Joe Levi presents Greener Living through Technology

I was pulled over by Clearfield Police while on my way home from work. Details are posted over on SittingDuckPolicy.com.

I blame Brian Marston.

It looks like I’ll need to get a new watch before then end of 2011.

At the end of 2011, Microsoft’s “MSN Direct” (formerly known as S.P.O.T. or SPOT) service will be discontinued.

MSN Direct enabled devices used a subscription model to have data pushed to them via unused FM spectrum. This data included local weather, local time, stock quotes, breaking news, movie times and locations, traffic information, gas prices, and even let you get your calendar information and instant messages pushed to supporting devices.

The technology was included in home weather stations, some GPS devices, and even wrist watches (I have one on my wrist right now).

Limitations to the technology included limited coverage, slow data speeds, and limited adoption. The real nail in the coffin, however, was the seeming ubiquity of other data services such as WiFi, the upcoming WiMax, and cellular data plans.

Microsoft has not announced a replacement service or any new partnerships with device manufactures.

(Hat tip to Mike Dopp for the link.)

Yes, folks, the day that you’ve been waiting for is almost here: Google Maps with GPS Navigation features.

Before you start flaming me with messages like “you’ve been able to GPS navigate with Google Maps for a long time now” just hang on. This is basically Tom-Tom-style navigation by Google.

That’s the good news. Now, the bad news: it’s only for Android 2.0 devices (read: none, as of this writing). When it is eventually released, just like Google Maps today, Google promises the Navigation version to be free (but will require a data-enabled service plan, which may not be free).

What I’d really like to see is Waze-style social networking built in. I don’t want to give up the ability to report a road hazard, speed trap, or real-time heavy traffic, all things I’ve gotten used to with Waze, but I really want the satellite navigation, and street-view of upcoming turns are game changers.

Take a look at some of the videos: