Coming soon Microsoft GPS

Apparently Microsoft has decided to expand into the world of GPS (global positioning systems). I can see why this would be an attractive move for them to get into this market, however I for one have no intentions of riding. flying or having any interaction with anything that will be relying on Microsoft hardware/software used for GPS. That is just frighting.

Looks like Microsoft is getting into the business of making global positioning systems. The device called, the GPS Locator is combined with the latest version of Microsoft Streets & Trips 2005, the popular travel and mapping software for the United States and Canada. It is powered by SiRF’s SiRFstarIIe/LP GPS chipset. “Microsoft’s decision to include a GPS receiver with its software is evidence that demand for GPS functionality is in the mainstream,” according to Kanwar Chadha, founder and vice president of marketing for SiRF Technology. I am pretty sure this won’t be a long lasting device. Despite making great hardware (have you tried them Starck mice?) Microsoft does not stick around very long. For instance, I loved their WiFi equipment, but they couldn’t crack the market. I hope they have more success with this GPS device. I think the whole trend of commoditization is allowing companies like Microsoft to use cheap hardware to push the sales of their software, in this case the Microsoft Streets & Trips.