REDMOND, Wash. — Nov. 16, 2006 — Just in time for the holidays, the Melitta® Smart Mill & Brew™ with MSN® Direct has officially hit retail stores. The first coffee maker to display real-time weather information incorporates Microsoft Corp.’s Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT).
Manufactured by Salton Inc., a leading domestic designer, marketer and distributor of a broad range of branded, high-quality small appliances, this new coffee maker automatically detects current weather conditions, the day’s forecast, probability for precipitation, and sunrise and sunset times, without the need for outdoor sensors, through MSN Direct.* And it brews a great cup of coffee from either whole beans or ground coffee.
“We are all busy people, constantly on the go. Everyone needs up-to-date weather information, and this is a fun, new way to get weather with a quick glance,” said Eric Lang, general manager of the SPOT initiative at Microsoft. “With the Melitta Smart Mill & Brew Coffee Maker, we are extending the MSN Direct-enabled product category and realizing our vision of making everyday objects smarter through technology.”
Other products that have featured the MSN Direct weather content include Smart Watches with MSN Direct and the Oregon Scientific Weather Station with MSN Direct.
“The addition of weather information to our Melitta Mill & Brew coffee makers greatly enhances the customer experience in that the entire process is simple, automatic and easy,” said Leonhard Dreimann, chief executive officer of Salton. “We are pleased to be working with Microsoft and our retail partners on this fun and functional product that combines two of the things that we want most when we start our days — coffee and weather.”
Customers can now purchase the Melitta Smart & Brew with MSN Direct online at Amazon.com and through Sharper Image stores, catalog and online offerings for $199.99 (estimated retail price**; all prices are U.S. dollars). The MSN Direct content is automatically included in the purchase price.
This easy-to-use coffee maker features an automatic whole bean grinding function, simple-pour water reservoir, warming plate with auto shut-off, permanent stainless steel filter basket, and large LCD display with bright blue backlight.
More information about the product can be found at http://www.YourGrindRedefined.com.
About Salton
Salton, a leading domestic designer, marketer and distributor of a broad range of branded, high quality small appliances under such well-recognized brand names as Salton®, George Foreman™, Toastmaster®, Breadman®, Juiceman®, Westinghouse®, Farberware®, Melitta®, Russell Hobbs®, Tower®, and Haden®. Those interested in learning more about Salton and the Melitta® brand can visit http://www.saltoninc.com.
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 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.
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