“avoid ghetto” feature for GPS devices

If this very recent patent apparently awarded to Microsoft ever finds its way into devices as a navication app, I would imagine there would be a fair amount of interest and opinions generated, both positive and negative.

CBS Seattle press release

Microsoft's patent link

Good heavens -- I am SURE that I have never seen a patent with as many prior art citations as this one has. More freaking references than pages in a Tolstoy novel.

IF the 'unsafe territory' classification for an area can be backed up statistically from local Crimes Against Persons data, it'll be an interesting dogfight between local municipalities who think they've been wronged vs. Microsoft -- in court.

Maybe they can give us a menu option for displaying school district ratings and property values!

Yeah, a Zillow app? <g>

That will never fly! Way too much red tape...