision was due to decreased demand for the service and because of the emergence of more efficient and popular forms of data distribution, such as [[Wi-Fi]].<ref name="2009Discontinue"/><ref name="MSNDirectServiceAnnouncement">{{cite web |url=http://www.msndirect.com/MSNDirectServiceAnnouncement.aspx |title=MSN Direct Service Announcement |date=2011 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111109133756/https://www.msndirect.com/MSNDirectServiceAnnouncement.aspx |archivedate=November 9, 2011 |accessdate=April 23, 2015}}</ref> The MSN Direct service continued to support existing SPOT devices until transmissions ceased on January 1, 2012.<ref name="Wired"/><ref name="MSNDirectServiceAnnouncement"/><ref name="SwitchedOff">{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/2/2677369/microsoft-msn-direct-shutdown |title=MSN Direct switched off on schedule, some Garmin navigators affected |last=Ziegler |first=Chris |date=January 2, 2012 |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |work=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>

==Overview==
SPOT extended functionality of traditional devices to include features not originally envisaged for them; a SPOT-powered coffeemaker, for example, would be able to display information such as weather forecasts on an electronic visual display.<ref name="ArsTechnica"/> Smartwatches featured digital watch displays, referred to as ''Channels'', that presented information in a manner that could be customized by a user—a user could also specify the default channel to be displayed; this feature was functionally analogous with a [[home screen]] commonly seen in [[mobile operating system]]s. Additional channels could be [[download]]ed from a specialized website,<ref name="Thurrott"/><ref name="MicrosoftCES2003"/> and a ''Glance'' feature would allow a user to cycle through downloaded information.<ref name="Thurrott"/><ref name="SPOTWatchFirstLook">{{cite web |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1427911,00.asp |title=SPOT Watch First Look |last=Miller |first=Michael |date=January 7, 2004 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |work=[[PCMag]] |accessdate=April 28, 2015}}</ref>

Manufacturers could also add their own features to SPOT-based devices;<ref name="ArsTechnica"/> as an example, a manufacturer could create its own smartwatch channel in order to distinguish its product from a competitor's product.<ref name="Thurrott"/> Each SPOT-based device included a [[unique identifier|unique identification number]] used to enable secure [[authentication]] and [[encryption]] of DirectBand signals. Microsoft also reportedly considered an alarm function for SPOT-based smartwatches that would activate in the event of theft.<ref name="Thurrott"/>

SPOT relied on the [[.NET Micro Framework]] for the creation and management of embedded device [[firmware]].<ref name="WhatIs">{{cite web |url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc533012.aspx |title=What Is the .NET Micro Framework? |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=[[MSDN]] |date=September 2009 |accessdate=April 28, 2015}}</ref> This technology would later be used for the [[Windows SideShow]] feature introduced in [[Windows Vista]], which shares design similarities with SPOT.<ref name="WhatIs"/><ref name="SPOTLonghorn">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/mikehall/archive/2005/02/14/372799.aspx |title=SPOT to be Found in Windows Longhorn |last=Hall |first=Mike |date=February 14, 2005 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=MSDN Blogs |accessdate=October 22, 2015}}</ref><ref name="CodeMagazine">{{cite web |url=http://www.codemag.com/article/0512122 |title=Unveiling Windows SideShow |last=Egger |first=Markus |publisher=Code Magazine |work=EPS Software |accessdate=April 22, 2015}}</ref> In 2007, five years after SPOT was announced, Microsoft released the first [[software development kit]] for the .NET Micro Framework.<ref name="SPOT-SDK">{{cite web |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2007/02/13/microsoft-net-micro-framework-is-now-available/ |title=Microsoft .NET Micro Framework Is Now Available |date=February 13, 2007 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=News Center |accessdate=May 23, 2015}}</ref><ref name="SPOT-SDK1105">{{cite web |url=https://mcpmag.com/articles/2007/02/13/see-spot-develop----apps-that-is.aspx |title=See SPOT Develop . . . Apps, That Is |last=Johnston |first=Stuart |date=February 13, 2007 |publisher=1105 Media Inc. |work=Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine |accessdate=May 23, 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Internet of things]]
* [[.NET Framework]]
* [[.NET Compact Framework]]
* [[Microsoft Band]]
* [[Smart Display]]
* [[Windows CE]]
* [[Windows SideShow]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Microsoft}}


[[Category:Discontinued Microsoft products]]
[[Category:Microsoft initiatives]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 2002]]
[[Category:Products and services discontinued in 2012]]
[[Category:Smart devices]]
[[Category:Smartphones]]
[[Category:Smartwatches]]