MSN Direct Scores Home Run With 2004 Professional Baseball Season Content for Smart Watches

REDMOND, Wash., May 13, 2004 — Microsoft Corp. today added professional baseball season content for 2004 to MSN® Direct’s Sports Channel so subscribers can keep tabs on their favorite pastime while on the go.

Microsoft also added three new channels to MSN Direct that will allow subscribers to track their astrological future, discover whether those lucky lottery numbers finally have paid off, and even build their vocabulary, simply by glancing at their wrist. On top of the additional content, Microsoft is giving all yearly subscribers a special free offer of three bonus months of MSN Direct service.*

“Smart Watches are all about letting people choose exactly what they want to see on their wrists,”
said Eric Lang, general manager of the Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT) initiative at Microsoft.
“The combination of the expanded sports content with professional baseball and these new channels gives our subscribers even more information and options, and they can expect continued content enhancements and selections in the future.”

The new channels complement existing MSN Direct channels, which offer news, stocks, weather and sports information, personal messages and reminders of calendar appointments, and represent the second major expansion of the MSN Direct service since its launch in early January.

MSN Direct Puts Baseball Information on Subscribers’ Wrists

With MSN Direct’s 2004 Baseball Season, subscribers can access professional baseball scores, game previews and other content. Provided by ESPN, the content offers baseball lovers the following:

  • Scores. Updates each inning for games in progress*

  • Standings. American and National league division tables

  • Statistics. Wins, losses and saves for pitchers

  • Game information. Start times, television schedules (where available) and pregame stories

  • Alerts. Game-time reminders via Microsoft® Outlook® Calendar**

New MSN Direct Channels Offer More Fun

The latest additions give MSN Direct subscribers nine channels from which they can receive customized information. The new channels are these:

  • Daily Diversions. Provides amusing snippets of information from MSN Encarta® encyclopedia, including Born on this Day, This Day in History, Quote of the Day and Word of the Day

  • Lottery. Provides the latest results from state and national lotteries selected by the subscriber (available only in states that offer lotteries)

  • Horoscopes. Offers fun, insightful daily predictions from MSN Astrology

As with other MSN Direct content, subscribers choose the information they want to receive on their watch by visiting the MSN Direct Web site ( http://www.msndirect.com/ ).

Thank-You and Welcome: Microsoft Offers Three Free Months of MSN Direct

As a thank-you to current subscribers and an incentive to those who haven’t yet signed up, Microsoft is offering an additional three free months of MSN Direct service to all yearly subscribers. The subscription price is $59 for a full year (with three months free)* or $9.95 a month (with the first month’s subscription free).

About MSN Direct

MSN Direct, part of the Smart Personal Objects Technology initiative, is a new, specialized wireless service that combines technology and fashion to deliver customized and personalized information to people. Those interested in learning more about MSN Direct can 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.

* You will need a subscription to the MSN Direct service to take full advantage of all watch features. Subscribing to MSN Internet Software or MSN Dial-Up is not required to access MSN Direct. MSN Direct is available to residents in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada. To receive MSN Direct on an MSN Direct-ready device, you must be within an MSN Direct coverage area; check the current coverage maps available at http://www.msndirect.com/ . Internet access is required for the online activation of your MSN Direct account. A major credit or debit card is required. Activation and service charges will apply. Following your trial period, the then-current price for the standard monthly or annual prepaid MSN Direct service plan will be automatically charged to your credit card until you cancel your subscription. Prices are subject to change. Regular charging of watch is required for use. SAFETY FIRST: Watches can be worn anywhere, so use the service sensibly and safely.

** Synchronization may be affected by reception limitations of the FM network as well as other factors, which may affect the ability to receive FM broadcasts. Separate download required.

Microsoft, MSN, Outlook and Encarta are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp .

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