Phone Scoop writes: “Microsoft this week announced a free beta client of MSN Direct for Windows Mobile Standard Edition in the form of a home screen plug-in. MSN Direct is best known for its SPOT watch technology, which is currently used to broadcast info to navigation and media devices using FM frequencies.”

“The new Windows Mobile client uses the Internet for data delivery instead of FM. The client currently supports news, weather, and stocks, displayed directly on the home screen. The software includes direct links to the web for more on each each bit of info. The beta client is available for free download today.”