SPOT-On Weather Forecasts from Oregon Scientific and Microsoft

LAS VEGAS — Jan. 4, 2006 — Let’s talk about the weather. Today, Oregon Scientific unveiled the latest offering from its cornerstone family of weather products: the Complete Regional Weather Station with MSN® Direct. Combining a stylish form and an easy-to-read three-day weather forecast, this product represents Oregon Scientific’s commitment to providing professional-grade weather information to the masses, as well as MSN Direct’s latest evolution of SPOT technology and MSN Direct content.

“As the world’s leading innovator of timing and weather products, we are very pleased to present our latest product innovation developed together with Microsoft — our Regional Weather Station with MSN Direct,” said Paul Zimmerman, president of Oregon Scientific. “We’re proud to offer the world’s first weather station which provides such comprehensive information with remarkable ease-of-use.”

Put simply, the new weather station works flawlessly by just plugging it in. The device automatically and wirelessly receives extensive information over the MSN Direct network without relying on cables, sensors or complicated manuals and time-intensive set up. This unprecedented ease makes weather stations attractive to a whole new set of consumers who have previously avoided sensor-based weather gadgets.

“We are excited about the expansion of SPOT technology and MSN Direct content into new devices from Oregon Scientific,” said Eric Lang, general manager of the SPOT initiative at Microsoft. “Our network is ideally suited for delivering a wide variety of personalized location services at a low cost to the consumer, and we are proud to be working with an industry leader to continue the evolution of the SPOT vision, which is making everyday objects smarter through technology.”

Features Include:

  • Easy-to-read three day weather forecast and precipitation probability

  • Weather warnings, watches and advisories

  • Indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity

  • Clock and calendar

  • Temperature and humidity with trend indicator

  • Wind direction, wind speed and wind chill

  • Sunrise and sunset

  • Barometric pressure

  • Rain level

  • UV Index

About MSN Direct

MSN Direct, part of the Smart Personal Objects Technology initiative, is a specialized wireless service that delivers customized and personalized information to people. Those interested in learning more about MSN Direct can visit http://www.msndirect.com.

About Oregon Scientific

Founded in 1989, Oregon Scientific is headquartered in Tualatin; a quaint suburb of beautiful Portland, Oregon. Nestled amongst other Northwest technology giants, it is quickly becoming one of the world’s leading designers and marketers of upscale personal electronics.

Oregon Scientific offers six families of products, ranging from youth and learning to sports and fitness. Its devices couple innovative technology with fluid design, and feature advanced liquid-crystal displays (LCD). Built from its hallmark of timing and weather devices, Oregon Scientific is expanding to meet the diverse needs of its customers to enhance the way we live, work and play. Consider Oregon Scientific’s products as Technology Designed for Life.

Oregon Scientific is a division of one of the world’s premier electronics manufacturers, Integrated Display Technology, Ltd. (IDT), based in Hong Kong. IDT was founded in 1977 and is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as IDT Technology, and on the Singapore Exchange as I-Com.

IDT offers complete product development services to its OEM partners, from product concept to mass production, including custom LCD design, software development and product tooling.

For more information, please visit: www2.oregonscientific.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.

Microsoft and MSN 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.mspx.

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