REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 1, 2004 — Just in time for football season, Microsoft Corp. today added football content, including scores, standings, statistics and game information for the 2004–2005 season, to the MSN
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Direct sports channel.
“Football fans go to extreme lengths to follow the games, and now our customers will only have to look at their wrists. We’re excited to deliver more new content and features to Smart Watches with this new release of MSN Direct,” said Eric Lang, general manager of the Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT) initiative at Microsoft. “People are on the go and need to easily access information that is important to them, whether that’s getting a message from home, checking a sports score or seeing what the weather is like.”
Touchdown! MSN Direct Scores With Football Content
Sports fans can now feed their passion before, during and after the game with game updates and standings from MSN Direct. Sports fans can choose to receive updates from up to five of their favorite NFL teams and up to five of the 240 college football teams through the service. With content provided by ESPN, MSN Direct offers football lovers the following:
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Scores. Updates each quarter and after every score for games in progress
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Standings. Chosen teams’ standings in their division; standings for all playoff games, including Super Bowl and Pro Bowl standings
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Statistics. High passing, rushing and receiving statistics
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Game information. Teams playing, kickoff times, television schedules (where available), and pregame, game and post-game stories
The next time a football die-hard is away from the game, he or she can simply take a quick peek at the watch face to get the latest score or standing. Football is the third sport to be added to the MSN Direct sports channel, which already includes baseball and basketball (NBA, WNBA, NCAA men’s and NCAA women’s).
About-Face: MSN Direct Offers Downloadable Watch Faces
As a part of this content expansion, for a more personalized look, customers can now download up to two additional watch faces directly from http://www.msndirect.com, as well as previously released watch faces.
The new football content and downloadable watch faces complement existing MSN Direct channels, which include news, stocks, weather, trivia and sports information, personal messages, and reminders of calendar appointments. Subscribers choose the information they want to receive on their watch by visiting the MSN Direct Web site.
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. Only MSN Direct-ready devices can receive the MSN Direct service. To find out more about MSN Direct devices, services, pricing, coverage and availability, visit http://www.msndirect.com .
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