Summary: Microsoft keeps swatting its products that don't perform well (i.e. bring no income) and MSN Direct is the latest victim

OUR list of dead Microsoft divisions or Microsoft products keeps growing at a pace of about two per month. It cannot be denied that Microsoft is a shrinking company. The latest addition to the list is MSN Direct, which Microsoft is to pull the plug on.

Microsoft ditches MSN Direct

MSN Direct, Microsoft's data broadcast network, is to be switched off in 2012, leaving literally dozens of users bereft of updates and another Microsoft initiative in the dust.

For future reference, more coverage can be found in:

• MSN Direct will shut down in 2012
• MSN Direct Goes Dark
• Microsoft pulls plug on MSN direct, maybe on your GPS device, too
• Microsoft to shut down MSN Direct traffic service for GPS
• Microsoft Finally Laying MSN Direct to Bed in 2012
• This is the end, my only friend (for MSN Direct wireless data service)
• Microsoft to discontinue MSN Direct
• MSN Direct to Be Shut Down in 2012
• Microsoft Pulling The Plug On MSN Direct In 2012
• Microsoft's MSN Direct service to shut down in 2012
• 2012 Apocalypse Confirmed by Microsoft for MSN Direct Service
• MSN Direct to shut down in 2012
• Farewell to MSN Direct, in 2012
• MSN Direct service to shut down Jan. 1, 2012
• R.I.P. MSN Direct: 2004-2012

With cancellations of products usually come staff redundancies. More large-scale layoffs are rumoured to be coming soon. ⬆